Legendary Los Angeles record store Rhino Records resurfaces for 2 weeks with concerts

By Phyllis Pollack

Rhino Records, the famed Westwood record retailer that shared its name with record label known, for its catalogue reissues Rhino, opened on Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, opened by 1973 at the hand of Richard Foos. It became a record distributor five years later as a result of efforts that heavily involved the efforts of then-store manager Harold Bronson. The store, which was noted on "Record Store Day," closed in January 2006. Old customers and fans of physical product will be ecstatic to know the store will reopen for a very limited run from May 17 - 30, 2010. A series of concerts will and other events will ensue.

It's the pop-up store to end all pop-up stores, a reprise of a golden era when idiosyncratic customers and clerks sparked a musical revolution and catalyzed real-life debates that were more passionate than anything seen in High Fidelity.

Rhino is, for back from the grave bringing its legacy of unique fun with incredulous deals, in-store performances for one last spin for the event Hope in Action. All proceeds will go to Chrysalis Enterprises, an LA nonprofit that transitions the unfortunate folks into employment.

Rhino founder Richard Foos is bidding farewell to Los Angeles after 40 plus years to move to New York. Foos, who strongly believes in merging one's social values with business has installed a strong sense of purpose. Not wanting to move thousands upon thousands of albums and DVDs to New York, he decided to let it fly out the door to raise money for a good cause.

The store, located at 1740 Westwood Blvd,will be selling not only his own product, but also thousands more records and CDs that Foos and his accomplices have been able to collect from his many media industry friends. It is expected that over 100,000 individual items will be sold over the course of Rhino's reopening, with a goal of raising $100,000 for Chrysalis Enterprises, a non-profit organization that has helped address the problems of the economically disadvantaged of Los Angeles county for more than 25 years. Foos, it should be noted, serves on the board of Chrysalis as well as other organizations that have a strong commitment to social progress.

Located only 50 feet and a few doors down Westwood Blvd. from its original location, a schedule of commemorative events is shaping up. Some highlights include:

Monday, May 17: Screening of No Autographs, No Encores, a 35-minute performance film of Nirvana's live performance at Rhino Records in 1989. This was the band's first gig outside Seattle and the late Kurt Cobain's favorite document of his pre - Dave Grohl band when it was a four-piece.

Wednesday, May 19: Mixology with DJ Clockwork

Thursday, May 20: The Blasters reunited in-store performance

Friday, May 21: Richard Thompson in-store performance

Saturday, May 22: mike watt + missingmen in-store performance

Sunday, May 23: Spain in-store performance

Monday, May 24: Los Angeles Songwriters night - stay tuned for details

Tuesday, May 25: Roger Steffens screens and curates his Intimate Moments with Reggae’s Greats

Wednesday, May 26: Maria McKee Band in-store performance

Thursday, May 27: Peter Case and guests perform selections from Wig! to be released June 29 on Yep Rock

Friday, May 28: Life After Rhino: former Rhino employees plus in-store signing of Record Store Days by authors Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo: Screening Final Vinyl film chronicling historic Rhino Records in-store performances by Nick Lowe, Del Rubio Triplets, They Might Be Giants, Lucinda Williams, Steve Wynn and more.

Saturday May 29: First U.S. screening of One Man Beatles, Italian documentary film about the life of the enigmatic Emitt Rhodes. Members of his band The Merry-Go-Round will be in attendance.

Sunday, May 30: Return of Wharf Rat Tales with Wednesday Week, The Urinals a/k/a The 100 Flowers and The Last with Joe Nolte

Monday, May 31: Original Rhino Daze. A cast of characters closely associated with Rhino in its hey day will be on hand to whatever it is they do. Among those expected: Dr. Demento, Wild Man Fischer, Ruben & The Jets, Barnes & Barnes (the "Fishheads" duo), Big Daddy, Temple City Kazoo Orchestra.