Yorkville in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Eastern Sound Studio
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025
1. Eastern Sound Studio Marker
Eastern Sound was a renowned Yorkville recording studio that attracted prominent Canadian as well as international musicians and producers at a time when this neighbourhood was at the heart of Toronto's counter-culture movement.
Founded in 1959, Eastern Sound was located in two Victorian bay-and-gable houses on this site. Musicians at the height of their fame such as Bruce Cockburn, Isaac Hayes, Murray McLauchlan, Cat Stevens, Ian Thomas, and Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon recorded here in the 1960s and 1970s.
Toronto holding company Manoir Industries purchased the studio in 1969 and invested in the latest equipment. Eastern Sound became one of the first studios in Canada capable of recording up to 46 tracks at a time. Elton John recorded his album Blue Moves here in 1976.
After changing owners several times, Eastern Sound merged with Manta Sound, forming Manta Eastern Sound. The studio moved from here in 1991 and the houses were later demolished.
Erected 2017 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.
Location. 43° 40.302′ N, 79°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Firefighting in Toronto (a few steps from this marker); The Village of Yorkville (a few steps from this marker); Yorkville Branch, Toronto Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorkville Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Village of Yorkville (within shouting distance of this marker); John Daniels House (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mount Sinai Hospital (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Penny Farthing (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025
2. Eastern Sound Studio Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025
3. Eastern Sound Studio marker photos and captions detail (left)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025
4. Eastern Sound Studio marker photos and captions detail
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 1,086 times since then and 340 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 4, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
