Comments on: Then & Now: The Diamond Club

By: Gabby

Gabby — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:01:29 +0000

I moved here from Montreal in 84. I pretty well lived in between the Bamboo and The Diamond. Too nany stories to relate. I became good friends with Randy Mickey and Mike Stortini. Jim Zeppa was also a real class act. I could go on and on but I won’t. Just thanks for great times and memories.

By: Leif Harmsen

Leif Harmsen — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:58:57 +0000

I worked as a bus-boy at the Diamond for a few months near the end of the 80s. Morale among the other bus staff at the time was at an all time low: they’d throw out glasses into the dumpster rather than put them through the dishwasher. The Manger didn’t help, proclaiming platitudes like we all had to “work as a team of equals” rather than simply pay enough to attract better bus-staff and/or promote people like me who did decent work. I worked there until Billy Bragg played one night and his songs inspired me to quit – I told Bragg about my decision and I hope it made his night. I got into U of T as an undergrad through Woodsworth College, then Concordia and did an MA at Birkbeck in London UK. Best decision I ever made.

By: Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:19:27 +0000

Totally remember the second guy – his name was Paul and actually saw him when he was working during the day. His day job was cleaning windows on storefronts on Yonge street (up near Summerhill area).

He definitely had an odd dancing style but boy, was he a regular fixture at the Copa on Sunday nights and the Diamond on Tuesdays – and probably the BigBop too.

By: m none

m none — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 16:55:52 +0000

Mr. Dressup? Is that the older guy that used to wear a blue Superman t-shirt in the late 80s? He always appeared to be on his own with the crazy hip swinging thing he did. He was a regular at RPM as well.

My gf and her friends used to call him “Mr Hips”.

There was also an odd 35yr old looking guy that would wear a sport coat round lensed glasses and a black turtle neck. He would walk quickly around the floor and on the stage and then do a 360 twirl, all with his hands in his pockets.

Damn — the memories of some of these characters from the 80s Toronto Club scene.

By: Maria Teresa Julianello

Maria Teresa Julianello — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 02:15:05 +0000

Hi guys,

anyone has stories, photos, videos of Gino Vannelli playing the Diamond?

Thanks folks

By: Bruce Brooker

Bruce Brooker — Mon, 03 May 2021 01:54:41 +0000

Cathrine Ohara, you would hear her laugh before you saw her. You hear that cackle as she was walking towards the front door.. Always fun, always a good hang. She would always stop and shoot the breeze for a few minutes with the door staff. Then there was a certain Swedish Maple Leaf who I used to have to chase outta the women’s bathroom. He would park himself in there, sit on the counter, chat up all the ladies and spoon out some of his stash. It was all such a cliche. He would spend like a lot of time in there. Sooner or later, a woman would come and tell me, “hey Bruce, that guy is in the woman’s washroom again”. I’d actually have to go in and tell him to cut it out. He’d laugh, and tell me “ok, ok…I won’t do that any more”.He’d be back in there a half hour later…hey nobody really complained. He was a generous man. We all found it pretty comical and bizzarre. My most memorable moment was when I actually got to sit and speak with the great Elvin Jones. after his show. It was after hours, very quiet, no distractions. We had a drink and talked for a while. Many many people passed thru the Diamond Club doors. Some that you recognise, some who you ain’t never heard of. All part of the whole thing. There was always the vibe of something happening, a strident energy. Yeah, it was a scene, and the music to make your head spin. Even on those long slow winter nights hangin around the front door tellin jokes with Lorelei. Sharin time and space with the people who worked there, The Diamond Dogs, is maybe the best memory of all. There is a big soft spot in my heart for that club. Thanks Randy C for just being you. Jim Zeppa and Jack Ross introduced me to my wife the love of my life…almost 40 years ago. If I never worked at The Diamond Club that magic woulda never happened.

By: Bruce Brooker

Bruce Brooker — Sun, 02 May 2021 01:43:49 +0000

I worked the door with Jim Zeppa for the 1st year and a half of operation. Fond memories of Kinga and Gidget…Hobie. Lorelei my little sister. The staff was all of like mind. All a very tight knit group. It was a great moment in time. Not to be forgotten.

By: Daniel estulin

Daniel estulin — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:53:42 +0000

I worked the door 1987 to 91. Do you know what happened to the people who worked there? Kings, Mickey, Sharon etc etc?

By: Sean D'Andrade

Sean D'Andrade — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:03:24 +0000

National Velvet

By: Sean D'Andrade

Sean D'Andrade — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:02:47 +0000

National Velvet