Aloha, from AlohaChris
Bill, that is just staggeringly bad news! I can't imagine how unconscious the world has become to think that it kills off those pockets of life-force that are the very heart of what life is really all about! Sickening!
I grew up in NYC in the 60's. Bought all my early acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, Jew's harps, ukuleles and limberjacks at Manny's, Rudy's, Sam Ash and We Buy Guitars on 48th St.
I used to play hookie from PS 129 (junior high) on rainy days and take the subway down to Music Row and hang out at Manny's all day long. Saw people like George Harrison, Buzzy Linhart, Jeff Muldaur, Jimmie Hall, Stevie Wonder, Janis Ian, David Bromberg, Eric Anderson, Buddy Guy, Sly and Joni Mitchell trying out axes there. I'll never forget how casual it was - though Stuart Moscowitz used to always kick me out after a while.
Later, I'd take friends from the folk circuit down there to upgrade their guitars - easily over 200 guitars!
The way America treats art, artists, non-mainstream musicians and history today is truly disgusting - especially the young people. But Sam Ash's progeny should know better! That street is truly an American treasure and global musical icon that deserves to be preserved and supported. That street doesn't need another glass high rise!
Joni Mitchell captured best what I'm feeling right now about this "Manny's' decision in her astonishing "Furry Sings The Blues" on 'Hejira,' about the demise of Beale Street in Memphis.
"Pawnshops glitter like gold teeth caps. As they chew the last few dollars off old Beale Street's carcass. Carrion and mercy! History falls to parking lots and shopping malls. Ghosts of the dark town society, come right on out of the bricks at me. When I'm walkin' up and down old Beale Street."
I'm gonna miss Manny's! The last time I was there was in 2002. Felt the same as it always had. And time stood still as I tried out all the latest custom guitars.
When that wrecker's ball swings, I'll be feeling the pain out here in Hawaii for sure. Sick, unconscious ba$%!^d$!!!!
alohachris
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