Ep. 82 Ann Powers (Insurgent Clerk at Columbus & Bay, NPR Music, Los Angeles Times, Author "Traveling: On The Path of Joni Mitchell)

2500 DelMonte Street: The Oral History of Tower Records

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Long before she became the face and voice of NPR Music, Ann Powers was just a Catholic school girl and new wave music fan who in 1979 was guided on a musical journey by Chris, an influential Tower Mercer Street clerk. Chris regularly assisted and turned Ann on to some great groups and albums at Tower Seattle's landmark location.
On today’s episode Ann tells us about her roots in writing about music and culture, the amazing local Seattle scene of the late 70’s and early 80’s, Catholic folk masses featuring little known Elton John songs, the joy of being a Beatles fan in the early 1970’s, why straight up indie stores like the iconic Celophane Square initially scared Ann, perusing the Tower racks for British music magazines, getting a job at the Columbus and Bay Tower Records store in San Francisco while attending college in the mid 1980’s and how her writing career took off while in San Francisco.
In addition to working for NPR Music, Ann writes about music and culture for the Los Angeles Times. Previously Ann wrote for Seattle’s The Rocket, The New York Times, Blender Magazine and The Village Voice. Ann has authored five books. Her last one was “Good Booty: Love & Sex, Black & White, Body & Soul in American Music”. On June 11th her new book “Travelling: On The Path of Joni Mitchell” will be released.
Join us for a fun, informative conversation with Ann Powers.