About the Owner

Sam Milgrom

Beginnings

A deeply embedded love of music led Steven A. (Sam) Milgrom to build a nationally acclaimed music store, turn a historic movie house into Detroit’s premiere live music showcase nightclub, and launch an innovative gallery concept. Born and raised in the Motor City, this urban rocker has spent his entire life exploring every facet of the music industry. As musician, record store owner, publisher, club owner, and gallery owner, he has spent his career bringing the best into the spotlight.

First Venture

Starting from a 200 sq. ft. storefront just outside Detroit in 1978, he grew Sam’s Jams from one of the first Punk stores into a 10,000 sq. ft. superstore – one of the country’s largest volume independent music stores with over 500,000 records and separate Jazz Room. Sam’s was the first to host a weekly Live Concert Series, with members of Motown’s Funk Brothers as the house band. The autographed sessions included the likes of Willie Dixon, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tony Bennett, Metallica, The Jam and Duran Duran. In 1982, Sam was named one of ‘Detroit’s 100 Powers and Personalities’.

In 1991, Sam rescued a 1920′s movie house and gave birth to the live music venue ‘The Magic Bag’, which has featured nationally touring rock, blues, and jazz legends (Sheila E., WAR, Leo Kottke, Graham Parker, Lee Rocker, Max Roach) while showcasing Detroit’s burgeoning talent. He produced over 300 concerts while helping to launch the careers of then rising star Kid Rock, Singer-Songwriters Ben Harper & Jeff Buckley, Blues singer Keb Mo, R&B Singer/Bassist Me’Shell Ndege Ocello, and Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

Mr Musichead Gallery

In 1998, Sam opened LA’s first gallery devoted exclusively to Art by and about the world’s greatest musicians. Mr Musichead started as a 200 sq. ft. storefront in the heart of the Melrose Shopping District. In 2004, the gallery relocated to a larger space on Sunset Blvd.

It features a variety of music related fine art including limited edition photography, original paintings, drawings, mosaic tile portraits, mixed media, fine art limited edition prints, album cover art, vintage and current concert posters. The carefully chosen roster of artists includes world renowned and emerging talents. Mr Milgrom has curated and hosted more than a dozen World & Los Angeles Premiere Exhibitions by artists including Jerry Garcia, Alan Aldridge, EMEK, Brandon Boyd, Neil Zlozower, John Van Hamersveld, Storm Thorgerson, and Jay Blakesberg.

Morrison Hotel Gallery

In 2006, Sam partnered with Morrsion Hotel Gallery to open a Los Angeles branch on the burgeoning ‘Rockin Row’ section of Sunset Blvd. He curated exhibits with partner and legendary photographer Henry Diltz, as well as Bob Gruen, Ethan Russell, Patti Boyd, Barrie Wentzell, Bill Wyman, Danny Clinch, and a posthumous exhibit of Jazz photographs of Bluenote Records co-founder Francis Wolff.

The Future

Mr Milgrom is committed to guiding Mr Musichead Gallery as it continues to add relevant and talented new artists to its roster, and newly discovered rare photographic images to its archive, while rotating its display of fine artworks. In the future are many exclusive offerings, exciting events, and exhibitions.