While in Chicago 2 weeks ago, I visited a place that has so far survived the shakeout of record stores from the commercial landscape, Rolling Stone Records. It was one of the only places on the Northwest side of Chicago that for many years you’d be sure to find that single or album that you just had to have. They used to have everything in stock whenever you went there. An old album by Elvis? Sure! Guns N’ Roses’ latest? Absolutely!

Sadly, things have changed. I went this time only to find they seem to only carry are a few of the latest CD’s along with some greatest hits albums from the older bands. If you wanted older albums from the Smashing Pumpkins or Green Day, you would be out of luck at Rolling Stone now. And if you want a single? Ha! No friggin’ way! Oh how I longed for the day when they had the single cassette tapes lining the wall near the cashier. Now it’s replaced with DVD movies.

This will probably be my last visit to Rolling Stone as it seems to be in a downfall. The place was a ghost town when I visited. I think the only other customer that came in while I was there was buying porn. I walked out with a Greed Day album that featured a live performance and a Garbage compilation. Truly it was all they had that I was interested in. I guess Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon are the only places you can surely get almost any album you want now. It’s a sad era indeed.