Store History

The original location of Apple Music was the three hundred block on SW Third Ave in Portland, Oregon. Kelly and Marilyn pooled their resources in the fall of 1975 and opened the 800 sq foot shop. Always a musical gear collector, Kelly had been playing music in various bands for thirteen years. Opening a music store seems a logical extension for someone with over 40 guitars and a seemingly endless desire for more. It was this passion for musical equipment that resulted in stocking more products and pioneering many brands. Initially it was guitars and amplifiers then synthesizers, effects, drums, pa systems, recording equipment and various stringed instruments were added. Eventually customers and vendors encouraged the move to our current larger location in the 200 block SW First Ave just two blocks from the original shop. A separate acoustic shop and drum shop were eventually added next door. It didn’t take long to fill up the 10,000 square foot store with some of the coolest gear anywhere.

Over the years we’ve provided equipment to lots of folks from beginners to many famous musicians. It’s been fun to sell customers their first piece of equipment and later have them come back as professional musicians. We’re now working with the second and third generation of musicians. Apple Music is fortunate to have a great experienced staff, many of which have been with the store for over twenty years. We’re still locally owned by the same folks.