- - the fat lady has sung - -

I don't think I could be any sadder. Tower Records is officially closing. I know in the grand scheme of life it's nothing earth shattering. After all, it's only a record store. Or is it? Tower Records has introduced me to some great artists over the years. I guess you could say I've had a bit of a love affair with that place...the concrete floors, the underage punk kids judging me as I buy some lame cd, and the vast sea of all things music. It's not just a place to drop a fast twenty, but a place to discover artists old and new. But with the great internet taking over the world, the record stores of the past are becoming obsolete and I will be resigned to use nothing but the dreaded I-tunes to find all of my music. I will fight it though. It just won't be the same. That feeling you get of purchasing a much anticipated album...tearing the wrapping off...and going straight to your car to put that new cd right in the player. Nope. Those days are almost gone....and now I'm blue. I'll miss you sweet friend. This has been one incredible love affair that I will never forget.

The founder of Tower Records sent an email to his employees. The email said simply... "The fat lady has sung. ... She was off-key. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You."