• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Tower Records Founder Russ Solomon Dies

March 5, 2018/by Jessica Nicholson


Russ Solomon
, who developed Tower Records into one of the world’s largest music and video retail chains, has died at age 92 at his home in Sacramento, California on Sunday, March 4.

Solomon, born in 1922, developed Tower records from a section in his father’s drug store in Sacramento, California in 1941, and by 1960 had opened the first Tower Records. He developed Tower Records to an international chain store that at its peak had nearly 200 stores in 21 states nationwide. According to CBS News, the company held up to 180,000 music titles in its largest stores.

In 1995, Tower Records became one of the first retailers to move online, offering RealAudio samples on Tower.com, as well as 99 cent digital downloads in Liquid Audio format. The company would go on to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time in 2006 as the music industry was affected by music piracy, and underwent the transition from physical product to downloads and later streaming.

Solomon’s story was documented in 2015 with All Things Must Pass, a look at the Tower Records story. Solomon has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

Music Business Association (Music Biz) president James Donio said of Solomon’s passing, “Music Biz is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of a true music industry legend and icon, Russ Solomon. As the founder and CEO of Tower Records, Russ was one of the primary architects of NARM in its formative years. His and Tower’s presence and influence loomed large in our Association for many decades. You always felt the love when Tower was in the room. He served on our Board of Directors and held the office of Chairman from 1987-88. During his tenure, he presented his Chairman’s Award to Barbra Streisand, which he remembered as a highlight of his career. He himself was honored with our Presidential Award for Sustained Executive Achievement in 1999. I fondly recall walking with him through the ‘Gallery of Memories’ we created for our 50th Anniversary Convention in 2008 as he provided a running commentary of each and every photo and piece of memorabilia we displayed. Russ returned to our annual conference for the first time in many years as we honored his dear friend John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville with that same Award in 2016. Coincidentally, he sat with Mary Wilson of The Supremes at our Industry Jam that same year, and I recall this surreal moment looking out into the audience and seeing them chatting and laughing together. I am so lucky to have known and worked with Russ during my nearly 30 years here at the Association. Russ was quite outspoken and having a conversation with him about the music business was always a priceless education. He never ceased to amaze me with his unique wit and wisdom. I had actually just spoken with Russ a few days ago about a special tribute we’re planning for him at our 60th Anniversary Conference in May, and he planned to be there. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Russ’ beloved Patti, his family, friends, colleagues, and all of the music fans around the world who have a special memory of what Tower Records meant to them.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].
Jessica Nicholson
Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)
  • CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
  • Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
  • Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Russ-Solomon-Ratio.jpg 380 570 Jessica Nicholson https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Jessica Nicholson2018-03-05 16:57:232019-03-22 11:37:19Tower Records Founder Russ Solomon Dies
You might also like
Primetime ‘Nashville’: Episode 105
Bobby Karl Works The 2018 Tin Pan South Kickoff Party
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville Signs Ben Hayslip
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Jumps To No. 2 On Overall Albums Chart
CCMA Wins With Canadian Hospitality And Talent
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • On The Row: Emily Ann Roberts Shares Her Story & Classic Country Style June 2, 2023
  • Warren Zeiders’ ‘Pretty Little Poison’ Due In August June 2, 2023
  • Sony Music Nashville Partners With Ryan Tedder’s Runner Music To Sign David J June 2, 2023
  • Industry Ink: Buddy Jewell, Lee Greenwood, T. Graham Brown, More June 2, 2023
  • Ashley McBryde Turns It Up A Notch On Upcoming LP, ‘The Devil I Know’ June 2, 2023
  • Bobby Karl Works The Room: Grammy Chapter Hosts ‘Party Of The Year’ June 2, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Wendy Moten Releases A ‘Groove-Saturated Sonic Slab Of Soul’ June 2, 2023
  • 23rd Annual Truist Hot Dog Day To Be Held On June 8 June 2, 2023
  • 2023 TSU Music Business Accelerator Program Concludes June 2, 2023
  • Jon Pardi Brings ‘Your Heart Or Mine’ To The Top Of The MusicRow Chart June 2, 2023
  • Rachel Fontenot Exits Position At Leo33 June 2, 2023
  • Big Machine Music Extends Publishing Deals With Chart-Topping Songwriters June 1, 2023
  • Recording Academy Elects National Officers, Leaders To 2023-2024 Board June 1, 2023
  • Dierks Bentley To Host 2023 NHL Awards At Bridgestone Arena June 1, 2023
  • K-Love Awards Set To Air On TBN June 2 June 1, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top