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In 1971, Jay and Peggy Goldberg opened a music store on the 400 block of Court Street in Pekin, naming it Ian’s Music Parlor in honor of their newborn son.
Fifty years later, Ian and his brother, Arlan, have grown to join their parents in running a business that has grown into Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment. The firm has opened record stores throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Jay Goldberg saw early on that an effective way to attract customers was to sell concert tickets. He began producing concerts in cities where he had record stores.
“Over the years, there were changes in the record stores, going to videos, to closing,” said Goldberg. “My true passion became promoting concerts, festivals and special events.”
When Goldberg was a student at Pekin Community High School, he noticed that Pekin had a strong underground music scene, with no shortage of local bands. Perhaps he would have become a musician rather than an events manager if his effort to join one of those local bands had been successful.
“I really couldn’t play my guitar very well,” he recalled. “However, since I had one of the best amps (a Fender Super Reverb) in town, all the players would invite me to hang out with them. They would say, ‘Jay, bring your amp!’ Of course, they implied for me to leave my guitar at home. I understood.”
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The city of Pekin recently marked the Goldbergs’ 50th anniversary in business with an honorary street designation. The 400 block of Court Street, where Ian’s Music Parlor opened in 1971, has been temporarily renamed Jay and Peggy Goldberg Way. Pekin Mayor Mark Luft noted that Goldberg has brought tens of thousands of visitors to central Illinois with festival production and promotion. He has also been active in the community through his service on various charity boards, advisory committees and the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee.
“Music is a vital part of our lives,” said Luft. “Music performance and appreciation are important to our social, cultural, historical and educational development.”
Goldberg said that recognition from the city of Pekin was special because the city has been good to the Goldberg family. The honorary street designation to celebrate his 50th anniversary in business provided him with confirmation that he has succeeded in his effort to be an asset for the community he loves.
“Pekin has been a good home for my family,” he added. “I am especially thankful to the school districts, as both of my sons had great years in school which prepared them for the University of Illinois and beyond.”
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