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A Guide To The Last Surviving Record Stores Around LA

vinyl records store 610 header
(credit: Shutterstock)

"Mommy, what's a record?"
At one point in my life vinyl was the only way to listen to music (ok fine, there were 8-track tapes too but most of us are trying to forget about those entirely). Then cassettes took over and ruled the world for a long time. Slowly cd's and mp3's inched their way in and began to dominate the music industry. But call it nostalgia or call it a search for purity, vinyl is back – with a vengeance. It is not only oldies and classic hits that you will find at today's record store, you will also be introduced to new indie bands and some amazing art work as decorative vinyl is also making a resurgence.

Amoeba Records
(credit: Amoeba)

Amoeba Music
6400 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 245-6400
www.amoeba.com

Probably the most famous record store in the Los Angeles area. Amoeba has been selling (and trading) vinyl since 2001 in their biggest store of the 3 (the other two are located in San Francisco and Berkley). They deal in new and used vinyls of all sizes, 33's, 45's and even 78's! If you are not averse to waiting in lines you can usually find a live performance by artists of many different genres. My son has seen Paul McCartney perform there as well as Indie bands that may never be seen again.

rockaway records
(credit: Mark S./Yelp)

Rockaway Records
2395 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-3232
www.rockaway.com

As one of the last record stores around, Rockaway Records is a great spot in Silverlake selling collectables since 1979. Here, you'll find everything from Punk records to R&B, Classical and everything in between. In addition, shop posters, memorabilia and much more.

kwanza300
(credit: vacationvinyl.com)

Vacation Vinyl
3815 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 666-2111
www.vacationvinyl.com

One of the newer record stores on the scene, Vacation Vinyl are vinyl-centric and focus mostly on Indie and first run new vinyl as opposed to the used classical vinyl of most record stores. Buying, selling and trading new and used vinyl, you can often find many in-store events from signings to performances as well.

origami vinyl record YELP
(credit: Miguel M./Yelp)

Origami
1816 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-3030
www.origamiorigami.com

Located on Sunset in Echo Park, Origami is not only a vinyl shop but an independent label as well. Here, you'll find old, new and obscure titles alike. Enjoy in-store performances almost every evening as well.

Canterbury Records -verified
(credit: Jacques./Yelp)

Canterbury Records
805 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 792-7184
www.canterburyrecords.com

As one of Pasadena's only places to get vinyl, Canterbury has hundreds of thousands of titles on hand, including many rarely cataloged big band, vocal, show, jazz & classical titles. Other extensive sections including blues, theatre organ, country, folk, and world music and virtually anything else that you can think of.

Adrienne Van Houten is a Glendale area blogger. She can be found blogging at Adrienne's House hanging out, come on over and put your feet up.
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