Fun getting to know one of the guys who co-owns that super-cool music store on Haight you’ve been going to for over 20 years. Meet Joe Goldmark, People! Here are some highlights from our chat … Dig!
JG: Born in the Bronx, raised in Tuscon, Arizona, then moved with my family when I was 16 to San Francisco in 1967 — a real nice time to come here. I was at the Human Be-In. I was there when Jimi Hendrix played on the flatbed truck in the Panhandle and the first time he played at the Fillmore. I listened to KMPX and KSAN. I went to Lowell, and after school every Friday I would take the bus to the Haight and go to the Psychedelic Shop to get my poster cuz they were handing out the posters for the shows.
HSV: You landed smack-dab in the middle of it all! You play pedal steel, so … “What’s In YOUR Bag?” [based on an Amoeba show]. Who are your influences?
JG: I started playing cello as a kid. took guitar lessons like kids do, came to SF, started playing bass. I went to Cal for a couple of years as a music major, started playing pedal steel which I fell in love with after seeing Jerry play it with the New Riders. Dropped out of school to play and started immersing myself into the world of country music. In the ‘70s, I joined the Billy C. Farlow Band, lead singer of Commander Cody. In the ‘80s I got married and got my first-time real job, which was with Captain Video. In ’86 I opened Escape From New York Pizza with partners from Captain Video. Ran that for 10 years and got recruited for the Amoeba expansion. I’ve been working on Haight Street for 35 years! It’s amazing that we have this community here and there haven’t been more problems. Everybody pretty much gets along, and has over the years. I feel safe walking down Haight Street and always have basically. There’s a lot of people who have nothing to lose and yet they still are generally respectful and try to get along.
HSV: Heard there’s a vinyl resurgence?
JG: People rediscovered their record collections during covid. People want to get phonographs and records. One of the beautiful things about Amoeba is that you don’t need money to shop here, just bring in some used vinyl, CDs or videos. We’re a big trading post. We’re pretty proud of that.
HSV: What would you like to say to the Haight-Ashbury community?
JG: Amoeba loves being in the Haight. We came here because we felt it’s the heart of the City. We thank you for being your record store!
