Tower Records was a retail music store chain that was based in the United States. The company was known for its wide selection of music and its knowledgeable staff. Tower Records was founded in 1960 in Sacramento, California by Russ Solomon.

The first store was a small shop that primarily sold used jukebox records. However, it quickly expanded its inventory to include new releases and became a popular destination for music lovers. Tower Records grew rapidly throughout the 1970s and 1980s, opening stores across the United States.

It became particularly well-known for its flagship store on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California, which featured a wide variety of music and attracted celebrity clientele. The headquarters of Tower Records was located in Sacramento, California. It housed the management team and oversaw the operations of the company.

Tower Records offered a wide range of products and services to its customers. The main product offerings included vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, and music-related merchandise. The stores also featured listening stations where customers could preview albums before purchasing them.

In addition to the retail stores, Tower Records also operated an online store, allowing customers to purchase music and merchandise from the comfort of their own homes. On a global scale, Tower Records had a presence in several countries, including Japan, where it operated under a subsidiary named Tower Records Japan. The Japanese market was particularly successful for the company, with Tower Records Japan becoming one of the largest music retailers in the country.

In addition to its own stores, Tower Records also formed partnerships with other retailers to expand its reach and increase sales. In terms of market position, Tower Records was a major player in the music retail industry. It had a strong brand presence and was known for its extensive selection and knowledgeable staff.

However, with the rise of digital music and online streaming platforms in the late 2000s, Tower Records faced increasing competition. Ultimately, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and closed its remaining stores in the United States and other countries. One of the major events in Tower Records' history was its expansion into Japan in the 1980s.

The Japanese market proved to be highly lucrative for the company, and it experienced significant success in the country. However, the decline of physical music sales and the increasing popularity of digital platforms led to its downfall. Currently, Tower Records does not have a significant presence in the music retail industry.

The company's US stores have closed, and Tower Records Japan continues to operate independently. The brand remains well-known among music enthusiasts as a symbol of the traditional brick-and-mortar music retail industry