The Iconic History of Manny’s Music

“All our heroes walked under that sign, and it meant something to people who were in New York.”

Joe sits down with the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum's Joe Chambers and chat about how Joe managed to save an iconic part of music history from being lost forever.

When you walk down West 48th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenue, in an area known as Music Row, you had cool, independent music stores to hang out in, such as Rod Baltimore or Sam Ash. One such store that was a beacon of light to a lot of musicians in various stages of their careers was Manny’s Music, a small instrument shop that opened in 1935 and sold a variety of instruments, but mostly guitars. What makes it stand out is it being owned and run by the family. Plus, it’s a landmark that serves as the heart of Manhattan’s music scene.

Mountain Productions began to build their reputation as one of North America’s leading event production companies in 1981 after producing a legendary benefit concert for Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park. Just a few blocks away, Manny’s Music was where Paul Simon bought his first guitar at the age of twelve.

Jeff Skunk Baxter—of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame—was also an admirer of Manny’s and the Goldrich family. “Everyone knows Henry Goldrich as a music store icon,” wrote Baxter. “I also know him as a mentor and friend. I first met Henry at Manny’s when I was fourteen years old and shopping on 48th Street in New York for a Fender Jazzmaster. As my musical career became more and more successful, first with Steely Dan and later with the Doobie Brothers, I would always stop in to see Henry.”

Generations of musicians, spanning from Buddy Holly and the Beatles to Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix, trusted Manny’s Music on West 48th Street during their 74 years of operation. It’s the store that Buddy Holly got his first Stratocaster, and the very same place where Jimi Hendrix got his. Mick Jagger and David Bowie shut down the whole neighborhood when they visited the store together.

Unfortunately, Manny’s Music is no longer around, and the building has been demolished. Despite this, the memories of Manny’s still live on digitally. You can check out the virtual Wall Of Fame here: http://mannysmusic.ning.com/

As for the Manny’s Store Sign, Joe Bonamassa is the proud owner of it and it is proudly displayed at the Songbird Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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