Music Millennium

Music Millennium is an independent record store located in Portland, Oregon. Its founding in 1969 supports claims that it's the oldest continually-operating record store in the Pacific Northwest. Music Millennium is considered an iconic Portland business and a "national leader in the music-selling industry."[1]

Music Millennium
IndustryRetail
Founded1969 (1969)
FounderDon McLeod
HeadquartersPortland, Oregon
Key people
Terry Currier (current owner)
Websitewww.musicmillennium.com

History

At one time, Music Millenium had three stores: one at the original eastside location, which opened on March 15, 1969,[2] a store in Northwest Portland, and a classical music-only store located next door to the main eastside location. The classical-music-only store, known as Classical Millennium, opened in 1977.[3]

Neon sign and marquee at the chain's former main store (1977–2007), in Northwest Portland

The northwest location, which closed in September 2007,[4] was known for being a pioneer in in-store performances, which started in 1989 as part of the business's 20th anniversary celebration. They proved so popular they were made a regular feature under the management of Fred Seegmuller, who had spent many years cultivating connections within the local music scene.[2]The Oregonian describes Music Millennium as an iconic Portland business and a "national leader in the music-selling industry."[2]

Among the many musicians and bands the store hosted were Randy Newman (in March 1989), as well as Richard Thompson, Brandi Carlile, Everclear (in 1997), The Shins, Elliott Smith (in September 1998), The Decemberists, Throwing Muses, and Weezer. However, a scheduled in-store performance by The Smashing Pumpkins in 2000 was moved to a music venue in downtown Portland following unusual requests from the band's management team that included a stipulation that the staff would have to remove several CD bins.[5]

In 2009, Music Millennium was given the ninth spot in Spin magazine's list of the 15 best independent record stores in the country.[6][7] Current owner Terry Currier also coined the term "Keep Portland Weird," which has become a rally slogan for the city and its culture. Currier is considered "The Father of Portland's Weird Movement."[8]

References
  1. Ames Carlin, Peter (December 25, 2010). "Terry Currier and Music Millennium: The growth, and near-death, of a Portland icon". Oregonian. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  2. Carlin, Peter Ames (December 24, 2010). "Terry Currier and Music Millennium: The growth, and near-death, of a Portland icon". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  3. Stabler, David (July 30, 2012). "Classical Millennium, Portland's classical CD mecca, shrinks inventory, cuts staff". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  4. Richmond, Paige (September 2, 2007). "'The death of a friend': Music Millennium NW's Last Night". Willamette Week. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  5. "Music Millennium: Terry Courier" (PDF). CIMS. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  6. Everdell, Abigail; Aaron, Charles (April 17, 2009). "America's Best Indie Record Stores". Spin. Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  7. Booth, Jenny (August 14, 2009). "Music Millennium Hosts Its 17th Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ (With Free Music and Food)". Willamette Week. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  8. "Father of Portland's Weird Movement Says..." KOIN. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
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