One of the country's largest photographic collections to document Canadian music history is being put on the Internet for the first time.
The independently managed collection includes a number of rarely seen photos that are now being made available to the public and media outlets for viewing and purchasing.
And while the exclusive content in what's known as The Bruce Cole Collection is going digital and online, many of the photos also appear in Music From Far and Wide, the official JUNO 40th Anniversary book, just published and recently released in book stores across the country (as well as online). Eight-five select images from the Cole Collection appear in the book.
Toronto-based Bruce Cole, now owner/operator at Plum Communication Studios, was the official photographer for the Juno Awards for nearly twenty years, covering the very first event in 1972 and on up until 1990.
As well, he was a very in-demand photographer for the music industry overall, shooting album cover artwork and live concert performances along the way. He has amassed a collection of thousands of photographs of famous rock and pop stars that he took over the years. Several of his images were used in a recent biography of the popular rock band, Rush.
The historical images are being unveiled as part of the many celebrations and activities connected with the 40th Anniversary of the JUNO Awards, to be officially commemorated early next year.
"The JUNO Awards are a constantly evolving celebration. This year we're truly enhancing the entertainment experience by offering all-new engaging events celebrating Canadian music 365 days of the year," said Melanie Berry, President & CEO of CARAS. "T[his] has been 40 years in the making, 40 years of celebrating the strength and diversity of our rich musical heritage and artists, and 40 years of bringing Canadian music closer to the fans."
Plum Studios has teamed up with Hiltz Squared Media Group to create a Web portal to display the photo collection, as well as establishing an online storefront for the sale of hard copy photos and fine art prints.
Images from other photographers who also "lived and breathed the music industry" will be added, explained Cole.
Some ninety images are now online, with plans to add more every week or so. The images, sourced from original negatives (often 35mm, but many in a 2 ¼" format) have or are being digitized in high resolution formats, Cole describes, but notes that sales will all be hard copy prints, produced in association with a Toronto-based digital photographic facility.
Cole sees the release and publication of the photos as "beneficial all around. Yes, we are looking for ways to monetize the collection," he describes, "but it will be a part of building a huge awareness for not just the 40th Anniversary of the Junos, but we hope for Canadian music and the history of rock 'n' roll in this country overall."
With a forward by Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, the coffee table photo book is also filled with artist introductions from JUNO Award winners including Burton Cummings and Jann Arden, among others.
CARAS, the industry organization behind the Junos, will use some of the proceeds for the book to fund the not-for-profit Foundation, MusiCounts, which supports music education in Canadian schools.
The 2011 JUNO Awards, airing live from Toronto's Air Canada Centre on Sunday, March 27, also marks the 10th anniversary broadcast of Canada's Music Awards on CTV.
For more Mediacaster and Broadcaster Magazine coverage related to this topic, please see:
Astral Contributes to Music Education and Development in Canada
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000388083
Music Week Co-Chairs Represent Live, Recorded and Broadcast Media Sectors
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000382643
Top 100 Singles List Triggers Heated Debate, Online Argument
http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000391106
Yes We CanCon: Broadcast Documentary Series Celebrates Canadian Music, Acknowledges Regulatory Reasons for Industry Success
http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000343075