Robert Plotnik (aka Bleecker Bob) has died in New York. He was 76 years old.
Bleecker Bob’s was open for 46 years on the corner of West 3rd Street and MacDougal. It shut in 2013 and was replaced with Forever Yogurt, a Yogurt chainstore from Chicago.
Plotnik ran Bleecker Bob’s Golden Oldies as it became known until he suffered a stroke and could no longer work. Plotnik opened the store in 1967 with his partner Al Trommers. It was original called Village Oldies. Trommers nicknamed Robert Bleecker Bob soon after.
The original store was in MacDougal but moved to the 118 West Third Street location in 1981.
The store where Patti Smith met Lenny Kaye, Joey Ramone was a customer, Robert Plant, David Bowie, Frank Zappa and David Byrne would drop by. It was also the subject of a 1993 Seinfeld episode. Actor Tobin Bell played the record-store owner.
Plotnik became a good friend of visiting celebrities and was known for being able to predict changes in music trends.
His store was a blueprint for so many of the stores you love today. RIP, Bob. https://t.co/MaSMvEbywQ
— Record Store Day (@recordstoreday) November 30, 2018
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