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Colourful characters from the past

Humpday

Humpday

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I’d like to start a tribute to some of the colourful characters who’ve given flavour to the streets of our city. Recently we’ve had Zanta Claus, Flyerman, Kevin Clarke... Toronto’s Next Mayor, the Dundas Street Drummer and the late Ben Kerr, all preserved for eternity on Wikipedia,Youtube and elsewhere. I often wonder however, what happened to some of the characters from my youth. Anyone remember Joe Schmo, the record holding chess player outside Sam the Record Man? Crad Colodnik (not sure of the spelling), the author who sold his books outside Mr. Gameways Ark? The white robed "Queen of the Parkway"? "Yonge Street Jesus", who used to walk up and down the street dragging a 12 foot wooden cross? The short, perpetually unshaven, Tor Star newsie, with the cigar and the raspy voice? The sequined “World’s Greatest Dancer†who would set up his boom box at Yonge and Dundas? Does anyone have any information or stories about these people... or others? There must be some interesting tales out there.
 
Thanks Blovertis. Armed with the correct spelling I was able to find a wikipedia entry and cradkilodney.net. Looks like his sense of humour is intact.
 
What about Graeme Kirkland? Apparently, he's become a successful financial adviser.

There was a woman, who I believe was transgendered, and used to work the corner at Queen and Shaw right across from the Candy Factory lofts during their conversion. She looked like some sort of living anime superstar. On my way to my crappy midnight shift at Shopper's, aboard the streetcar, she'd be the highlight of my night, with her incredible outfit and karate moves.
 
mjl08 said:
I haven't been down to the Dome in ages... is that Blue Jays drummer still collecting coin?
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The Blue Jay Drummer was there as recently as last year. Still wearing Blue Jay gear. He only pauses his drumming long enough to point his stick at the crowd for a chant of "Let's go Blue Jays!" I figure he must make pretty good coin.
 
I've never seen the Anime Superstar... but I'd luv to hear more. I know there is an old-timer around King and Shaw with a white cane and a wheelchair who adds some flavour to the street.
According to Wikipedia and his website, Graeme Kirkland has recovered nicely from his numerous street assaults and is working as an investment advisor.
I just remembered another character from NPS circa 1990. He was a Rastafarian who would dance in front of City Hall every lunch hour. He would bop around to his own beat, rain or shine, whether or not there was a band playing.
 
On Yonge street in the 60s there was a stout blonde lady about 40 years old that wore a Viking helmet - with horns - with her hair in two braids on each side of her head. She wore a placard extolling Swedish socialism.

A couple weeks ago outside the Eaton Centre's Queen entrance there was a Asian girl of about 18 dressed in some sort of - I think - Japanese costume that resembled something that a small girl would wear - pink smock with black leggings. She was singing something very high pitched.
 
Mustapha said:
On Yonge street in the 60s there was a stout blonde lady about 40 years old that wore a Viking helmet - with horns - with her hair in two braids on each side of her head. She wore a placard extolling Swedish socialism.
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OMG! Was that "The Queen of Sweden"? I haven't thought of her in years. She was still on Yonge Street in the 70's, favouring purple clothes, if I recall correctly. I bowed every time I met up with her. Thanks for the memory.:)
 
I think I remember the Queen of Sweden... or else I remember seeing pictures of the Queen of Sweden.
Toronto could certainly use more Harajuku girls. I haven't seen Mustapha's lass but they certainly add colour to the streets of Tokyo.
Anyone remember the shoeshine couple on Yonge just north of Gerrard circa 1995? The long haired guy did the work and his Asian girlfriend just sat there. I don't recall her ever smiling. Pretty good shine though.
 
The Swedish Lady was vicious - she tried to savage me once; haven't seen her in at least a decade.

There used to be a flamboyant, skinny black cross-dresser in the east downtown about ten years ago ( I was going to give him a few fashion tips once, but thought better of it ... ) but he's disappeared.

Then there were the Slow Twins ( as I called them ), two rather shabby rotund twin brothers about 50 years of age who I used to see in Riverdale now and then.
 
I like the guitar player around Roy Thompson with the paper bag on his head and the empty music stand.

 
Urban Shocker said:
Then there were the Slow Twins ( as I called them ), two rather shabby rotund twin brothers about 50 years of age who I used to see in Riverdale now and then.
Click to expand...

I wonder if there can be more than one set? I live in the West End and used to see a pair frequently....and then they disappeared. Recently, one has turned up....but only one. He looks exactly the same as he (and his brother) did years ago.
 
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