man do I miss Tower records and

You are deluded! Tower Records was mismanaged, and a victim of greed. Not only from within, but from the record companies as well. The record companies thought that they could continue to command $18 for a new CD, even as the business was being stolen out from under their noses. And in turn, Tower continued to charge the record labels exorbitant prices for stock positioning, and advertising as their customer base disappeared. Another huge drain on Tower's resources was it's constant expansion. With each new store costing $10 mil to open, they continued to expand even as they struggled to pay their bills. It had nothing to do with an available lack of new musical talent.

Once a year I fly to Los Angeles from New Orleans with a fist full o' cash headed for Amoeba--this place is totally hip and packed with people enjoying the vibe of the store. The one on Sunset has a bigger New Orleans music section than the big local store in my city---New Orleans!!!
I will spend about 7 hours a day for 2 days once a year... and when I get home I look foreward to my return to Amoeba for another year!

The part that upsets me is the actual going out and strolling about town. While doing other things I always planned a stop into Tower Records to shop for my jazz CDs.

Granted I always waited for a sale, but when they had one I made multiple purchases. Good for me and good for them.

Now I'm left with J&R Music World in NYC, which is not bad but I always went to both stores and killed an afternoon or an evening investing in a hobby I love. And Tower was always open later than J&R, so I could leave my house later and still make it on time to browse.

My friends don't go to the movies anymore-they download whatever they want to see because they don't want to spend money on a movie, but they are missing the point.

Its' the going and sitting in a theatre and socializing with friends that makes the experience.

Now sometimes I walk out my door when I'm bored and I realize there is nowhere to go but back upstairs onto the computer because that's where everyone else is.

Pathetic.

I agree with you Berzin.....so true.....I do miss Tower.

Cajunpepe,

You should time your visit with the first Sunday of the month where the Pasadena city college on Colorado blvd. flea market usually has some great vinyl finds