Manny's Music Going Out With Goodbye Grouch

After over 70 years serving as both a source for top-notch instruments and a hang-out for musicians between gigs, Manny's Music on "Music Row" (West 48th Street) is said to be going out of business soon. Among other famous clients, Jimi Hendrix bought many of his guitars there, and Ringo Starr got the Ludwig drum set used in the Beatles’ “Ed Sullivan Show” appearances from Manny’s. The New Yorker recently spent a few hours palling around with Manny's cantankerous owner Henry Goldrich (son of Manny), and musicians John Sebastian (Lovin’ Spoonful), Tom Chapin, and Leslie West (the Vagrants). As if to illustrate the signature "thinly veiled hostility" of Manny's staff, Goldrich quickly instructed West, "Get out of my face. Seriously. You’re bothering me." And when West asked Henry if he ever played an instruments, he replied, "I played cash register." Though it's still not quite clear if the fat lady has indeed sung at Manny's, workers are busy scanning all the hundreds of publicity photographs of musicians that line the store’s walls, which will be preserved on a website called Manny’s Virtual Wall. And here's video of the visit.

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By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on May 11, 2009 1:10 PM

Comments [rss]

r1b2

Look, they're all owned by Sam Ash, anyway (except Rudy's.) No real loss.

r1b2

Look, they're all owned by Sam Ash, anyway (except Rudy's.) No real loss.

jaycjay

I heard it's going to be replaced by a place called "Manny's Fertility Drug Emporium."

samarks

Hasn't Manny's been owned by Sam Ash for a long time? Not the same place it was in the '70's.

lucyvanpelt

Yes, and yes. I gave up on them years ago in favor of Rudy's. The guys there are great

LinkMan

Why all the hate for Manny's? I went shopping for a keyboard a couple years ago and found the staff there infinitely more helpful than at any of the other stores we visited. They still weren't as nice as they could have been, I suppose, but the guys in the keyboard room seemed like musicians, not used care salesmen like at Sam Ash down the street (which I understand owns Manny's).

edward_g_robincat

Just as a footnote. Leslie West is better known for Mountain ("Mississippi Queen"). I hope this knowledge benefits somebody.

fruitstand

I remember shopping here a couple of times and thinking there were the creme of the douchebag crop as far as music stores.

And that's saying something.

BillyParker

Next time staff talks to you like that, go test out the place's gong.

drewo

As if to illustrate the signature "thinly veiled hostility" of Manny's staff

Consumers need not worry, plenty of that still available at many of New York's fine retail establishments.