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Canada Post Hits The Right Note With MuchMusic/MusiquePlus Stamp Set

MuchMusic and MusiquePlus Stamps Released by Canada Post (Photo Credit: CNW Group/Canada Post)


It was forty years ago when the broadcast of Rush’s "The Enemy Within" signified the launch of Canada’s first music channel. From 299 Queen Street East in Toronto, MuchMusic began broadcasting on August 31st between maverick media magnate Moses Znaimer and Canadian television producer John Martin. Formerly working with CBC, Martin pitched a show called The NewMusic that aired in 1979 on Znaimer’s City-TV (the television channel was purchased by CHUM Limited in 1981). The success of that show prompted the motivation for creating an MTV-like all-music station in Canada that went live in 1984. 

From its inception to the 2000s, MuchMusic and later its French-language ami MusiquePlus that took to the airwaves in 1986 provided Canadians (particularly Canadian youths) with an avenue to experience musical culture. Immersive programming on the channel would include popular music videos, concerts and music industry news. The channel’s effective years operated as a conduit that not only gave audiences music videos but a chance for this audience to engage with the content as well as artists themselves. Interactive programs, relatable on-air personalities and a major music awards show generated some fond memories for those who experienced it. In addition to broadly serving Canada’s music audiences, MuchMusic aided the nation’s music industry in a substantial way. Through VideoFACT launched alongside MuchMusic, many Canadian artists were given funding to produce their own music videos that received airplay on the channel.   

Canada Post has just released a two-piece stamp set in recognition of the past influence of MuchMusic and MusiquePlus. A stamp design created to Paprika with Michael Haddad being the stamp illustrator, both the MuchMusic and MusiquePlus design incorporate a building with a crowd of younger people in front. The MuchMusic stamp appears inspired by the 299 Queen Street East building while the MusiquePlus stamp lightly resembles the 355 Rue Sainte-Catherine O that served as the channel’s Montreal-based headquarters. An arching pattern used towards the top of these buildings present a ‘M’ shape resembling the logos used by the channels from 1984 to 1997. At the right top corner of the two Canada Post stamps is a depiction of the globe logo used by the stations from 1997 to 2011. A 1980s inspired colour palette is exercised on the artwork for the stamp series.

The MuchMusic/MusiquePlus stamp collection is now available at Canada Post outlets as well as on the postal services online store as a booklet of 8 (containing 4 of each stamp design) or can be ordered as First Day Covers.  

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