Sam Sniderman

Who was Sam Sniderman?

Sam Sniderman, CM was a Canadian businessman best known as the founder of Sam the Record Man, the Canadian record store chain. Sniderman was also a major promoter of Canadian music including involvement in pushing for the Canadian content broadcast regulations and creating the Juno Awards.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Sniderman grew up in its Jewish enclave known as Kensington Market. He attended high school at Harbord Collegiate Institute and started selling records in his brother Sidney's store, Sniderman Radio Sales and Service, in 1937. In 1959 he opened his first store on Toronto's Yonge Street, and then moved it to the iconic 347 Yonge Street flagship store location in 1961. In 1969, he started franchising the store.

He retired in 2000 and turned over ownership of the business to his sons, Bobby and Jason, and Sid's daughters Lana and Arna. The flagship Toronto store that bore his name closed in 2007 and its distinctive façade was declared a heritage site by the city.