The Genius of Russ Solomon

Russ Solomon was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the music industry with his retail chain, Tower Records. Founded in Sacramento, California in 1960, Tower Records became a mecca for music lovers worldwide. Solomon built his empire from the ground up, starting with a small store that sold records and hi-fi equipment, and expanding it into a global retail giant with over 200 stores in 15 countries.

Solomon’s passion for music was evident from a young age. He grew up in Sacramento and started selling records out of his father’s drugstore in the 1940s. As a teenager, he worked at a local record store and eventually went on to open his own shop. In the early days, Tower Records was a small storefront with a few racks of records and a handful of employees. But Solomon’s love of music and dedication to customer service quickly made the store a local favorite.

One of the keys to Tower Records’ success was its focus on customer experience. Solomon understood that people didn’t just come to Tower to buy records; they came for the sense of community and connection that came with being a music fan. Tower Records was more than just a store; it was a cultural hub where people could come together to share their love of music.

As Tower Records grew in popularity, Solomon expanded the business beyond Sacramento. He opened new stores in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other major cities across the country. In the 1970s and 1980s, Tower Records became the go-to destination for music lovers worldwide, with stores in Japan, Europe, and beyond.

But Tower Records’ success was not without its challenges. The rise of digital music and the decline of physical media sales in the early 2000s hit the company hard. In 2004, Tower Records filed for bankruptcy, and all of its stores were eventually closed.

SIDEBAR: “physical Tower Records shops are still big … in Japan. Tower Records Japan is separate from the original U.S. company and is now owned by the telecommunications giant, NTT Docomo. But Tower Records Japan still follows the business principles set out by the company’s late founder Russ Solomon.”–Google Search Nov 1 2022

Despite the sad end to Tower Records, Russ Solomon’s legacy lives on. He was a true pioneer in the music industry, and his impact on the way people consume and experience music cannot be overstated. Solomon’s dedication to customer service and his love of music created a unique culture that made Tower Records more than just a store; it was a cultural phenomenon.

In the years since Tower Records closed, there has been a resurgence of interest in physical media. Vinyl records have experienced a comeback, with sales reaching levels not seen since the 1980s. This renewed interest in physical media is a testament to the enduring legacy of Russ Solomon and Tower Records.

Solomon passed away in 2018 at the age of 92. He was remembered by many as a kind and generous person who truly loved music and the people who shared his passion. His impact on the music industry will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of music fans and entrepreneurs.

‘All Things Must Pass’ is a 2015 documentary that explores the rise and fall of Tower Records, and its legacy forged by its rebellious founder, Russ Solomon. The excellent film paints the entire picture of the music industry from the early 70s until around the end of the millennium: napster, mp3s, the digital age.