If you were around Bleeker St in the early 80's you most likely popped in to the infamous Bleeker Bob's Record Store. This was not only a shop but a hang out for the coolest of cool punk rock kids, by that I mean me.
50 years old and getting thrown out (basically) as the rents too high for the shop to sustain. Stay tuned it'll end up another designer boutique (hello John Vivaros). It's a sad thing but its a great thing, in some ways. It will never endure the aging syndrome of loss of grandeur, it will be steeped in urban legend and those of us who actually did time there can be more smug as we are with places like Danceteria and CBGB's, 'we were there…"
Below, is the thirty minute documentary on the infamous shop. Its somewhat gut wrenching and melancholy. This was the time when we actually had record shops that the staff who could recommend music to you.
Some of the players in this film are hipster assholes but some of them are legit from back in the day. Wow, this makes me sad and actually i wish I kept going there and made it a stop each time I'm was in the city.
It's tough to watch your youth close shop. Please don't let the Village become a Times Square antiseptic. Where are the shops with magic marker category markers?
I wasn't the only famous person who went in this shop… Frank Zappa, Robert Plant,Joni Mitchell, Debbie Harry….yeah..and "Whats his name, from The Clash"…
They say they will reopen in a new location……but it wont be the same. Sad times..