Manny's proprietor dies at 88

After 74 years in business Manny's Music in Manhattan closed in 2009. In a long career Henry Goldrich sold high end musical instruments to a who's who of the music world. The business, started by his father, became a mecca for musicians living in or visiting the Big Apple. 

Famous rock names will forever be associated with the West 48th Street premises, purposely sited close to 52nd St, Broadway, recording studios and the Brill Building. 

Goldrich introduced Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to the wah-wah, David Bowie and Mick Jagger were ushered out because their presence caused a commotion, holding up business! And the savvy Goldrich sold a Fender Stratocaster to one Gordon Sumner who would later play it when writing and performing Message in a Bottle and other worldwide hits. Sting later donated the instrument to the Smithsonian Institution. One can only imagine those who dropped by at the height of the bebop era. One such was Ella Fitzgerald who acted as babysitter to Mr Goldrich when his parents went out to lunch! 

A New York Times obituary (www.nytimes.com) noted Henry Goldrich's self-effacing reply when asked about his musical ability: I play cash register. Mr Goldrich died on February16. He was 88.  

Russell

PS: Photo from The New York Times.