Questions and Answers (Q&A) Forgotten Chicago Forum
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Music Werks
Posted by:
kramden26
()
Date: May 22, 2012 11:27PM
Does anyone remember a huge record store in Norridge called Music Werks? I have searched the internet for information about it, or a picture & it's like the place never existed. It was a huge record store near Rolling Stone records & specialized in import records. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Craig
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
rjmachon
()
Date: May 23, 2012 08:06AM
I just read something about them here. I think that they had a picture of them as well. I haven't heard that name in years until just a couple of weeks ago. Weren't they on Harlem Avenue?
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
kramden26
()
Date: May 23, 2012 08:03PM
Yeah, Music Werks was close to Harlem & Irving not too far from Rolling Stone Records. Maybe where the old Harlem Ave.Drive-In was? Can't seem to find thread about Music Werks. Would love to see a picture if someone could please repost it.Looking for anything from there even an ad with their logo. Thanks,Craig
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
rjmachon
()
Date: May 25, 2012 01:56PM
I think if I found it right, Music Werks was base out of Seattle, Washington. If really didn't say much about them that they closed up. Due to online music. The picture was of their sign I think and it had to do with some old picture thread someone posted here in Forgotten Chicago.
If I come across it again I will let you know. I have been there I know, but that was years and years ago. 1975 I would image.
Why don't you check with the Village of Norridge. Maybe they can lead you to some info or there historical society might have some info on it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/2012 02:12PM by rjmachon.
If I come across it again I will let you know. I have been there I know, but that was years and years ago. 1975 I would image.
Why don't you check with the Village of Norridge. Maybe they can lead you to some info or there historical society might have some info on it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/2012 02:12PM by rjmachon.
Re: Music Works?
Posted by:
tomcat630
()
Date: May 29, 2012 01:09AM
Yeah Musicworks* was a huge store, back when vinyl LP's ruled. Not to be confused with 'Rolling Stones records' nearby. The TV/radio ads had 'electronic' jingle fo 'Musicworks'.
It opened in 1979 and didn't last long before it became another Musicland** branch by 1981 or so? The space was cut down, too, and was not 'cool' anymore.
*I honestly don't remember the actual spelling, was it really 'werks'?
**Musicland stores were never cool to album rock fans in the day. They were where little sister or mom got Top-40 pop music.
It opened in 1979 and didn't last long before it became another Musicland** branch by 1981 or so? The space was cut down, too, and was not 'cool' anymore.
*I honestly don't remember the actual spelling, was it really 'werks'?
**Musicland stores were never cool to album rock fans in the day. They were where little sister or mom got Top-40 pop music.
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
HOLTANEK
()
Date: May 30, 2012 01:14AM
Music Works (or Werks) was on the North side of Forest preserve drive about a block east of Harlem. If you were heading east on FPD from Harlem, it was the first left turn you could make into the stores that replaced the long gone Harlem Outdoor. There's another business there now but I dont know or couldnt care less. They gave Rolling Stone a slight run for their $, but eventually closed due to big-time corporate f*ck-ups. As I recall it was an decent store when vinyl was still king. It's actually amazing that Rolling Stone can still compete with the digital download scenario. Why are you so interested in it?
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
davey7
()
Date: June 08, 2012 08:14PM
There are a surprising number of specialist record stores left - if you have a unique niche, people seem to flock to it.
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
rnelson775
()
Date: March 23, 2013 07:58AM
For what it's worth folks it was MusicWorks I was the manager that opened it. It never had the hipness of Rolling Stone or the bargain reputation of Peaches.It was defineately diiferent though and as far as I know it was the largest store in the world when it opened. Of course it was owned by Musicland which had the deepish pockets but was only used to mall stores. It was too much for them to fathom, and it ended up not so much independent but part of the Chicago district of stores which took the cachet { whatever it had } away. One thing we did that I never saw anywhere else was called the truckload sale. I would go to the returns warehouse in Minneapolis and pull thousands of not so popular albums, have them shipped to the store and then sell them at 2 or 3 for a dollar.
Cheers ,
Rick Nelson
Cheers ,
Rick Nelson
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
Rayfotoman
()
Date: March 02, 2014 04:09PM
Wow...I this is amazing because I have searched for ANYTHING on this topic and usually nothing. I too worked there in '79 and left for a year and came back in 1981 for another period until I made it known I wanted to move up...Well, their asst. managers weren't making nearly enough for me to raise a family on. So I moved on and slowly the store changed and the people left and that was it. BUT, it left me with great memories of a very unusual store that had to compete with the might "stones"....But we did. I have a few pics from the inside of it but don't know if they are postable or not...meaning I don't see how to (just signed up on here today). The coolest thing about the place was the stage...lots of bands came in for "in stores" and meet and greets. I was really happy to see Rick Nelson's posting above...He was a great manager and friend. Hopefully he and I can re-connect and chat about this brief moment in our history..
Thanks!
Ray Zirkle
Thanks!
Ray Zirkle
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
tomcat630
()
Date: March 13, 2014 12:58AM
Music purists called MusicWerks [Musicland] 'too commercial', and were loyal to Rolling Stone. before they added 's' at the end.
It was only 'werks' for like 2 years and than was just a larger generic Musicland.
It was only 'werks' for like 2 years and than was just a larger generic Musicland.
Re: Music Werks
Posted by:
Anonymous User
()
Date: September 30, 2015 06:58PM
Hi! I was searching for some information and a picture of MusicWorks and found this site. I managed that store for roughly a year in the 80's. It was a great place but Musicland was a tough company to work for.
We used to put speakers on the roof and play music out onto the parking lot on the weekend. I had some fine employees too. Lousy bosses though.
Hi Rick!
Chuck Vosganian
We used to put speakers on the roof and play music out onto the parking lot on the weekend. I had some fine employees too. Lousy bosses though.
Hi Rick!
Chuck Vosganian
