Featured Blog Posts (11)

All the equipment you see in this picture of my band, The Malibus, from Stamford Connecticut, was purchased before 1963 at Manny's; the Slingerland drums, the two Ampeg amps, one for the guitars and one for the vocals, the Fender Jaguar, Guild Starfire, and the Gretch guitars.

Henry, Stuart, and all the Manny's family were as legendary as the celebrated musicians we'd come to see and talk to. One of the regrets of my life is that I didn't spend more time visiting, observing, listening to… Continue

If memory serves me well, today is the birthday of a very special fellow. His name is Henry Goldrich, and I've had the pleasure of knowing him since I was 16 - when I bought my first "quality" electric from him in the old store (it was a Guild Starfire Emerald III)... he was a mench then, and he's still not only a mench - he's a hero - an urban legend - and my friend!

 …

Continue

More to come on the Academy's dropping instrumental categories. The reaction has been predictable, outrage. I am compiling some of those reactions and will have them for you soon. I know that the people resposible have been given the truth about who we are. They are not pleased. Meanwhile WHO ARE WE? This forward says it nicely: MM



A guy calls the local musicians' union to get a quote on a six piece band for a wedding. The rep says: "Off the top of my head, I'd say about two thousand… Continue

In 1972 I was 19 years old, and had a chance to sub on the Broadway show, "Grease". Cliff Morris and Bob Rose, the guitarists on the show, told me I had the wrong electric guitar for the show's sound. "Go to Manny's" they said, "and tell Henry you need a Telecaster." It was a Saturday, and I went right over and asked for Henry. The store was jammed. I introduced myself, told him who had sent me and he smiled, saying that they were nice guys. He must have taken pity on a young kid, because he… Continue

Continue

Rather sad that this block on 48th street will never be the same. Besides purchasing my first guitar, a Dakota Red Fender Mustang at Manny's back in 1971, my fondest memory was meeting Peter Frampton there around 1974 and i believe it was Henry showing Peter the Pignose amp. Peter loved it and bought one. That day i had a chance to talk to Peter and it was a thrill as i was a big fan of Peter's music and his guitar playing. Peter was a true gentleman! Needless to say, i went back the following… Continue

When my son Grant was 12 or 13, graduating from middle school, we promised him a guitar. But he had a very specific guitar in mind..it had to be a Les Paul Epiphone, with a sunburst and a Bigsby Arm!



Our friend, a studio guitar player, had patiently trotted him over to Manny's and across the street to Sam Ash to play every guitar on the wall that came… Continue

Sandi: Thank you so much for giving us a chance to honor the people and the place that gave so many musicians an opportunity to conjure up sounds, magic and love.



I got my first drum kit there in 1973. Same kit that John Bonham was using....a kid could dream. I could only get this prized possession if I first accepted the challenge put forth by my dad. He'd pay for half, as long as I earned the other half.



For about six… Continue

Keeping this short will be hard...



My first trip to Manny's was back in 1976. I waited at the counter forever, but nobody paid me any attention. I was working with Harry Belafonte at the time and told the other guitarist Scott Kuney about what had happened. Back we went to the store. When Irene and Billy saw Scott, who was already a seasoned pro customer, they talked to him immediately. He proceeded to introduce me to everybody behind the counter. I never had to wait again - I was… Continue

Goldie and The Gingerbreads and all the bands of the 60's especially the ones that played bars around NYC like the Peppermint Lounge, Ungano's Wagon Wheel, Trudy Hellers would have been nothing without this mom and pop store, Manny's.

was great, we always felt like we were coming home when we walked in, for many years it was the place to hang, find new musicians for bands, and just hang.....our pix on the walls, and the personal touch sort of like walking into a 'musical Cheer's' Wow, I… Continue

Dear Henry,

Here is the Martin D-28 you hand-picked for me in 1969. It was a

lucky choice and I keep it in perfect condition. Millions of Bob

Dylan fans hear this guitar on the opening notes of "Tangled Up In

Blue." Thank you for personally helping me pick out this instrument

-- I came all the way from Minnesota to buy it especially from you.



Peace,

Kevin Odegard

Author "A Simple Twist of Fate: Bob Dylan and The

Making of Blood on The… Continue