Digitization of CNE Grandstand Stage Show Audio Tapes

In 2009 the Canadian National Exhibition Archives received a grant from the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust’s Music Memories Program to digitize approximately 28,200 feet of 1/4-inch open reel audio tapes of Grandstand stage shows, dating from 1952, 1957 to 1959 and 1961 to 1968. These audio tapes are the only recordings of these performances known to be in existence.

The Grandstand stage shows of the post Second World War era up until 1968 were musical variety shows featuring both Canadian and American entertainers. The headliners were often American, such as Bob Hope, Ed Sullivan or Tony Martin. But virtually all of the other entertainers were Canadian, including Howard Cable and his orchestra, composer Dr. Healey Willan, Evelyn Gould, Teresa Stratas, Billy Van, Jon Vickers, Don Harron, Catherine McKinnon, Bobby Vinton, Max Ferguson, and The Four Lads, just to name a few.  In 1969, the Grandstand format changed, switching from variety shows that ran each night during the CNE to nightly concerts performed by a changing line up of international artists. 

A sampling of tracks from the Grandstand audio tapes have been made available on this website.  Complete tracks of the Grandstand stage shows are available to researchers visiting the CNE Archives by appointment only.

1952 Grandstand Show

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1957 Grandstand Show           Howard Cable                         Bob Hope

Fall Fantasia Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:51, 8.58MB .wav)

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1958 Grandstand Show

Music Medley Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:42, 7.07MB .wav)

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1959 Grandstand Show            Howard Cable                        George Gobel

O' Canada Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (1:20, 13.4MB .wav)

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                The Canadettes                       The Six Singing Cadegans
1961 Grandstand Show                    

Hey, Mr. Policeman Canadettes And Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:57, 9.71MB .wav)

Red River Rose The Six Singing Cadegans (:37, 6.36MB .wav)

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1962 Grandstand Show       Teresa Stratus              The Canadiana Singers and Dancers

Golden Encores Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:41, 6.84MB .wav)

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1963 Grandstand Show

This Is All I Ask Robert Goulet (:54, 9.13MB .wav)

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   Canadiana Singers and Dancers

1964 Grandstand Show

At the CNE Canadiana Singers And Dancers With Jack Carter (:41, 7.00MB .wav)

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1965 Grandstand Show         The Womenfolk

Bring Me A Rose The Womenfolk (:43, 7.17MB .wav)

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1966 Grandstand Show    The New Christy Minstrels

Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:46, 7.79MB .wav)

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1967 Grandstand Show        Percy Faith

Music Medley Percy Faith conducting Canadiana Symphony Orchestra (:63, 10.6MB .wav)

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1968 Grandstand Show         Catherine McKinnon                        The Travellers

Sea to Sea CNE Symphony Orchestra (:55, 9.27MB .wav)

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