The Record Alley originally opened in 1978 on North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California and founded by Jim and Shelly Stephens.[1][2][3][4][5]Missing Persons had an in-store signing there attended by hundreds of fans.[1] Later in 1985, the store moved to the then Palm Desert Mall.[1][4] Since then, it has been visited by such musical artists as Alice Cooper, Billy Gibbons, Barry Manilow, and New Boyz.[1] New Boyz had an on-site dance contest that caused a riot and subsequently covered by KESQ-TV.[1]
In November 2013, the store's Record Store Day featured special performances from local performers.[3]
In April 2015, a few hundred people attended the store's Record Store Day.[7]
In December 2016, the Record Alley received significant sales after Christmas.[8]
In October 2017, the Hellions' first official release Hymns From the Other Side was made available for purchase at the Record Alley.[9] The band, Reborn by the Sunshine, which includes hair and make-up artist Chelsea Dorris on banjo, played there as well.[10]
In December 2020, the company announced that it would be going out of business, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.[11]
Reception
Billboard's Ed Christman said the Record Alley was "unusual, if not unique, by two counts [...] one of the only independent stores still operating in an enclosed mall."[2] Former Record Store Day ambassador and Queens of the Stone Age founder Josh Homme endorsed the Record Alley.[12] The Record Alley also received Coachella Valley Independent's award "Best Retail Music/Video Store" for 2016.[13]
References
^ abcdeBreeding, Ashley (March 28, 2014). "Spin Doctors". Palm Springs Life. Desert Publications Inc. Retrieved April 20, 2017.