I like and admire Rus I do,......but........he is a dinousaur. This interview has quaint notions but it just isnt reality. Now or evermore. The world has changed since 1941 when Russ started selling records.
He isso right, people will want to own objects again! After all we are a greedy society. I get criticized by people all the time for buying CD's instead of downloading but I collect!
The last 10yrs have been cultural hell in mainstream music. Music will have to go through a regeneration and music fans will come to understand artists need direct support to stay in the game. This is a difficult time of transition in music history..
as long as the music industry continues to release crappy music and setting up this monopoly on where its very difficult to avoid their crap i will not buy a cd ever again
I went to that store in west hollywood and loved the area and walked all the way to the beach and back. Please revive Tower records as you sold the best stuff! Now we get mexicrap at FYE.... this is no longer USA.
I miss Tower Records over here in Hawaii. I'm a Hawaiian metalhead and i remember going to Towers all the time browsing the cd racks for metal cd's. The variety of metal they had was pretty impressive, everything from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and all the well known acts, but they also had stuff from bands like Disincarnate, Monstrosity, Lethal, Slauter Xstroyes, Onslaught, Jag Panzer, Wrathchild America and a ton of other lesser known bands. RIP :(
CD's will never die because what's downloaded on the internet is of such low quality. Tower retail stores were the best and is still the best that ever happened, from music selection to magazines. Borders, Sam Goody, B&N, etc still don't compare.
This interview really captured Russ. Best of luck to R5, if anyone can get the kids back to collecting "objects" again, it's Russ. And it ain't just the kids missing out on quality sound, we've all gotten used to hearing the lack of MAJESTY in music. "It don't MOVE, fella's, let's get real, real GONE for a change!" (Elvis) It ain't gone no more...shame.
The kids ARE still collecting objects.....the newest I-pod, the newest 4G phone, etc etc........the "ten billion gigs" of music they hold is incidental.
Dude, you really have NO idea what you're talking about. I've met Russ and he's a really down to earth guy.
If you want to get angry at someone, get mad at the record companies. They were the ones charging Tower $10-$11 PER DISC. So if Tower was selling it at $14.99 that isn't a huge mark up. Why in the world does a CD cost $10 or $11 to manufacture? That's a good question, I have no idea. Let's not hold our breath waiting for an answer from the mega corporate record labels.
Uh, in case anyway is confused by my comment: I was responding to someone else's comment that has apparently been removed. So my post is not quite as random as it might seem. =^)
I live in Sacramento, CA, where Tower started. I also worked at Tower for 17 years. Russ has opened a new store called R5 Records. It's at an old Tower Records location (16th & Broadway in Sacramento). It's a nice place, especially for those of us who still believe in BUYING CDs. Go Russ!
People are sharing files mostly. That is legally not stealing. The quality is nowhere as good and they do not get the imagery or artwork included. Besides that we are becoming more practical and downsizing our electronic appendages. The computed memory system is taking over. Everything is changing.
Go Russ! The music business has really been digging its own grave, especially with its ridiculous pricing that encourages people to steal instead. They still need a big kick in the balls, too bad Tower got hurt before they did.
Yeah thank God for the kids . Who will work for minimum wage at your record supermarket.
sgrroiii 5 months ago
That was an outstanding interview!!
zonie9872 6 months ago
i miss Tower i worked at west covina Tower records for 3 years .it was the greatest job in the world i was there intill they locked the doors..
shannonthecannon69 1 year ago
I like and admire Rus I do,......but........he is a dinousaur. This interview has quaint notions but it just isnt reality. Now or evermore. The world has changed since 1941 when Russ started selling records.
pressrolls 1 year ago
He isso right, people will want to own objects again! After all we are a greedy society. I get criticized by people all the time for buying CD's instead of downloading but I collect!
wrestlingwomanfan 1 year ago
The last 10yrs have been cultural hell in mainstream music. Music will have to go through a regeneration and music fans will come to understand artists need direct support to stay in the game. This is a difficult time of transition in music history..
SnapshotsMusic 1 year ago
Now that I own thousands of CDs, I'm glad today's kids don't have record stores to shop in. They never bought and now they don't have. Tough.
spagandtuna 2 years ago
As long as R5 sells music, I'll buy it. Thank you Russ!
strictlypiano 2 years ago
as long as the music industry continues to release crappy music and setting up this monopoly on where its very difficult to avoid their crap i will not buy a cd ever again
Diao7 2 years ago
i give compact discs another 2 more years and thats it
the fuuny thing is I still buy cd's but everyone else i know does not
its a damn shame
200nikesdeep 2 years ago
I went to that store in west hollywood and loved the area and walked all the way to the beach and back. Please revive Tower records as you sold the best stuff! Now we get mexicrap at FYE.... this is no longer USA.
inachu 2 years ago
CD is dead!
Long live Vinyl!!!
bolderr 2 years ago
I miss Tower Records over here in Hawaii. I'm a Hawaiian metalhead and i remember going to Towers all the time browsing the cd racks for metal cd's. The variety of metal they had was pretty impressive, everything from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and all the well known acts, but they also had stuff from bands like Disincarnate, Monstrosity, Lethal, Slauter Xstroyes, Onslaught, Jag Panzer, Wrathchild America and a ton of other lesser known bands. RIP :(
metalfanatic 3 years ago
skinny puppy.
inachu 2 years ago
CD's will never die because what's downloaded on the internet is of such low quality. Tower retail stores were the best and is still the best that ever happened, from music selection to magazines. Borders, Sam Goody, B&N, etc still don't compare.
SaltyMasterGunnz 3 years ago
This interview really captured Russ. Best of luck to R5, if anyone can get the kids back to collecting "objects" again, it's Russ. And it ain't just the kids missing out on quality sound, we've all gotten used to hearing the lack of MAJESTY in music. "It don't MOVE, fella's, let's get real, real GONE for a change!" (Elvis) It ain't gone no more...shame.
lyricalwhip 3 years ago 3
@lyricalwhip
The kids ARE still collecting objects.....the newest I-pod, the newest 4G phone, etc etc........the "ten billion gigs" of music they hold is incidental.
pressrolls 1 year ago
Dude, you really have NO idea what you're talking about. I've met Russ and he's a really down to earth guy.
If you want to get angry at someone, get mad at the record companies. They were the ones charging Tower $10-$11 PER DISC. So if Tower was selling it at $14.99 that isn't a huge mark up. Why in the world does a CD cost $10 or $11 to manufacture? That's a good question, I have no idea. Let's not hold our breath waiting for an answer from the mega corporate record labels.
bfairbanks 3 years ago
I agree...
1Mellodee 3 years ago
Uh, in case anyway is confused by my comment: I was responding to someone else's comment that has apparently been removed. So my post is not quite as random as it might seem. =^)
bfairbanks 3 years ago
i totally agree with him... its kind of sad
aha45 3 years ago
The man speaks the truth. Rare in these days.
JipJDB 4 years ago
I live in Sacramento, CA, where Tower started. I also worked at Tower for 17 years. Russ has opened a new store called R5 Records. It's at an old Tower Records location (16th & Broadway in Sacramento). It's a nice place, especially for those of us who still believe in BUYING CDs. Go Russ!
bfairbanks 4 years ago
is it empty? LMAO
I cant even vision someone shopping in a record store anymore.
mikeygeneral 3 years ago
No, people actually shop there. Just because YOU don't like record stores doesn't mean everyone else does.
bfairbanks 3 years ago
wow, your a sad sad person....... i hate to sound rude... but seriously man... you are very close minded.
MetalChick1982 3 years ago 2
People are sharing files mostly. That is legally not stealing. The quality is nowhere as good and they do not get the imagery or artwork included. Besides that we are becoming more practical and downsizing our electronic appendages. The computed memory system is taking over. Everything is changing.
shortee4204real 4 years ago
I feel the same way. There may be other record stores out there but none will ever replace the mighty Tower.
LouiePlaysDrums 4 years ago
"All True"
ifmusiconline you add the rest dot or com?
taylor7609 4 years ago
A rise in the price while the market's slipping. Definitely.
mattcribbin 4 years ago
Go Russ! The music business has really been digging its own grave, especially with its ridiculous pricing that encourages people to steal instead. They still need a big kick in the balls, too bad Tower got hurt before they did.
eyeh8cbs 5 years ago 5