Village Music: Last Of The Great Record Stores

Village Music has been a cultural institution in Mill Valley, California for over five decades, but on September 30th, 2007 it closed its well-worn Dutch door for good. Often referred to as “the greatest record store in the world”, Village has been a repository for local musicians and record collectors as well as some of the biggest names in pop, rock, jazz, rhythm & blues. Director George Lucas researched the soundtrack for "American Graffiti" at the store and B.B. King, Ry Cooder, Cab Calloway, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Costello are among the many stars that have hung out and shopped there over the years. One could always discover something new in this enclave of vintage vinyl and vast memorabilia – enough to rival any respectable American cultural museum.

What made Village Music so unique was its proprietor, John Goddard, a one-of-a-kind music historian and collector who bought the shop in 1968, after working there as a teenager. For countless musicians, John has been a tremendous resource, mentor and friend as well as a nexus for the entire musical community – reviving the careers of forgotten artists and staging some of the most unforgettable concert parties at the legendary Sweetwater saloon. But like so many other independents, Village and John fell victim to the economic shifts of the town and the music industry, unable to compete in the iPod era, the rise of the CD and changes in taste among young music buyers.




Village Music: Last of The Great Record Stores is a compelling music documentary that celebrates the life of an American musical institution and the tremendous impact it had on the famous (and not-so-famous) patrons who were part of itʼs unique history. The film includes candid interviews, rare archival performances, exclusive in-store appearances and all-star tribute concerts. With over thirty artists featured, the film interweaves Village Musicʼs vibrant past and rich musical community with the final six months of its existence – marking the true end of an era. In doing so, it also tells the larger story of the many changes the music business has undergone and the direction itʼs heading - a world where listeners download invisible music and the album is considered a dying art. Even though Village Music is now closed and the last of Goddardʼs rare vinyl and memorabilia is to be sold off, the film has preserved this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind chapter in music history for generations to come.

If you'd care to make a donation to help filmmaker Gillian Grisman complete the project, follow this link to the Kickstarter page. With 138 backers having pledged a total of $10,987 to date, there's still a long way to go to reach Grisman's target of $50,000 before the January 1 deadline. This would be a good time for some deep pocketed celebrity musicians and filmmakers who've benefited from Village Music over the decades to jump in.