Video Games Help Virgin Megastore "Defy Market Gravity," Turn Profit

Virgin Megastores had what they describe as "one of the most successful years" the chain has ever had in 2007 by turning away from albums and focusing on other product. The store "defied market gravity" by transforming into a "lifestyle entertainment shopping destination," as sales of video games, DVDs, clothing and books all enjoyed increased sales over the preceding years while music continued to slump. Even the two Virgin Megastores in New York City — which are reportedly on the verge of shuttering in 2009 — posted combined increased sales of ten percent. "For the first time in five years our store traffic is up over plan," said Virgin Entertainment North America CEO Simon Wright. So it appears brick-and-mortar music stores may live on — just with a lot less music.

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

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