What a treat to read the fond memories of contemporaries in the folk music era. Now age 63, I liked the Kingston Trio but didn't really jump in with both feet till Dylan's Freewheelin in Montreal in the spring of 1964. A friend, Mac Grundy, knew Bruce Murdoch. Bruce was our guide into this new world before he headed to Greenwich Village for the first time.

I particularly enjoy reminiscences from the 1950's and early 60's before my time. This thread illustrates the rich history in major U.S. cities in those years. But I crave some details of the Montreal scene prior to 1965 – the venues and the performers.

I have Montreal memories of:

The Fifth Amendment (Clarke St) closed early 1965
The Penelope (Bishop St below Café Prague) mid 1965 – mid 1966
Café Andre (Burnside?) 196? – 197?
La Femme Foetal (Mountain St) mid65 – early 66
Venus De Milo Lounge (St Catherine) 195? - ?    1966 Folk Rock
The Blue Lantern later renamed The Totem Pole (Stanley St) late 1965 -1968?
The Montreal Folk Workshop (Park Ave Moose Hall) late 1965 – 1973
The Yellow Door (Aylmer) 1967 – present
The New Penelope (Sherbrooke) 1967 – 1968?
The Back Door (McTavish? & Sherbrooke?)   1969 - 1981
The Karma (Crescent and De Maisonneuve)    ?
The Golem (McTavish?) 1973 – 1991

Can anyone share recollections of The Seven Steps/Potpourri, The Finjan and any other Montreal folk venues that existed before 1965?

Thanks