Rock of Ages has been in business in Pekin for close to three decades. Impressive considering how record stores are vanishing these days. Like so many shops and places around here, it’s been over twenty years since I’ve been there, let’s go see what’s spinning at Rock of Ages!
And we're off, it's another sunny day, but the high is going to be about 5 degrees with a wind chill later of around 15 below zero. I really don't like to complain, but let me just throw this out there for the hell of it—I FUCKING HATE WINTER AND IT'S NEVER GOING TO END! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! Okay, I'm better, onwards and upwards.
Oh no...
The dreaded bridge looms ahead. I hate driving over bridges almost more than I hate winter. Life sure isn't easy.
Alright, through the miracle of the internet you're spared a white knuckle drive over that goddamned bridge and here we are!
They are open...the shadow knows!
And here we are inside of Rock of Ages. It looks pretty much the same as I remember it from years ago.
There's a familiar face over there...
It's John, the owner of Rock of Ages. As I approached him we both remembered that we had met years ago when we did an article on Rock of Ages for my old magazine, POP. And this can only mean one thing...time to cue up "It's A Small World After All!" Sorry about that!
Stickers hang overhead the front counter. Check out the one's for "Highway and Interstate 420." I think those are the high roads leading to Colorado!
A Buddha or a sculpture of a very well-tanned Dom Deluise? You make the call!
Here's a shot from the back of the shop.
There's jewelry and various knick-knacks housed in the front counters up here.
And here's some smoking supplies available at the store.
Wow, here's a blast from the past, a whole rack of cassette tapes! A real C30-C60-C90 Go! Bow Wow Wow moment!
I can't figure out if those are the opening bands for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or the menu for the evening.
There's a small vinyl section here in the back of the store.
Wow, The Blues Magoos, I had forgotten all about this band. This is one thing I love about hanging out in record stores, rekindling old memories.
I don't have a turntable, so let's turn our attention to the racks of compact discs for sale.
Are you like me and are you wondering just who in the hell is Matt Flinner? Well, wonder no more. Oh the things we learn at MBIP!
It appears we've stumbled upon the White Noise section of the store!
The Raiders...as in Paul Revere and the Raiders, they were the first band I ever saw live in concert...
And here's their very first album on CD, this is one of the few albums of theirs I've never owned.
Owned! It was great to see John again and fun to tour Rock of Ages again. We'll see you all tomorrow!
Rock of Ages
1815 Broadway
Pekin, Ilinois
309-353-8146
Related Posts: Shop Hop @ Flores Music, Ethel’s Emporium and Shop Hop—Lovers Playground (Formerly Swingers World).
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
Electric Fetus Records Photo From Jaws the Cabbie!
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