Sluggo Owner Jack Dolan
"Write that I'm not ending it on a sad note," says Dolan. "Write that I want to thank everybody for all the memories, and that it's time to move on."
After 32 years in business, Sluggo Music is closing its doors. By the end of the month every gold cymbal, every wood-grained guitar and every last guitar pick will be sold off. The iconic Sluggo sign on the front of the building will disappear. Upstart musicians will lose their Sixth Avenue spot for Ernie Ball guitar strings and expert musical knowledge.
Now, if I'm worth my salt as a writer this is where I would end with, "and once the doors shut, a little piece of Tacoma will be gone forever."
But dammit, I can't write this. Because Jack Dolan, the friendly owner of Sluggo Music, won't let me.
"Write that I'm not ending it on a sad note," says Dolan. "Write that I want to thank everybody for all the memories, and that it's time to move on."
So, everybody, Dolan would like to thank you for the memories. Memories he recounts with ease. Standing behind the small checkout counter and smiling as broadly as if it were any other March in the shop's long history, Dolan lists all the famous musicians that have visited the shop. Various members of Pearl Jam. Guys from the Wailers. Joe Bonamassa.
"Marky Ramone used the practice space in back for a couple days," says Dolan. "That was pretty cool."
Dolan says it's also been cool to see a bunch of old-timers stop in. Since he put up the ‘Store Closing' sign in the window, Dolan says customers that haven't visited in 20 years have been coming in to say goodbye. Since Sluggo has always had a welcoming, local vibe, it has always been a perfect spot for young musicians to congregate. Whether looking to purchase that first guitar or penniless and just wanting to hangout, Sluggo has long stood as a haven. So many have come and gone that Dolan has a hard time remembering all the faces.
"Guys will come in and ask if I remember them from like twenty years ago," Dolan says laughing. "When I say no, they say, ‘just think blond hair down to my shoulders and about thirty pounds lighter.'"
Rich Bundy is one of the Sluggo faithful who have spent hundreds of hours plucking at guitars on the walls. Like many, once he heard the store was closing he popped in to pay his respects.
"I bought my first electric guitar here in 1979," Bundy reminisces. "I came in with my mom."
A guitarist for Tacoma band the Plastards, Bundy says he still buys all his strings and picks from Dolan. Now he's not sure where he's going to go. He hopes it will be a local shop, although he says they're increasingly hard to find.
"There's not too many places like this left around town," says Bundy.
As Dolan smiles to customers and goes about his day, I try to break through his carefree exterior and delve into those sentimental guts. But Dolan doesn't budge. He says he sold the building to the same people who own O'Malley's Irish Pub. He thinks the new owners are going to turn the location into a bar. He's says the O'Malley's people seem dedicated to the community, and after a couple of rough years during the recession, he's OK with leaving the music business.
"Things change," Dolan offers. "It's the circle of life."
Comments for "Tacoma's Sluggo Music bids farewell " (14)
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CW said on Mar. 17, 2011 at 3:30pm
sad..My Uncles band Queensryche started there
doug said on Mar. 17, 2011 at 4:24pm
A 29-year hunk of my life will be dissolved. Jack and Bootsy live on. Memories live on. My 1982 Tama Imperialstar kit--if it survived this winter in the garage--lives on. Life is finite. As is every string, stick, G&L Skyhawk, little odd and end do-dad and dohicky. I digress. Life is finite, so a chunck like this of pure goodness, when it ends, is resonant. Cheers to you, Jack, and all the years of music you have enabled with your services, your friendship--under your 253 (and 206) watch. And bless the kitties.
whosbadnow said on Mar. 18, 2011 at 8:24am
I Raise a glass to seeing Even Groom come out of the practice room in the back , rip brotha
m
Matt E. said on Mar. 18, 2011 at 2:05pm
I am actually, legitimately tearing up over this. I have bought various drum hardware and bits over the years that are still with me, as well as picks, strings, a bass amp. Sluggo's, with that incessant blinking sign, was one of the first Tacoma icons I absorbed into my psyche. R.I.P, I and my friends are sorry to see you go, but thank YOU for your presence in our lives.
Wayne L. Brannon said on Mar. 18, 2011 at 3:48pm
This truly is a sad day for the Tacoma music scene. Evan Groom and me used to hang at Sluggo's a lot. I can't begin to tell how many Basses, Amps, Effects, Strings, and various toys I bought from Jack over the years. The greatest thing about Jack was, as a local musician himself, he knew most guys were living on a tight budget. Hell, let's face it, we all were "Starving Artists". You could go to Sluggo's, find quality equipment at a great price, and Jack would, more often as not, help you get financing or let you make payments. I don't know how or if he ever made a profit, but you can't find a local musician who has anything bad to say about Jack, and doesn't love the guy for everything he did for all of us. Thanks for everything Jack!
Clayton Florand said on Mar. 18, 2011 at 4:24pm
My heart is broken.... no more .. 2-'fers on strings.
Thanks for all the good times, Jack.
and .... I still ...miss you so...Evan
Kevin Kehl said on Mar. 18, 2011 at 7:06pm
oh no, finally...our band (Theatre) rehearsed there for about 5 years in the early 1980's, three of us would stay over almost every weekend (Mike worked there). John Rice was the drummer. Loved that place, it was part of my musical history and so many others, I know. Jack let me get bass gear now and pay later.. lol. Good luck Jack and thanks for everything.
Dave Vinson said on Mar. 25, 2011 at 1:42pm
We will all will miss Jack, back in the 80s I took drum instruction from now a life long friend John Rice (Theatre) that practiced in the back room, worked on Jacks 1970 VW Van (traded the labor for and got a sweet deal on a eight piece TAMA drum set with hardware that I have kept in pristine condition as of today) built brackets and installed the famous SLUGGO sign. Had a few beers with him also. What a guy….
Dave Vinson
Brad Nelson said on Mar. 30, 2011 at 10:58pm
I too have been going there since 1979. I am going to miss Jack and Sluggo Music.
Heidi said on Apr. 05, 2011 at 8:55pm
Date of closure?
Jim Christina said on Aug. 16, 2011 at 11:31am
Holy cow! I just found this. I have known Jack Dolan since he opened Sluggo Music a hundred years ago...when we were all playing bass guitar and busy in the Tacoma music scene, what there was at any rate...the Engine House No 9, wow, good times. Tacoma will truly miss this gentleman and his dynamite business.
Tom Grisley said on Jun. 03, 2012 at 8:30pm
I bought a used 200A Wurly from Sluggo in 1981. He let me make payments. I loved that place. Sorry I just found this. I was planning to see if Sluggo was still around when I went through Tacoma this summer. Jim, if you see this, how you doing? Tom
Dustin Hedger said on Jul. 21, 2012 at 11:51pm
I bought my first bass guitar from Jack in '87. He and Paul used to give me lessons for free and it changed my life and brought me life opportunities I would have never had otherwise. I was so saddened to drive by there today and here the news so late. Thank you so much, Jack for your unparalleled generosity. You touched so many lives through your business, it is incredible. There will never be another music store as great as Sluggo ever! Best wishes.
Wes McCollaum said on Sep. 22, 2012 at 11:40pm
Wow! I never thought Id see the day when sluggo music would cease to exist.Kinda like stone henge,been there for millenia it seems like.When I was down at P.P.U. and later Metal Shoppe we bought almost everything entirely from Jack at sluggo.We had a hefty bill quite a few times but Jack you were always cool and understanding.I bought a pair of Dw Turbo 5000 bass drum pedals from there on credit amongst many other drum items including case after case of sticks.I traded them for one of the firsy Axis double base drum pedals for a single bass drum that my son is now using over twenty years later.I live in Arizona now but it will be sad when I cruise 6th ave as I always do when I get up there and do not see the old sluggo music sign.Thanks for everything Jack especially the memories.................
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