UPDATE — On Sept. 18, The TRiiBE initially reported that George’s Music Room is being restored after owner George Daniels reconfirmed the news in a phone interview that afternoon. He first announced the news on stage at the Englewood Music Festival on Sept. 14.
However, Daniels says he spoke too soon.
His team sent over a statement last night, clarifying that the project is only in the conceptual phase and that no agreements have been made with the property owner yet.
Here is Daniels’ full statement:
Just recently, I mentioned the potential return of George’s Music Room on the Westside at the Englewood Music Festival. I want to clarify that we are currently in the conceptual phase of discussions. No formal agreements have been reached with the property owners at this time.
For nearly 30 years, I have called the Lawndale community home and the anchor for building one of the most successful record stores in the country. It’s crucial to respect the process and engage with our elected officials and community stakeholders to determine the best use of the former George’s Music Room space. I am committed to collaborating with all parties involved to explore the possibilities and ensure the community’s interests are prioritized before any final decisions are made.
I look forward to the opportunity to work together in this process.
Sincerely,
George Daniels
ORIGINAL STORY:
George Daniels, famed owner of the iconic West Side record store George’s Music Room, recently announced that the West Side store will be reopening soon as a museum and event center.
Daniels first shared the news on stage at the Englewood Music Festival on Sept. 14. The location on Roosevelt Road has sat vacant since its closing in 2010.
In an interview with The TRiiBE on Sept. 18, Daniels explained that the building is currently being renovated. Additionally, instead of reopening as a record store, George’s Music Room will reopen as a museum and event center.
“We haven’t had our solid meetings yet, but they’re in the process of restoring the building,” he told The TRiiBE.
George’s Music Room originally opened in 1969 at 3915 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The store, along with Daniels, would go on to gain legendary status, becoming a mandatory stop for artists doing press tours and promotional visits in Chicago.
Some artists also performed at the location, including Lil Bow Wow, who shot his “Thank You” music video at George’s Music Room in the early 2000s.
In recent years, the store has had many locations, expanding to Midway International Airport’s B terminal and a short lived stint at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Today, all of the locations have closed. George’s Music Room is a staple of Black Chicago, and the re-emergence of this landmark would definitely light a spark in the local music scene.
While Daniels said that an organization was helping to move the project forward, he was unable to share the name of the organization. He also wasn’t able to give a date as to when he would open the doors.
