Norman’s Rare Guitars

2024   Columbia Pictures

Rated:  Unrated

Length:  1 hr  38min

Documentary

Directed by: Devin J. Dilmore

Starring: Norman Harris and too many Musicians, Guitar Players and Fans to list.

“At his world-famous LA guitar shop, founder Norman Harris reflects on his legacy as legendary musicians sing his praises in this heartfelt documentary.”

Kiefer Sutherland Executive produced the Documentary and worked alongside Columbia Pictures to produce the full length film. Norman’s Rare Guitars was started by Norman Harris, a musician who played and toured in bands in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Norm was playing in a band with Bobby Caldwell (of Derek and The Dominoes fame) called Katmandu. Norm saw and purchased a  Vintage Fender Jazz Bass at a really good price. His musician friends soon took an interest in the bass and offered him way more money than he had paid for it. Always looking to supplement his income as a touring musician, he decided to find some more vintage guitar deals that he could make money on. That very quickly escalated into a growing side business that eventually took over every empty space in his house.

Within a couple of years it had become a full time business, and in 1975 he opened his first rare guitar shop in Reseda, California. Eventually outgrowing the Reseda location, he moved to the current location in Tarzana. The documentary takes a look at the history and the current state of Norm’s health and his business. After a recent battle with health issues, Norm has started to wonder about the legacy of the shop and who will run the business when the day comes he is forced to retire. Joe Bonamassa is Norm’s nephew and has had a very large presence in the store over the years. The family speculates and wonders if he might have a hand in it’s legacy after Norms inevitable retirement.

I am a guitar player and a musician, as well as a writer and the Streaming Movie Guy. Just thought you should know that this review is anything but unbiased. There are tons of musicians, guitar playing celebrities and cameos in this film, a who’s who of musicians, and guitar players. The sheer number of vintage guitars that the shop and Norm currently possess is staggering. Just watching the day to day visitors in the shop in itself is fascinating. I absolutely love this documentary, if you have any interest in music, guitars, or vintage guitars it is a must watch. There is a website for the documentary, I’ll post the link below. There is also a Youtube channel that has become very popular with new videos from the store featuring the guests that stop by.

Highly recommended…yes, yes and yes!

Norman’s Rare Guitars Documentary Website

Norman’s Rare Guitars YouTube Channel

Norman’s Rare Guitars Store Website

Currently streaming on Netflix