2500 DelMonte Street: The Oral History of Tower Records

Ep. 65 Geoff Mayfield (Billboard Magazine)

September 12, 2023 Bob Zimmerman Episode 65
Ep. 65 Geoff Mayfield (Billboard Magazine)
2500 DelMonte Street: The Oral History of Tower Records
More Info
2500 DelMonte Street: The Oral History of Tower Records
Ep. 65 Geoff Mayfield (Billboard Magazine)
Sep 12, 2023 Episode 65
Bob Zimmerman

Geoff Mayfield has had a long and illustrious career in the music business. Starting as an Editor for a Columbus, OH music magazine called “Focus”, it wasn’t long before Geoff found himself behind the microphone at WBBY jazz radio. 


Geoff’s background in both music journalism and radio stood out to an executive at Camelot Music, the mall-based music retailer based out of Canton, OH, and soon he found himself working at Camelot’s corporate offices. It was at Camelot that Geoff first became aware of Tower Records as executives talked about Tower Records going into Manhattan. Also, reading a profile of Russ Solomon in Rolling Stone magazine sparked Geoff’s interest in the West Coast-based company. 


A speech about Tipper Gore’s PMRC record labeling, written for Camelot’s CEO led to both an “Atta Boy” from Russ Solomon and indirectly led to Geoff’s being hired by Billboard Magazine as their Music & Video Retail Editor. During Geoff’s time with Billboard, both as Retail Editor and then as Director of Charts, he was able to build relationships with many at Tower. Even after Tower’s demise, Geoff kept in close contact with many and played a significant role in both their life and in some cases, the celebration of lives well lived. 


Geoff still stays active as he’s been teaching at the Los Angeles College of Music for the last 7 years as well as still contributing to both Variety and Billboard. 


Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about how music used to be purchased and beyond. 

Show Notes

Geoff Mayfield has had a long and illustrious career in the music business. Starting as an Editor for a Columbus, OH music magazine called “Focus”, it wasn’t long before Geoff found himself behind the microphone at WBBY jazz radio. 


Geoff’s background in both music journalism and radio stood out to an executive at Camelot Music, the mall-based music retailer based out of Canton, OH, and soon he found himself working at Camelot’s corporate offices. It was at Camelot that Geoff first became aware of Tower Records as executives talked about Tower Records going into Manhattan. Also, reading a profile of Russ Solomon in Rolling Stone magazine sparked Geoff’s interest in the West Coast-based company. 


A speech about Tipper Gore’s PMRC record labeling, written for Camelot’s CEO led to both an “Atta Boy” from Russ Solomon and indirectly led to Geoff’s being hired by Billboard Magazine as their Music & Video Retail Editor. During Geoff’s time with Billboard, both as Retail Editor and then as Director of Charts, he was able to build relationships with many at Tower. Even after Tower’s demise, Geoff kept in close contact with many and played a significant role in both their life and in some cases, the celebration of lives well lived. 


Geoff still stays active as he’s been teaching at the Los Angeles College of Music for the last 7 years as well as still contributing to both Variety and Billboard. 


Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about how music used to be purchased and beyond.