THE VIRTUAL WALL OF FAME

MANNY’S MUSIC ON MUSIC ROW (circa 1967)

Do you remember

Music Row

Back when Manny’s Music

was the place to go

 

Man, that was Heaven

don’t you know

Just a subway ride away

to music row

 

I first heard ‘bout Manny's

when I was just fourteen

My guitarist Bobby said

We had to make that scene

 

So, unbeknownst to our parents

we hopped the E Train

from Kew Gardens to Times Square

and we scurried past the porn that used to cluster there

 

Walked crosstown

To Seventh Avenue

Then turned and headed North

Like a human corkscrew

 

We were teencats from the suburbs

But we weren’t lost

We knew the address

And we’d get there or bust

 

When we arrived at Manny’s,

Man we was in the zone

Drums, guitars, basses,

amps and microphones

 

Inside Manny’s

Was like another world

We were like prospectors

Who’d just discovered the mother lode

 

You saw every brand of instrument

When you passed through Manny’s door

It was better than my first trip

inside a candy store

 

Epiphone, Martin, Gibson,

Gretsch, Vox, Danelectro, Shure,

Rickenbacker, Hagstrom, Hofner, Fender,

Slingerland, Ludwig, Hohner and more

 

So many axes, amps and skins

I thought my head would explode

I must’ave died and gone to heaven

it was a sensory overload

 

And all the photos on the walls

A gallery of rock stars galore

Ain’t never gonna’ be

Another landmark like Manny’s Music Store

 

Do you remember

West 48th Street brother

And how the sound of music

spilled out into the gutter

 

Manny yelling “turn it down”

was in fact quite a nice mellow fellow

And his son Henry didn’t fall far from the tree

Hollering “If you try it- you buy it" then chuckling "just go and play Old Yellow”

 

Music Row

48th between sixth and seventh

It was as if we’d died

And gone to heaven

 

Heaven was just a subway ride away

Dreams came true that very day

We were players on a mission

It was like rock was our religion

 

And Manny’s was the church

The place to come and play

Yeah, Manny’s was our hallow ground

But now it seems so far away

 

Alas a little piece of history

Lives on in Manny’s name

Kudos Holly and Sandi for launching

The Manny's Virtual Wall of Fame

 

And now, that along with this little verse

Are all I’ve left of those golden days

So sadly I say farewell to Manny’s Music Store

With a guitar case full of heartfelt praise

                                                                                                             ©Jim Monroe 2015

 

 

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Comment by Michael Gladstone on May 18, 2015 at 9:44pm

Thank You Jim....

 It's so good to remember when I would have to beg Henry for a Schlepper Shirt and how proudly I would wear it on the road and how when my Gibson LG1 burned along with the rest of my apartment how amazed I was when Blood Sweat and Tears told me to go to Manny's and pick out a guitar, whatever I wanted.

 Henry went into the back and brought out the last D28 with Brazilian Rosewood.

 Talk about a kid in a candy store.
  Henry always treated me like was was his pain in the ass nephew and I will Love him forever for it......

 Sandi, Please don't take this down... If it costs money to keep it up just ask for contributions and I will make sure that I put that out on every site that has musicians who hold Manny's close to their hearts......

Comment by Sandi on May 18, 2015 at 7:05pm

wow, thanks Jim, I was just about to take this page down, glad I didn't

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IMPORTANT : !!!!!!!! Very crucial Family Heirlooms I need to return to Goldrich family !!!!!

Hey everyone. It Is Mike ,down in S. FL. I have at least 2 items that I really need to get returned to you guys. It is from the 30+ Boxes of stuff Marc left in my Garage . Please contact me ,Either , Laura ,Stu , Holly ,  Ian ,or Judd ,or anyone in the Manny's Family only please!     561-245-1769. I have for sure ,The Manny's 50thh anniversary Plaque, and Manny's fine China set maybe from his wedding .  English  ? Just call me Holly !  I really want to get this back to you guys . Not an Hr.…See More
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