RIP Russ Solomon (founder of Tower Records)

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RIP Russ Solomon, a true American entrepreneur!

<<Russ Solomon, the music-loving visionary who built a global retailing empire and the most famous company in Sacramento history, died Sunday night. He was 92.

Solomon was watching the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night when he apparently had a heart attack, said his son, Michael Solomon.

"Ironically, he was giving his opinion of what someone was wearing that he thought was ugly, then asked (his wife) Patti to to refill his whisky," Solomon said. When she returned, he had died.>>


http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article203542104....

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^Tower Records were the first really cool record stores that I ever visited.  My childhood friend moved up the Bay Area and took me to a couple, including the one near Fisherman's Wharf.  I thought it was awesome to be able to listen to records before buying them.

PS: That top photo appears to have been taken in front of the Emeryville Hot Italian Restaurant.  Did he live in the East Bay during his later years?  Not too far from Sacto, I suppose.

Not sure where he retired to, though he did reopen a new store in Sacramento, but had to sell after 3 years (in Sacramento)

 

The Tower documentary is excellent.

Tower on Columbus & Bay in SF (pictured above) was THE place to buy records back in the day - and concerts in the parking lot.

 

Awesome Noodler ! I Remember him - I Use To Shop at Towers Records Sunset in Hollywood ~ Russ was behind the Counter ! Cash from me!

Tower Records Hollywood

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At 92 while He was Watching The Oscars He Asked His wife to Refill his Whiskey when she came back He was Gone ..... WoW.~~ Tower Records

That's exactly how I'd want to go!  

He was sitting on his couch drinking whiskey and criticizing something he was watching on TV.

Sounds like a zoner.

"The Tower documentary is excellent."

Yes it is, well worth your time.

"At 92 while He was Watching The Oscars"

Apparently he died of boredom.

RIP

Local hero makes good. Def enriched my life, thank you. Died drinking whiskey and being snarky about Oscar dresses. Not a bad way to go at 92.