Do You Remember Lubbock’s Billy’s Band Aid Store?

Oh, you crazy kids with your Internets. Your wired world gives you a place to hang out AND access the coolest stuff in the world. But back in the day, some of us had to travel to a somewhat remote area of Avenue Q and head to Billy's Band Aid.

In the 80s, there was one music store that was above and beyond. Sure there were others, but they specialized in band instruments and twangy country/western guitars.

The store I'm talking about had instruments LIKE THE ONES YOU SEE ROCK STARS PLAY.

Not only that, but they had all of the giant, flat, black speakers that you see at concerts. Heck, the place was almost like being back stage at a rock concert in heaven.

You see, right now you could type in a series of random requirements like "12 string, blue, skull, guitar with tremelo" and you'd get something close to that in your search results box. Back in the day, you didn't even know something like that existed until you went to Billy's Band Aid.

The two guys who ran the store (on most days) were named Robert and Doug. They not only sold most of the cool guitars that ever made their way through the Hub City, but they were both local band stalwarts and riggers at concerts.

A typical Saturday in Lubbock might involve heading over to Billy's Band Aid to drool over the guitars while Robert or Doug played the latest album from Van Halen over a massive sound system.

I myself picked up an explorer knockoff guitar. It was pearl white with blood splatter all over the front. I remember the guys joked it was a "wall guitar" because it looked good on the wall, but nobody had the balls to get behind it and rock.

Well, my experience with that guitar was short lived as I traded it in for an off-brand, but incredibly well made pearl white bass from a company called "Elektra." Despite the fact that I have a Classic Gibson Ripper and a really sleek Guild bass, the Elektra is the one I pick up when I'm in the mood.

The old Billy's Band Aid is now a furniture store or something called Your Comfort Zone. Anyone else have any Billy's Band Aid stories out there?