Music Connection
I had known about the Music Connection but I had never been there before. My friend Frankie K. suggested that I take a ride over with him and meet the owner of the store. The owner is John Benedict. He's the one wearing the RHODE ISLAND shirt. I wasn't prepared to do an interview with John so with the help of Frank, I impromptu-ed. John has been the owner of Music Connection for 3 years. The store had been previously owned by a guy named Richard, 'Richard the Teacher', as he had been known by. Back then, the store was called Manchester Manchester because it was located in Manchester, New Hampshire on Manchester Street. Richard had been the owner of the store for 30 years since 1987 before John bought the store and took over ownership. I was told that, one day, Gene Simmons from the band KISS walked into the store while Richard was the owner. Richard didn't know who Gene Simmons was but was asked where the KISS albums were. While shuffling through the albums, Gene and Richard had about a 20 minute conversation about the band and music. Later on when Frankie came into the store to talk with Richard, Richard told Frank about this customer and what he looked like. Frank knew right away who Richard was talking about, brought over a KISS album, pointed to and asked, "Is this the guy you talked to?" Richard said, "Yes."
Frankie K. inside Music Connection
Gene Simmons
KISS
In the top photo of John there is a photo of Brian Wilson. Brian is one of John's favorite musicians. Next to that photo, on the bottom right hand side underneath the white Capitol Record, is a photo of John Benedict on the right hand side with Brian Wilson, sitting on the left hand side, from The Beach Boys. John's favorite band is The Beatles because the members of the band were friends first before they formed the band. John had been coming to this store since he was a young man. Music was his passion and he helped out the first owner in any way he could to gain experience.
As you walk into the store, to the left hand side, you will see all kinds of used record/radio and speaker equipment to choose from. There are many records and CDs to browse through. New items come in every day and/or week so the merchandise is constantly changing. A customer comes in, relaxes and browses at their own leisure. John never pressures his customers. He is always friendly and ready to help or answer any questions they may have about any kind of music. He doesn't play a radio as background music but selects, at random from his own selection, albums to set the mood within the store.
There are all kinds of posters and retro memorabilia located around and within the store for your visual and buying pleasure. If he doesn't have what you want, John has many resources and will do his best to obtain the item(s) requested.
While browsing among his collection, I came across this gem. You will see all parts of history as you come into the store and each item you see creates a memory. It makes you want to come back for more. There were several customers coming in and out of the store and you could tell they anticipated the best that John has to offer. Music Connection is located on 1711 South Willow Street in Manchester, New Hampshire - USA. To find out more about this store go to:
Denise L. @DL7855 2018