Rockin Bob’s Takes A Bow BY FLORENCE ALMEDA
MELISMA | SPRING 2020 | 15
PHOTOS BY FLORENCE ALMEDA
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fter 38 years of business, on February 29th Rockin’ Bob’s Guitars permanently closed. Sitting amongst piles of tools and used guitar parts, owner Bob Mahoney expressed that he felt ready: “It was time, it was time,” He said. “My wife’s been retired for a while now and it’s time for us to have some golden years together.” A Somerville staple, Rockin Bob’s Guitars was known primarily for buying and selling used guitars and music equipment. However, the storefront had undergone a few changes over the years. Originally known as Used Sound, the space on Holland Street was once a stereo shop selling TVs and audio gear. Mahoney began working at Used Sound soon after graduating with a degree in electronics from Sylvania Technical school. He credited chance, more than anything, for his eventual ownership of the shop: “[My supervisor at the time said], ‘Bob, why don’t you take over this store?’ And I said, ‘Uhh okay, I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never taken a store, or run a store or a business or anything. But okay, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll try it, see how it goes for a year.’” For eighteen years, he ran Used Sound, until deciding to change the direction of the space to reflect his true passion: music. Mahoney recalled, “I’ve been playing music since the Beatles came out, since 1965 when I got a guitar. So I’ve been playing music both at home and in bands, and out in the clubs and stuff. I did that for a long time. It’s just more of my passion. TVs are not a passion. They’re
