rip Russ Solomon 1925-2018

[Former Member]

Russ Solomon founded Tower Records in Sacramento, California and expanded the company worldwide with stores across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Mexico, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, among others. There was a San Francisco store in the Upper Market neighborhood, just a few blocks away from Castro Street. And a large store on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood.

 

Tower Japan went independent in a management buyout four years before Tower went bankrupt in the US. Tower Japan still operates stores (85 in 2014). So if you’re really nostalgic…  ;-)

 

Tower Records had an uneven record as far as LGBTQ supportiveness is concerned. In May 1969, Tower Records’ giant location on Bay & Columbus was picketed for firing a suspected Gay employee. But many of the locations carried a lot of LGBTQ merchandise (including music, movies, and magazines). More suburban locations were not as supportive.

 

From Wikipedia:

Quote

Solomon died on March 4, 2018, according to the Sacremento Bee while drinking whiskey and watching the Academy Awards, after having just commented negatively on someone at the ceremonies' fashion choice.

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by Former Member