Paul Albert Norton

Paul was born on November 18th, 1951 to parents John and Mae Norton. He grew up in Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood and graduated from Leaside High School. Immediately after graduation he and his close friend Luke Blackstone drove across Canada to Vancouver, where he lived for the rest of his life. Paul maintained close ties with a small group of high school friends who gathered for regular reunions in Toronto, most recently in September 2025.

Paul graduated from the Communications Program at Simon Fraser University where he specialized in photography. It was through SFU that he discovered CFRO Vancouver Co-op Radio, where he worked and volunteered for close to fifty years until his death. His Sunday afternoon shows at Co-op Radio were One O’Clock Jump (jazz and blues), In The Pines (bluegrass and country), and What The Folk (folk and world music) collectively known as Three In A Row on CFRO. He later joined CiTR (UBC) Radio where he hosted the Saturday blues show, Code Blue for over twenty years.

Paul’s connections with the Vancouver music scene can’t be overstated. He knew everyone in the rock, jazz, folk, blues and bluegrass scene, and supported countless musicians and concert promoters tirelessly through his many radio shows, graphic design and promotion skills, technical expertise, organizational abilities and constant enthusiasm.

A huge fan of classic movies, Paul was excited about the video rental business. He thought the ultimate experience was watching his favourite movies in his own home. So he bought the Video Stop business at Broadway and Alma in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood in the early ‘80s, as well as a store on Salt Spring Island called Video Ranch. There he provided jobs for local musicians and students, while building a clientele of people who depended on his vast knowledge for personal movie recommendations.

His love of music took him far and wide – recording live shows at Rohan’s in Kitsilano for broadcast on Co-op Radio and producing shows at the Commodore, The Railway Club and The Cultch. He worked as backstage security for countless shows at the Commodore Ballroom, and rubbed shoulders with many of his favourite musicians. Later he worked at the Festival Records tents at festivals around BC, which eventually led to employment at Festival Distribution for many years. There he learned graphic design, which became a large part of his most recent role as publicist for the Rogue Folk Club.

Paul loved to drive and owned two Mustangs and a 1957 Chevy. When he arrived in Vancouver, he drove for McClure’s Taxi while attending university. Later he drove visiting performers several concert promoters in town. For the past ten years he enjoyed driving seniors on bus trips for North Shore Neighbourhood House.

In 1991, Paul and his partner Sue formed The West Coast Violence Prevention Society to support Sue’s work performing in BC elementary schools with her musical group, The Buddy System, and their message of violence prevention. Paul had a strong belief in social responsibility and served on many boards and committees including Block Watch, the Riley Park Community Centre Board, Co-op Radio, and most recently on the board of Paloma Housing Co-op.

One of Paul and Sue’s favourite pastimes was attending music festivals and concerts, locally and farther afield including memorable trips to Cuba, New Orleans, and Austin, Texas.

He will be remembered for his quiet, supportive presence, sharp wit, encyclopedic knowledge of movies and TV shows, generosity, love of animals, and devotion to his family. And folks all over Canada and the US will remember him when they listen to his K-Paul Christmas compilation CD’s – a tradition for over twenty-five years.

Paul is lovingly remembered by his partner, Sue Malcolm, sister Pat Norton in Toronto, Sue’s large extended family, and Molly the dog.

There will be a party to celebrate Paul in the near future. Notification will be through social media and newsletters of the organizations Paul was connected with.

For more remembrances, please click on the links below.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival: https://mailchi.mp/thefestival/honouring-paul-norton-agm-news-concert-announcement?e=bcb9dda0bd

Rogue Folk Club: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Paul-Norton-R-I-P---and-A-Great-Concert-of-Klezmer-Music.html?soid=1138066827789&aid=w6GfMoO41tM

Vancouver Co-op Radio CFRO: www.coopradio.org