The Purple Onion (Toronto) facts for kids
| Address | 35 Avenue Road Toronto Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°40′13.99″N 79°23′40.77″W / 43.6705528°N 79.3946583°W |
| Owner | Barry Witkin, Sam Gutmacher, Al Lastman and Mel Isen |
| Type | Coffeehouse |
| Genre(s) | Folk music |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Closed | 1965 |
The Purple Onion Coffee House was a cool place where people went to listen to music. It was located at 35 Avenue Road in the Yorkville area of Toronto, Canada. This popular spot was open from 1960 to 1965. It was especially famous for its folk music performances.
History of the Purple Onion
The Purple Onion was started in 1960 by four friends: Barry Witkin, Sam Gutmacher, Al Lastman, and Mel Isen. It was one of the very first coffee houses to open in the lively Yorkville neighborhood. The owners put their money together to rent the building for about $750 each month. Visitors would pay a small fee to become club members and then another small fee, usually between $1.50 and $3, to enter.
Back then, there were strict rules about selling alcohol. Because of these rules, the Purple Onion did not have a license to sell alcoholic drinks. This meant no alcohol was served there.
Famous Folk Music Performances
The Purple Onion quickly became a very important place for the folk music scene. Many famous singers performed there when they were just starting their careers. These included Buffy Sainte Marie, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, and Gordon Lightfoot.
It's also believed that the famous singer Carly Simon performed there early in her career. She sang as a duo with her sister, Lucy Simon. Even musicians from outside Canada, like Judy Collins, came to play at the Purple Onion.
The "Universal Soldier" Song
One of the most famous stories about the Purple Onion happened in 1963. The talented singer Buffy Sainte Marie wrote her famous song "Universal Soldier" right in the coffee house's basement! This song later became very well-known when it was recorded by the artist Donovan.
