After nearly 65 years, the lovely little piano shop at 8162 Beverly Blvd where John Williams walked in one day and played the “Prokofiev Third Sonata†for customers will close its doors forever. It is truly the end of a very glamorous, very musical era.
Keyboard Concepts has announced that the store with the iconic Steinway sign known for years as David L. Abell fine pianos will be closed. The building has been sold and the inventory of beautiful pianos will be liquidated.
There was a time when anyone who was anyone in the music industry acquired their piano through David L. Abell. The framed, autographed photos that still line the walls of the store represent a who’s who of the entertainment world of yesterday and today. Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones, Gene Kelly, George Shearing and Frank Sinatra were all customers as was Jackson Browne, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, the Eagles and the Moody Blues. Classical musicians Emanuel Ax, Andre Previn and John Williams all bought pianos from the store.
David L. Abell loved jazz and made his mark on the Los Angeles musical scene by supporting Southern California musicians and musical programs including the UCLA Jazz Studies Program. David and his wife, Barbara were the impetus behind rebuilding the music department at Washington Preparatory High School after a fire destroyed everything. The new department was named in their honor.
David sold the store to Dennis Hagerty and Jeff Falgien of Keyboard Concepts in 1999. Despite the fact that Keyboard Concepts already had four locations throughout Southern California, Hagerty and Falgien decided to retain the David L. Abell fine pianos name for the store on Beverly. According to Hagerty, “We felt the store had such an outstanding reputation and loyal customer base, we wanted to assure existing customers that they would receive the same fine service and access to exceptional pianos that they expected from David.â€
Hagerty is nostalgic about the store and its history. “We are very sorry that we have to close the doors, “says Hagerty. “But in this economic climate, it’s no longer feasible.â€
Keyboard Concepts is conducting a sale of the entire existing inventory at David L. Abell. The store is known for its fine selection of exceptional, high-end pianos including magnificent Yamaha grands, Bösendorfers and vintage Steinways all of which will be sold at dramatic savings.
Customers may schedule an appointment to the private liquidation sale being held on Thursday andFriday
