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Bye bye Rhino
Join music fans from around the city in bidding a sad farewell to the Rhino Records Store in Westwood this weekend. After a couple of decades of selling records, then 8-tracks, cassettes and CDs, it will be shutting its doors; the very last parking lot sale is this Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. That's at 2028 Westwood Blvd, in the parking lot.
Everyone probably has their own favorite Rhino Records memory. They used to have lots of live performances, and the staff would, they say, do things like order a Japanese pressing of Can's Tago Mago for you.
But for us, it wasn't anything nearly as cool. Gripped by an inexplicable desire, one day we brought a used Carpenter's CD up to the counter: The Singles, 1969-1973. It's got "Superstar," "Top of the World" and, most importantly, "(They Long to Be) Close to You." The cashier gathered the rest of the staff around when they saw what we had. They all looked mournfully at the Carpenters CD. We thought they must be sorry to see such a great musical collection go; they were, they explained. "That's the one we use to clear the store when it's time to go home."
Luckily for them, there were several Celine Dion selections for them to use next. What do you remember about Rhino?
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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