The Rise of a Guitar Legend: Norman Harris
In 1973, a pivotal moment in Norman Harris’s career as a guitar dealer occurred when he received an unexpected phone call from an acquaintance. “He told me he was with someone who was looking for a Les Paul, but he kept the identity of the person a secret,” Harris recalls. He headed over to meet them, only to find his friend alone initially. Frustrated, Harris confronted him about the urgency, but was quickly taken aback when George Harrison and Mal Evans, the Beatles’ former road manager, walked in. They had been next door enjoying some pizza.
Established in 1975, Harris’s shop, Norman’s Rare Guitars, has become a legendary spot, nestled in a strip mall in the Tarzana area of Los Angeles. Despite its modest location beside a McDonald’s and a nail salon, the store attracts a high-profile clientele, including music giants like Slash, Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl, and celebrities such as Kiefer Sutherland and Melissa Etheridge. Even families like Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow visited when their son Moses needed a guitar for his birthday. Harris’s journey and his iconic shop are now being showcased in a documentary bearing the same name as the store.
Joe Bonamassa, a renowned blues guitarist and a fervent collector of Fender and Gibson guitars, considers Harris as magnetic as the instruments he sells. He describes Harris as an “electromagnet,” drawing people from all corners of the globe. Despite this, Harris modestly overlooks his own celebrity status.
From Band Member to Guitar Guru
Harris’s venture into guitar dealing began accidentally 50 years ago when he was still a keyboard player for a Miami band called Katmandu. The band, managed by Little Richard and his brother Peyton Penniman, had supported iconic acts like Jimi Hendrix. When his bandmates needed a bass player, Harris found a used Fender Jazz bass which grabbed everyone’s attention, including that of his friend Jaco Pastorius, a legendary bass player. Realizing the potential profit in trading instruments, Harris’s new career path quickly took shape, especially after moving to the instrument-rich environment of California. The local scene fueled his business, ultimately overtaking his music career.
Los Angeles proved to be a treasure trove for Harris, who populated his apartment with dozens of used guitars bought from local ads and pawn shops. Despite skepticism from other music stores about the value of used instruments, Harris had a keen eye for American-made guitars from the mid-1950s to early ’60s, which he rightly predicted would become highly sought after.
A Memorable Transaction with George Harrison
The value of Harris’s intuition was highlighted in 1973 when George Harrison sought his help to replace a stolen guitar. Harrison was looking to recover “Lucy,” a unique Gibson Les Paul previously owned by notable musicians before being stolen. Harrison ended up purchasing two vintage Les Pauls from Harris, a testament to the quality and rarity of Harris’s collection. Those guitars would now fetch over £250,000 each.
Harris recalls spending the day with Harrison and visiting the home of Ravi Shankar. Although he was offered Harrison’s Gretsch Country Gentleman, a piece from his Beatles days, Harris declined, a decision he now regrets. Despite not making that particular deal, Harris fondly remembers the personal time spent with Harrison, which included sharing a joint, a common social activity in their circle at the time.
Connections in the Music and Film Industry
Harris’s reputation also made him a go-to for the film industry, providing instruments for movies like “Bound for Glory” and “This Is Spinal Tap.” One of his most famous transactions involved lending a Gibson guitar for “Back to the Future,” which was technically anachronistic for the movie’s setting. Decades later, he humorously declined an offer to buy it back for $1 million.
His connections extended to personal friendships with musicians like Robbie Robertson of The Band, who filmed his last appearance for the documentary shortly before his death in 2023. Robertson, a regular customer, once bought a guitar from Harris and then coated it in bronze.
Preserving a Legacy
Today, Harris faces health challenges and the question of what will happen to his vast collection and his business when he is no longer around. Despite suggestions that he take over the store, Joe Bonamassa feels that without Harris, the store would lose its soul.
Harris’s story from a band member to a revered figure in the guitar world is documented in “Norman’s Rare Guitars,” a film that not only explores his business but also delves into the personal trials and triumphs of a man who turned his passion for guitars into a legacy.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
