Before Rockaway Records opened its doors, Brothers Wayne and Gary Johnson began re-selling albums in 1979 after attending one of the legendary record swap meets in the Capitol Records parking lot in Hollywood. What began as a hobby more than 35 years ago quickly turned into a business when they were virtually forced to open a store, if only to house their growing music collection!
Rockaway purchased Rainbow Records, a small well-known record store in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. They then started selling new and used records and cassettes in addition to collectibles. Rockaway grew so quickly that they had to move 2 more times, finally settling into the present Silver Lake location in 1992.
SLB caught up with Wayne for a shotgun Rockaway Records interview, here’s what this Rock ‘n’ Roll enthusiast had to say…
Wayne Johnson with the legendary Beatles “butcher cover”
Rockaway Records
I think I should get the most important question out of the way before it’s too late. What was the biggest hurdle mixing business and family?
No real hurdles, my brother/partner Gary and I get along well most of the time. My brother Alan worked for us for a few years, then opened a Rockaway Records store in Mesa, AZ. My brother Bob worked for us for about 25 years. My brother Scott opened a Rockaway Records store in Brisbane Australia.
How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
36 years
What musician did you grow up idolizing?
Brian Wilson
How has the use of technology impacted your profession over the past decade?
It changed our business drastically in many ways. We used to mail thousands of catalogs around the world several times a year at a huge expense. Now, thanks to our website, we haven’t mailed a catalog in 20 years. When we mailed catalogs, the average time it took to sell an item was about 2 months. Now, some of our best items sell within hours of listing on our website.
If you had a treasure map… what record is worth an international crusade?
A stereo copy of Bob Dylan’s original Freewheeling album from 1963 that plays the 4 withdrawn songs – Talkin John Birch Blues/Let me die in my footsteps/Gamblin Willies/Rocks & gravel. Only 3 copies are known to exist. we sold one about 15 years ago for $40,000.
Jonathan Richman
Rockaway Records
What is your opinion on pop culture in the digital streaming age?
It is so different than when I was growing up. I had to work hard to buy a few 45s each week. Now with Apple Music I have 30,000,000 songs in my collection ! But something is missing, the picture sleeves on the 45s, the cool album covers and liner notes. Those are the kind of things that turn music lovers into collectors.
What are your thoughts on how quickly Silver Lake and the rest of the Eastside neighborhoods are changing? I think its amazing ! When we opened our first store in Silver Lake in 1982, most of our customers who lived on the Westside or Orange County never heard of Silver Lake. Now everyone knows of Silver Lake. While Silver Lake has always been a great place to live or have a business, the surrounding areas were not so nice. Now places like Echo Park and Highland Park are great.
Do you own or rent your home?
Own a house in Eagle Rock
Who coined the name Rockaway Records?
My brother/partner Gary. He was a big Ramones fan, and got the name from their song Rockaway Beach.
What are your favorite local spots for dining and relaxing…Besides Rockaway Records? Michelangelo Ristorante in Silver Lake or Little Beast Restaurant in Eagle Rock
What was your first job and how long did you keep it?
Delivering newspapers when I was 11 years old , for about 2 or 3 years. My first full time job was working in a bank for 4 years.
The Beatles Rockin Dolls
How and why did you transition your career into Music retail?
My brother Gary and I were both avid music lovers since we were very young. In 1979 we heard about a record swap meet that was held monthly in the parking lot of Capitol Records in Hollywood. So one day we went to check it out. We were amazed to find out that records were not just for listening, they were also very collectible. People were paying as much as $500 for a record! (today that $500 record is worth about $20,000). So after visiting the Capitol Swap Meet we started going to yard sales and swap meets looking for old records. We found plenty, and the following month we began selling at the Capitol Swap Meet.
When did you discover your passion for the trade?
Immediately. We made $400 the first time we set up at the Capitol Swap Meet, and we had lots of fun doing it!
Tell us about the process of launching Rockaway Records.
At first it was just a hobby, selling at the Capitol Swap Meet each month. Sales kept getting better each month, we had extra cash to buy more inventory, and we found tons. So we started advertising in an international record collector magazine called Goldmine. When our first ad came out, the phone rang constantly with orders from around the world. (there was no email or even fax machines yet). Business kept growing rapidly, so Gary quit his job . I kept working a full time job in addition to working the record business. But a year later I was growing tired of working 16 hours a day, so I quit my job and Rockaway was now a full time business.
At that time we were only selling at the Swap Meets and by mail order. In 1982 we bought a small retail record store (Rainbow Records) located just down the street from our present location. We quickly outgrew that location, moved to a larger store (where the new Whole Foods/ 365 will be), outgrew that after a few years, moved to a larger building (which we bought) which is now Gingergrass restaurant. We lasted about 4 years there and then purchased our present building .
What’s the mission behind Rockaway Records?
To make a decent living doing what we love, and keeping the retail store going so future music lovers have an alternative to online shopping.
Rockaway Records | Silver Lake
If we had the chance to peek at your schedule, what would an average day look like? I usually get in between 6 -7 AM , when there is nobody else here. I first catch up on emails, phone calls, analyze sales reports etc. Then I do the fun stuff , researching and pricing rare collectible memorabilia, posters, autographs etc (Gary does most of the vinyl) I usually go home around 5 or 6 PM. That is when I am in town. I also travel frequently, selling at record conventions around the world or buying valuable collections.
How do you see Rockaway Records evolving…What’s next?
It depends partly on how the market changes. I’m guessing CD and DVD sales will keep declining. The vinyl market is growing nicely, but who knows how long that will continue. We will keep selling these items as long as the demand is there. We sell lots of high end collectibles now, but we want to focus more on that part of our business. I’m fairly sure that the demand for rare music memorabilia and vinyl will keep growing.
What has been the most valuable thing you’ve learned about business since opening Rockaway Records doors?
You have to be ready to change in an instant. Market conditions can change rapidly, like they have in the last 10 years.
Rockaway Records | Silver Lake
How have you overcome obstacles and stayed driven?
I don’t believe in failure, there is a solution to every problem. I won’t give up till I’ve overcome an obstacle, and we’ve had many. I guess I stay driven because after 37 years in business, I still love what I do. Can’t think of another job I would rather have.
Many people struggle to turn their passions into careers. What advice would you give them? Be ready to work really hard, nothing comes easy.
And the Rockaway Records story continues….
Rockaway Records
2395 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-3232
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