After its sale yesterday to Great American Group, Tower Records is closing the doors of all of its nearly ninety stores worldwide, effectively ending the reign of record stores as we once knew them. Great American plans to liquidate the chain beginning today with closeout sales across the board. Over 3000 Tower employees will be impacted by the closings.
The demise of Tower Records registered barely a pling on the wires and TV news radar. It is, after all, indicative of the shifting buying habits of the music consumer. Between downloads and the big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target, coupled with the harried pace of society today, destination locations such as record stores are relics in their last throes.
But is it really that cut and dried?
While it is undeniable that the advent of MP3s, music file-swapping, and just the outright convenience of the Internet altered the way people listen to music, those factors alone cannot explain the decline and the fall of record stores. Nor can the one-stop mentality of big-box thinking.
The truth is, the record industry itself is at least partially responsible for the slow death of the free-standing record store. Well before the Internet or the Wal-Mart juggernaut even existed, at least traceable to the early 1980s, the bean counters at the labels had unwittingly set in motion events that altered how we listen to music.
In those days, label money was flowing freely—every act with a new release on the roster was promoted as the Second Coming. Reps showered retailers with unlimited promo albums, margarita-soaked release parties, primo concert tickets, t-shirts, anything and everything. And that was just store managers.
Then the bottom dropped out—the labels had pinned all their hopes on skinny-tie bands (the Knack) and hair bands (Cinderella) and when they didn't explode on the public as planned, the labels panicked. Promotional support to retailers was among the earliest casualties.
Not surprisingly, record sales slowed even more. The labels tightened their return policies, forcing the smaller retail chains such as Disc and Sound Town out of business early on, swallowed up by Sam Goody and the like, who were swallowed up by Trans World Entertainment—and so on and so on. Sound Warehouse, devoured by Blockbuster and Wherehouse, kicking and screaming all the way, fell by the wayside.
Only Tower was left standing, and now it's gone.
It's sad, really. For those of us who grew up honing our music knowledge browsing the rows upon rows of neatly alphabetized albums categorized by genres not even recognized anymore, while obscure "deep album" cuts blared from wall-mounted Altec speakers, it's a time that won't be recaptured.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Glen Boyd
Theres a lot more to it than that Ray. I've both worked for record labels and owned a small record store myself, and though every single thing you say is true--it's a lot more complex than that. The demise of the record industry in my mind boils down to two things:
The number one thing is that record labels are no longer run and staffed by record people. As a result, labels are more concerned with pleasing their shareholders than about the quality of the product they put out there. The music business is in a slump largely because of the music itself. Record labels sign teen pop crap looking to make the quick nickel rather than wait for the slow dime. Attention spans are short these days. Careers are no longer developed over the long haul, which means that labels depose of todays Britney Spears to make way for tommorrow's Justin Timberlake.
Meanwhile, no one is bothering to develop acts with any longevity like a Rolling Stones or even a Radiohead. Music doesn't sell the way it used to, because the music being put out by the major labels by and large sucks.
The other factor at play is the industry focus on delivery systems. With MP3's and cellphones the new delivery system of choice...it's no longer about albums but about mere tracks.
What is going to motivate an artist to create the next Born To Run, Dark Side Of the Moon, or OK Computer knowing full well that it's going to be played through a speaker the size of your thumbnail...? And cheery-picked for individual at that?
Great article Ray...but you are only scratching the surface here.
R.I.P. Tower
-Glen
2 - Glen Boyd
That last sentence should have read "cheery-picked for individual TRACKS. When I'm hot about something, I type so fast entire words get left out sometimes...LOL
-Glen
3 - Joan Hunt
I miss the local mom and pop stores that were put out of business by the bigger record stores. Those little shops were where I used to pick up all my promo materials, and they were many. I once had no less than 56 Tusk promo props. I would hang out at this store where I became friends with the owner. He knew what bands I liked and would always save anything and everything for me.
When it came time for concert ticket sales, he made sure to grab a pair of tix for me, too.
You don't get to make those kind of connections with people anymore.
4 - Glen Boyd
So you were one of my customers then Joan?
-Glen
5 - Vern Halen
To recap the acute observations cited above, some factors that have contributed to the demise of the music industry as it once was:
1) delivery systems - used to be large 12" vinyl artifacts artistically packaged vs ethereal, invisible, mp3 "files"; and,
2) monolithic record companies' desires for the quick buck rather than investment in economically sustainable long term artists.
I'd add a third, perhaps more intangible factor: the changed nature of rock and roll itself. It's no longer the exclusive domain of rebellious youth - nowadays, it's the soundtrack for geezers. Everyone knows the price you'll pay for strutting the stage & living in the spotlight.... actually, it's a pretty good wage if you can make it into the big leagues, much like how pro sports turned out, unlike forty or fifty years ago, when teling your folks you were going to play baseball, hockey or guitar for a liviing would've brought derision from your dad and tears from your mum.
In other words, it'a acceptable to age (gracefully or otherwise) and make a living in the industry, and in some ways, that goes against the youth centered premise of the original idea of rock and roll. Which leads me to another point (or maybe a variation of the same point, I dunno, I'm on a roll here) - the aging rock audience has been forced to fall back into nostalgia for their heroes because the industry hasn't bothered for the most part to market older acts as contemporary and vital to today's scene. Other than the occasional rave like the latest Bob Dylan release, most new releases by veteran rockers go by invisibly - an example being Cheap Trick's absolutely wonderful current album Rockford - praised here in many threads on the relatively small blogcritics community site but unnoticed by the public at large.
Who'm I kidding? Maybe it's the nature of rock and roll to eats its progeny; or put it on ice floes as it were. Johnny Ramone once said there ought to be a mandatory retirement age of 40 for rockers, but many artists, both major and even small time in that age category are making the best music of their careers, and it's being lost and unheard, and that's a sad thing.
6 - Snarkattack
No way...it was only a few years ago that I had the pleasure of going to Tower Records. It was like finding the Holy Grail - the selection...oh the sweet selection.
Sigh, guess we'll never get one in Australia now.
7 - Ray Ellis
It appears we're all pretty much on the same page here. ..
You're right, Glen--I did scratch the surface. When I first heard the news that Tower was kaput, my first instinct was to wax nostalgic, but that angle led me to the same take that Joan has about the indie stores. Since that was going to turn into a piece about how Goliath got his comeuppance, I went with the other angle. But since this was supposed to be about the demise of Tower, and not the workings of the insustry, I pulled in the reigns before it turned into an utter rant.
But that's an article for another time...
I managed several record stores, and even did a brief stint with EMI. Even in those halcyon days, the record people were overruled by the bottom line people. The only difference between then and now is that reps had to suck up to the retailers more then--computers didn't exist. If you published a magazine, as I went on to do, the sucking up was even more intense.
Vern, the labels' objective has always been to make a quick buck. That's why it's called the music "business." As a result, at least 97% of the output has always been garbage. But I will concede that the timeline for failure is a lot shorter than it once was--let's face it. The last great rock album was Green Day's "American Idiot."
And, no, Gem--there will be no rapture bown under-- but you guys may get a Virgin superstore...
Anyway, thanks to all for the feedback!
8 - Glen Boyd
It was a damn good piece Ray.
One that obviously opened up a lot of emotional thought in me that I take quite frankly, well personally. I've had a much broader article percolating in me for some time now about the demise of the music industry that I hope one day will show up here. And I guarantee you it will be a rant and a half when it does. Frankly it just amazes me how the industry cries the blues over it's woes when the answer is staring them so squarely in the face.
It's the music stupid.
-Glen
9 - Nik
I'll miss Tower. The one in Sacramento was probably my first "real" record store experience, and knocked me flat. I still loved going in one whenever I had a chance, a lot more soul and character than Best Buy and the like. Alas.
10 - Vern Halen
But the questions are these:
1) is today's music bad compared to the golden era (better yet - which golden era?)
2) isn't that inevitable?
3) if not, whose fault is it?
4) and can it be fixed?
11 - Ray Ellis
I don't think it's a then vs.now issue. Truth is, the best music has always been on the fringes. The Velvet Underground's first album was released in 1967, but the general public was so enamored of the Monkees and the like, it went largely unnoticed. There's a lot of good music out there... you just have to search for it. But that's the way it's always been.
12 - Glen Boyd
Well dammit Ray, look at you've done. You've gone and inspired me to finally write my music business rant. Assuming our beloved editors like it, you should see "When Are They Going To Let The Hippies Back Into The Record Store?" up here later today.
I had a lot of fun with this one. Thanks for the inspiration.
-Glen
13 - SFC SKI
Didn't "The Wildhearts Must be Destroyed" come out the smae time American Idiot did? I think thatwas that last good R 'n' R album.
Tower Records in Boston was great because it had a local artists section, if I could go back in time I'd spend at least $1000 there on stuff no longer in print.
It's not that the music was better then, hell an argument could be made that outside of emo, a lot of bands are remaking their parents favorite records today. (Some of you have children conceived after a Ratt or English Beat concert, you know who you are). It's that the purchase price of CD's is outrageous (CD's are cheaper than vinyl or cassettes to produce, but cost far more in today's money.), and all but the best bands out out a product that has one or two hits and a lot of filler, no thanks. The industry really tried to squeeze all it could out of the consumer, and missed the internet age business model entirely. They'd have come out ahead if they'd accepted Napster's initial compromise offer; instead they told the customer to pound sand, and the customer has responded in kind. The industry also forget the first rule of sales: Volume, Volume, Volume! I buy a lot of CD's but I'd buy more if they were cheaper.
Another thing, why sell a reissue of a classic album for the smae price as a new release. A guy who owns the vinyl, the cassette, and the initial CD release is going to balk at paying the same price again. Not only that, everyone knows that MP3 and other formats can pack an artist's entire collection onto one or two discs, why not offer complete works that way for a reasonable price? (Bootleggers from Baghdad to Bangkok offer just such a thing, and can't keep enough in stock, caveat emptor!) People would be rebuilding their libraries and the industry would still make money.
Antother thing, in Europe the customer can sample the whole CD before purchase, why not o that in the US? (I think we know the answer, most albums are filler)
I spend most of my time outside the US, the last real record store I went to was Vinyl Fever in Tampa, great selection and the guys knew their music. I prefer going to a record store, how else will I find out about great non-commercial bands? My lifestyle makes iTunes and Amazon the sellers of choice for me.
14 - The Truth
Tower could have been saved. It was for sale two years ago. The bid was $170 million, and the three idiot bondholders who controlled the company's board said the money was not enough. They were so arrogant and smug, and now I hear they are unemployed. Paul Lukaszewski -- you're a moron! And then there was E. Allen Rodgriguez, the CEO at the time. He had his own personal agenda, and huge ego. He thought he knew best, and knew best for Tower. What a joke. He cost 3,000 employees their jobs. See you in hell, Rodriguez...
15 - SFC SKI
I think the music forum eventually ignites more vitriolic and more passionate comments than any other. Politics be damned, but don't look askance at my Smithereens collection.
16 - Ray Ellis
#12. I was rather hoping you'd write something on the topic. Looking forward to reading it. Up the revolution!
#13,15. SKI, I couldn't agree more. Your mention about product knowledge at Vinyl Fever raises another...not just in music, but across the retail board, that quality has pretty much fallen by the wayside.
#14.Truth, I don't know the history that you mentioned, but I know from personal experience that Boards of Directors usually have their golden parachutes locked and loaded before the kaka hits the fan.
17 - TSS
I don't think all record stores are going to die, I live in Portland, OR where you can't swing a deadcat without hitting one. They still go strong mainly because of the stuff they sell. You'd be more likely to find a record by say, the Pop Group at some place like Second Ave. records here in Portland than you ever could at a Tower or Sam Goody.
If all you're selling is generic crap than of course you're gonna go under.
18 - tink
OH...sad to see them go, one of my fave brick and mortar shops.
More notibly, it will be strange to go down the Sunset Strip and see other vendors where the two Tower stores (one classical, the other for everything else) used to be for as long as I've lived in SoCal.
BTW--SFC SKI--anyone that's a Smitties fan is okay in MY book!!!!!!!
19 - Snarkattack
Actually Ray we do have a Virgin Superstore. We had a Blockbuster one aaaages ago but it disappeared. I still remember the adverts - Heather Locklear asking for a Nine Inch Nails album, back in the day when innocent things like myself thought they were hardcore, heh heh.
20 - Anna Creech
I stopped going to record stores a long time ago. I don't care for the latest popshit album the music man is trying to sell me, and most record stores have a very limited selection (if any) of what I'm interested in. Direct distribution is today's reality. The best record store in North America is CDBaby.com, but I still prefer to buy directly from the artist via their website or at shows.
21 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Amen Anna!!
I personally like the way Mr. Ellis held back and made an article that was true to the title.
All this crying about the major labels & "Industry" standards is old news! The internet has blazed the way for numerous indie labels to distribute their product and keep the little guy alive. The reason why these major cd shops don't have a great selection is due to the noose that has been applied to "physical" distribution by the conglomerate(AOL-Time/Warner).
If you're a band that wants to do anything with your cds, it has to be on the internet. Moving mass quantity of anything physical to a store is just no longer cost efficient. Having a shop is too much overhead. Besides, if ya wanna find your " next Born To Run, Dark Side Of the Moon, or OK Computer" it's gonna be through CDBaby or some website like that. Face it, the future of music is gonna be when they make Internet2 available & inexpensive for consumers. Then you'll be able to download whole discographies in a .wav format or .avi files in seconds. By that time there is going to be something that totally blows SACD/DVD-A or HD DVD out of the water, Especially, considering that digital is almost at the same sound quality of analog.People aren't going to want to store CDs or DVDs in their homes anymore... Download it & store in your 5 Petabit HardDrive.
22 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*WHAT?* You don't believe me? Look at the advertising for X-Drive right here on Blogcritics...
23 - Iloz Zoc
Quite a shock for me: I loved their huge magazine rack for the horror and sci-fi mags (especially smaller ones you normally wouldn't see at Borders or elsewhere). I rarely bought any music there anymore since I could find it at lower cost on Amazon. Ditto on the DVDs, though browsing the shelves was always informative.
But it is the passing of a way of music life for many of us that is sad.
24 - Stephen V Funk
Tower was one of the only retail music stores where a person could actually find a fairly large quantity of NON-shit "deep catalogue" music -- that was the beauty of it, especially for us Classical and Jazz fans. Hell, they even have a "20th Century Classical" section in the Chicago stores (try finding that at Walmart, Best Buy, or Borders.)
I've found so much great stuff just aimlessly browsing at Tower and other stores like it over the years (and years). There's still nothing quite like the thrill of buying an album on impulse (without listening to it first), running home, and playing it. Sometimes you get burned. But the times you take a chance get your mind blown by something new -- very exciting.
True, the cool indie-shops will survive -- but they don't tend to stock much Jazz or Classical. So -- I guess Amazon, etc. is the last place to shop for that stuff, until all music becomes downloads, at which point I'm going back to strictly 78s and 8-tracks.
25 - DJRadiohead
I had gotten to the point of driving two hours to Nashville to shop at Tower. Damn, this rots.