The O’Keefe, later called the Hummingbird Centre (1996) and then the Sony Centre (2007) opened in 1960, with the world premiere of Camelot, a musical starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet.
On July 31st through August 5th, 1967 Bill Graham brought the San Francisco Scene to Toronto in the form of The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane for a weeklong residence during the Summer of Love.
Led Zeppelin played there on November 2nd, 1969 on an early North American Tour and David Bowie played here for the first time on June 16th, 1974 in support of the Diamond Dogs album. Bob Dylan was at the O’Keefe Centre for a 3-night stand between June 5th – 7th, 1990.
The Doors recorded a version of “The End” here for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on August 8th, 1967, which was broadcast later on an episode of the Noel Harrison hosted program The Rock Scene: Like It Is.
Numerous seats were ripped out by overzealous fans of The Clash on September 26th, 1979, causing thousands of dollars in damage at the height of Toronto’s New Wave and punk obsession.
Other Notable Concerts played at O’Keefe Centre/Sony Centre
9/13/2019 – Berlin & The B-52s
8/25/2019 – Mark Knopfler
7/30/2019 – Bryan Ferry
6/24/2019 – Diana Ross
4/26, 4/27/2019 – Morissey
4/2/2019 – Roger Hodgson (Supertramp)
11/21/2018 – Brian Wilson
9/30/2018 – Simple Minds
9/19/2018 – The The
8/24/2018 – Culture Club
8/3, 8/4/2018 – David Byrne
6/23/2018 – Seal
6/18/2018 – The Monkees
3/22/2018 – Foreigner
7/26/2017 – Blondie
7/20/2017 – Elvis Costello & The Imposters
7/6, 7/7/2017 – The Moody Blues
O’Keefe Centre
1 Front St E
Toronto, ON M5E 1B2
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