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The Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum closed its doors at 8 p.m. for the last time on Jan 18, after 16 years of business in Harajuku. The museum comprised the Get Back Beatles store, the Love Me Tender Elvis Presley store, and the Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones store.
All three were run by Japan Allround Music Inc, which began operations with their official Beatles goods store in Takadanobaba in 1982. They opened Love Me Tender and Gimme Shelter in 1985 and 1986 respectively, and relocated the three shops to Harajuku in 1993.
A spokesman for Japan Allround Music cited increases in rent and other factors as reasons for the decision to close down, but said they will continue to sell goods on their home page and at special events.
Around 300 people gathered to watch the closing ceremony, which included the covering-over of the famous statue of Elvis Presley outside the store, as “Love Me Tender” played in the background. The statue was partly paid for by contributions from former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Some of those in attendance called for Koizumi to help revive the store once he retires from politics, and others could not help but cry as a sheet was draped over the statue.
Japan Allround Music said they would let people know where the statue would be re-located to as soon as possible, via their website.
One Beatles fan who frequented the store as often as once a week, said: “There are lots of record shops around, but this store in Harajuku was the only one of its kind. They used to hold items for me, and I valued the chats I used to have with staff and other customers. You can’t check merchandise physically over the Internet, and you don’t talk to other customers, so it’s all a bit sad. Even if it takes time, I want them to re-open.”
© Japan Today
19 Comments
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bakabaka
So its a bunch of shops, not a museum?
telecasterplayer
Is the "Oh no I've got herpes" Madonna Store still open?
shouganaika
maniac fan/hobbyist chat, hmmm I wonder if the listener enjoyed it as much as he did
GW
i never even knew this "" museum "" existed..........oh well I have lots of Tshirts already so.......
ultradodgy
It was in a bad, off-pitch location and never really seemed terribly inviting. I would be shocked (shocked!) if rental increases were the reasons for closing the store - this whole sub-market is in a downturn now, and if they were able to survive the rent increases in '07 and '08 there is no way they would have to fold now.
Score another victory for J-Pop...
USAFdude
Terrible news! My son and I loved Get Back! :-(
Dennis Bauer
Elvis has left the building....store
TokyoGas
There was a Rock n' Roll Museum in Harajuku? Never heard of it.
KAGOME26
It`s a shame its closing Its the sign of the times Unfortunately
Nessie
Rock and roll never die--- nevermind.
Nessie
That's in the Simplex Multiplex.
nath
Well good rock still rolls in Minamirinkan on the Odakyu line. Great little restaurant called ラ―カ。Not sure if we are allowed to post a business name, but the place is great and the owner is like the coolest greaser you will find in Japan and the decor is very cool. People up above wrote the Madonna store and this Elvis Museum, so I do not see why not Rocker. Hope to see you there. Japanese is a plus. Rocker does not Rock n Roll with English.
gamera
What about the "I am really white trying to be black" Puff Daddy store?
DJ_Fuzz
This place is a museum. And the Hard Rock Cafe is free public-access "food-viewing" center.
"Japan Allround Music cited increases in rent and other factors as reasons for the decision to close down"It seems they forgot to mention "And also, we are selling merchandise from artists that haven't mattered for approximately 35 years. So really, it's a wonder we've lasted this long."
neverknow2
Yeah it was crap is the real reason. Rock n roll is about breaking the rules and being wild. Not having an Elvis look and bowing to everyone in sight.
Bartholomew Harte
Maybe they can relocate to Las Vegas! If they put in a 'Sinatra's Salami"shop I know just the spot!!- HOBOKEN,N>J. U.S.A. Old ?Blue Eyes"broke all the rules!!
trente_sylphs
Awe man! I was in Okinawa when they built the store.. So sad to see it go.... Now theres loads of hippitastic japanese kids who wont be able to buy the vintage music tees... Bahumbug! :/
PuffinMuffin
it can't be the Beatles club on Takeshitadori, it's much older.
nath
Does anybody knows if they move somewhere else?