The 48th street of old

[jgsbass]

I had a gig atop Rockefeller Center ( worlds worst load in, by the way) and had a few minutes to kill: I was around the corner from 48th street so I ambled on over to kill some time. I'm pretty close in age to dirt so I can remember my first trip to 48th street and living in Manhattan, the hundred other trips I made to this historic mecca. Now when you go, theres practically nothing that comes close to giving that old nostalgic vibe: No Jimmy's, no Frank Wolf, no Terminal Music. Not even a We Buy or an ESP store. I thought it might be interesting for us NYC geezers to recount our many life altering trips to this locale.
My first ( before I was playing music but this may have had a huge impact in my future) trip there was on my birthday to eat at a smorgasbord restaurant that was on the block. When we finished dinner, my family decided to walk down the block to help aid in the digestion process. Oh My God, it was the coolest things I had ever seen! Electric guitars ( pre Beatles, mind you) drums stacked up on top of each other, it all looked sooo good. Then to top it off, walking back to the subway, we passed the Metropole, where Gene Krupa was still playing, pretty much trading fours with a rock and roll band, go-go dancers and all. All I know was, I was hooked at an early age.

[Wally Malone]

My wife has a photo with Gene Krupa when her band, The Jewels was on the bill with him at the Metropole.

We met in NYC in the 60's both playing at the Wagon Wheel.

Wally

[DWBass]

I think I was around 16 (1975) when I walked down to Dyre Ave (#5 Train) from Mount Vernon to head down to 48th street for the first time with a few friends! I didn't buy anything but I was amazed at how much musical equipment was in there back then. Went to Sam Ash, checked out Manny's, checked out every other store on the block. I've literally visited 48th street 100's of times over the years. I'm in Virginia now but there's nothing like NYC and busy music stores!

[KJung]

My first experience with the 48 street thing was, I believe in the later 80's. I'll never forget playing my first Ken Smith, and then heading down to Ken's old shop (I think 21st off of Broadway) to spec out my first 5 string!

I haven't been back in a while, but I remember that even in the later 90's, many shops in other parts of the country had caught up with the 48th street thing, and it wasn't quite as amazing.

[oldrocker]

Nice video jgs.

I lived in Floral Park until the 4th grade when we moved to the "suburbs". I lived right around the corner from PS 191. How is the old neighborhood.