Sally White — who influenced, inspired, amazed and befriended generations of local musicians, music lovers and music wannabes — died this morning at Autumn Lake Healthcare in Norwalk.
For 57 years — first at Melody House on Main Street; then running the music department at Klein’s, a few doors away, and finally as the owner of Sally’s Place — she was one of Westport’s most beloved figures.
In July of 2013, I posted the story below. It drew 57 glowing comments. Her passing will elicit many more.
There is no word yet on services. Whenever and wherever Sally White is laid to rest, I’m sure there will be plenty of great music.
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Sally White has been selling music on Main Street since 1956.
Sometime this summer, her song will finally end.
The beloved owner of Sally’s Place — the record/CD store where Keith Richards and Mary Travers shopped (and schmoozed) with Sally, and any other music lovers who wandered up the steps at 190 Main Street — is closing down.
She’s not sure when (probably later this summer). And she has no idea what she’ll do with the hundreds of posters, autographed photos and musical tchotchkes that line the way (maybe sell them?).
Sally White, standing underneath a photo of one of her all-time favorites: Frank Sinatra.
She does know, though, that she’ll leave a business she’s loved from her 1st day at Melody House, a few doors away, 57 years ago.
She also knows why she’s closing. The internet dragged too many customers away. The stagnant economy dragged business down further.
Sally’s Place has a niche in Westport that will never be replaced. I walked in this afternoon at the same time as another customer. She wanted a vinyl copy of “Rubber Soul.” Sally promised it would be in by Saturday.
When Melody House closed in the late ’50s, Stanley Klein offered her a job in his department store’s record section. Raising 2 sons alone, she said she could work only 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She also told him how much she needed to be paid. He hired her on the spot.
She worked there for more than 20 years. Her gentle nature, loving presence and encyclopedic knowledge of music influenced generations of Westporters — myself included.
Sally’s Place is at 190 Main Street — on the right, just past Avery Place.
When Klein’s record department closed in 1985, she decided to open her own store. Her brother-in-law wrote a business plan. She showed it to the president of Westport Bank & Trust.
He gave it right back. “We don’t need it,” he said. He trusted her word.
She offered her house as collateral. He refused. He was happy to back Sally’s Place without it.
It’s been an “amazing” 27 years, Sally says. “The bank, the record companies, my landlord — everyone has been fantastic.”
Especially her customers. “They make me feel special,” says Sally. “But I’m just doing what I love.”
Another customer this afternoon asked Sally for a turntable needle. She handed him a phone number. “This is the Needle Doctor,” she said. “He has everything.”
Sally’s musical roots run deep. She’s seen Frank Sinatra on stage. Also Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.
Brubeck and Gerry Mulligan were close friends. So are many customers who never played a note. All are bound by a love of music — and the treasure that is Sally.
Sally doing what she loves: interacting with a customer. Another browses in back.
“I’ve been working since I was 14,” Sally says. “I’ve been a part of this town for a long time. This is my heart and soul. I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.”
She’s survived as long as she has on special orders. Bluegrass compilations, rap, the “Roar of the Greasepaint” soundtrack — all are hand-written, in old-school logbooks. People find her from around the country.
She does not charge for mailing. “It’s my way of saying thanks,” she says.
As if on cue, a customer requested “old Polish-American polka music” for a wedding. She mentioned a composer. “S-t-u-r-r,” Sally spelled. “Right!” the woman said.
There is plenty of new vinyl — and CDs, random stuff, and musical knowledge — at Sally’s Place.
She does not stock Lady Gaga. “You can get that at Walmart for 10 bucks,” she says.
You can get it online, too — along with virtually everything Sally sells. Which is why she has written this message (by hand):
After 27 years of business I have decided to retire. The economy and internet sales have made it impossible for me to continue.
I thank you for your support, and hope you wish me well in retirement. I’ll miss you.
“Quick and easy,” she says. “I don’t need the schmaltz.”
But we need to say “thank you” to Sally White. Please hit “Comments” to share your memories, or offer praise.
And then — whether you’re a longtime admirer, a former customer who faded away, or someone who always meant to stop by but never did — go see Sally.
She’ll be glad to see you.
And her broad, loving smile will make your day.
(Click here to read a previous post about Sally’s Westport Arts Center award.)
Back to the Basics: A Portrait of Sally White from Claire Bangser.
Sleep well Sally and thank you for a life well lived.
So sorry to hear of Sallys passing. She was a real gem with an encyclopediac knowledge of vinyl. She really knew her stuff. Especially jazz. And you couldn’t stump her.
Our condolences are with her family for their loss.
Condolences to Sally’s family. Sally was a guide to the world’s great music and was always willing to educate this educator. She was one of Westport’s wonder women.
Sally was such a compassionate woman. She shared her love of music with anyone who walked through the door and made friends and fans of young and old alike. She was a rare breed and will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Rest well, Sally. I will always remember your vibrance and golden aura during our time at Klein’s. I never recall you being anything but radiant and positive. I carry you in my heart.
She was an amazing Westport treasure. Sally knew I was a little different. We moved to Westport in 1958 from Detroit, I was a “Soul Man.” Temps, Tops, Aretha and Smokey Robinson. While the “British invasion ” was in full swing, I stuck to “Motown.” When I would go to K’s she would see me come and say….”I got something for you. ” It was always something new from Motown.
Rest in peace Sally. Your impeccable taste and extensive knowledge of jazz will serve you well when you reach the pearly gates of Jazz Heaven.
Sally was music’s gift to Westport – a unique and very special human being. Stopping in her shop was a regular Saturday event for me and I loved talking jazz with her and listening to her wax eloquent on the subject. Sally’s passing leaves us with a hole that can never be filled for there will never be anyone quite like her. Our condolences to Sally’s family.
She was always was happy Wehn you walk in the door I would we talk about main st she was relly sweet she will be missed on main st just like lee
Sally turned me on the Elvis Costello, the Stones, Exile on Main Street, Bob Marley and
Basically everyone else. In 1977, I was 15 and spent my free time at Klein’s in the record department. My uncle owned the liquor locker on Main Street, so I would visit him and go over to Klein’s…. Sally treated me with respect and taught me about great music…. thank you Sally! My entire generation from Westport knows you and was musically influenced by you.
With deep appreciation,
Marc Sholes
Oh wow … The Liquor Locker!
Wasn’t it Harvey? That’s your uncle?
My dad (rest his soul, passed away this August), used to love shoot’in-the-shit with Harvey, and sample some wines and whatnot, in the store. I think this was 1970’s-ish?
So many deep seeded memories seem to crop up when significant people leave our lives.
Sally was also such a significant and energetic influence in our Westport lives!
Yes Sharon, Harvey is my uncle and he had the store from 1970 to 2014….and I remember so many westporters coming in and shooting the shit….. it was I think one of westports great decades.
😁
Sally was a wonderful woman! i will always remember and be thankful for her kindness and knowledge of music as well as being so focused on making people feel welcome in every place she worked (and owned).
Her encyclopedic knowledge of music was only rivaled by her kindness and humanity–she related on an intimate level to everyone who entered her store, from the adolescents to the seniors. Her warmth, directness, and integrity made each visit with her special, an experience the internet will never provide. I am truly saddened by her passing, will dig out a few of the numerous CDs she recommended, and remember her fondly while listening to the music. My thoughts are with her family.
Ohhh, Sally, lovely person. Peace to you, and condolences to your family from ours.
My Dad is going to be so happy that you are now in heaven. He can finally buy his albums!!! I remember going to K’s with my Dad on Saturday morning to see what new Jazz album he could get. He would talk with Sally for, what seemed like hours. Dad worked in New York and would frequent the jazz clubs. He would come home, go to Sally’s and she would have just the music he was looking for. And if she didn’t, she would order it for him.
Sally, you have a lot of clients waiting for you. Rest in Peace. And THANK YOU. You were a treasure and will be missed.
What an amazing person! I remember she converted an old vinyl album to tape for us many years ago when we couldn’t find it anywhere else. Having a physical space in a community one could go to and discuss, and get excited about, music was special and I remember Sally being a big part of fostering that here in Westport. Rest in peace!
My last encounter with the wonderful Sally was at Sally’s Place; I was looking for the Bavarian women’s chorus; Tracy Sugarman was also hunting music, and Sally of course could find anything, or order it, but always stopped to visit and catch up. She was fond of my brother Michael from Downshifter days onward, she often sent him home with an armload of new LPs and they’d argue politics. She shaped so many of our tastes and exposure to music from Melody House to Klien’s to her own Place. Grateful she listened and shared her joy among so many of us!!
Heartbreaking. I all but lived in the record department at Klein’s in high school. Sally was a great guide to great music. R.I.P.
I am nauseous. A devastating loss. Thank God that I have Claire’s amazing documentary shirt so that I may hear Sal’s voice forever. RIP you amazing woman. You meant the world to me.
Truly an original-
So Grateful for Sally’s many years of friendship,love and support to me &
other musicians.
Her thoughts -on Life,Music,people, especially her beautiful laugh -all treasured by all who knew her.
My thoughts and condolences to her family.
Sally was just incredible. Years and years could go by and she’d always greet you by name and make you feel special. She was so genuine, and obviously found her calling in the record department at Klein’s. I love that I can still hear her voice in my head. RIP, Sally.
Another wonderful Westport icon departed. She always treated us then Record hunting Westport teens like adults. Off to the stars Sally!
Sally was incredible and so knowledgeable about every genre of music. She introduced me to the great jazz of Bill Evans. Exceptional lady with a larger than life personality.
What a beautiful story of a dedicated Westporter who just loved her town and the people that live there. It’s a shame the Internet has taken over. It takes away from the personal feeling of a small town. Best wishes to Sally!
It’s the end of an era…Sally guided so many of us young music lovers to great music. She was an institution on Main Street.
She always had a ready smile and answers to questions about the latest music. She was well loved by many and Westport will be a poorer place without her presence. R.I.P. Ms. Sally
Sally was a true treasure, a friend to so many. The store was like a music salon, you never knew who you might meet there. Main Street became less vibrant the day she closed Sally’s Place. She treasured her evenings at home with a good mystery novel, a glass of wine and of course, music and there was no better time spent than sharing these topics of conversation with her. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
I remember when she ran the album department at Klein’s when it was the big store in Main Street in the 1970’s. – she was so nice
Godspeed Sally.
Sally was an original. Her knowledge and love of music found their match in the many music lovers of Westport. And now her vinyl treasures are being rediscovered by the children of those she taught. Pretty impressive, Sally, pretty cool.
I didn’t move to Westport until 2002, so didn’t know of Sally until then. As a collector of vinyl and a lover of jazz, I quickly discovered Sally, and spent many hours reminiscing about the old jazz haunts in NYC: the Five Spot, Halfnote, etc. Sally always had great stories about the wonderful artists she had seen there. She could always find the recordings of some obscure artist I wanted to hear. Looking forward to continuing our reminiscing in the future. Westport was a richer place by her presence.
New to Westport, we wandered in to Sally’s Place. It took one conversation with her to know that we had moved to the right place. For every time I had to sing a couple of bars so she could tell me exactly what album I was looking for, I am grateful. Wonderful memories. Sally, if you happen to be reading these comments while you are moved by the music that now surrounds you, we thank you for sharing all that you were with all of us.
Came into Sally’s when I first moved here from Brooklyn. Looking for an Elmo Hope record I had recently lost via messenger from N.Y. she gazed at me and said” we will be friends “. Ideed we became friends, two jazz lovers indulging our love of music. She’ll be forever missed.
So sad. I will never forget the day I went in to her store and asked her if she had anything by Chet Baker, and she looked up at me and said “who”?? As I started trying to explain who he was, she looked up at me and started laughing hysterically. I realized what a dummy I was and started laughing with her. RIP sweet soul.
Thank you, Claire, for sharing this wonderful video! We have missed Sally since the closing and missed saying, ‘so long’, and it’s so good to have this memory.
Sally even knew who i was and the records i played jazz on, and that’s pretty remote. have a great time with all those musicians up there, Sally. please
say hello to Herbie Nichols for me. And Ros Rudd. he got there last week.
I used to go to Klein’s all the time when I was in high school and after. I always stopped by the record department to see Sally. I had a bizarre taste in music such as Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, but also listened to Stravinsky, Claude Bolling, Thelonius Monk and so much more. Sally would always say Jeff you must hear this album, you will love it. And love it I did. She knew exactly what I liked and would search for new things for me to listen to. One days I went in the store and she had professional photographs of Frank Zappa which she handed over to me. I was thrilled to see them and then handed them back, and she said they are yours. I asked how much and she would not take a single penny. That was the way Sally was.
When Klein’s was closing it saddened me but I then of course followed Sally to Sally’s Place. I continued to see Sally regularly until I moved to Florida. What an absolutely beautiful woman we have lost, but she is definitely heavens gain. What joy she will bring to those who have left us here.
Sally White, you will always be missed and remembered fondly. Prayers to her family. May you all be filled with pride on how much we loved Sally. I only wish I had made it back to CT to see her before she closed her store. RIP Sally White.
Frank Zappa was my favorite musician of the day. She always enticed me to explore the individual careers musicians that played with Frank to help expand my vocabulary. She was a guru.
The last time I saw Sally was at the Redding Ridge Market. She had just come out of the store. (she lived with her sister near the Ridge) I told her that WPKN programmers had been talking a lot about her and her shop and the fact that she was retiring. They had amazing stories that they recited on air about visits with Sally and how much they all loved Sally. I posted pictures and some info on our WPKN Facebook page asking our listeners to post their own comments about Sally and there were many indeed. I related this story to her and the next time I stopped in the Redding area I put photocopies of all of the Facebook comments so she could see how much she and her store were missed.
I was lost when Sally closed her store, just as I was lost when Klein’s and Sally’s record department closed. I used to make at least one weekend stop to shoot the breeze with her and the follower regulars that I’d come to know so well. So, Sally, thank you for everything and may you rest in peace, hopefully listening to Sinatra’s “Come Dance with Me.”
Just yesterday I was thinking about her…wondering how she was doing….I knew her for almost sixty years…she was the greatest! No one could replace her…rest in peace dear Sally…
Sally grew up in Norwalk, went to Norwalk High School. One of her classmates was Horace Silver, soon to become one of the great Bebop pianists. Back then he played tenor sax. Sally always like jazz but she had good knowledge of all kinds of music. Her favorite performers, always to be heard in her store, were Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Sally’s record store was her life, it didn’t matter if the store made money, she just wanted to be there and have people come there. She knew everybody, especially musicians. I believe she first sold records in Norwalk near the corner of Main and Wall but I didn’t know her until she ran the record department at Klein’s. Then at her own store I would provide LP records for her collectors’ bin. I left Westport 13 years ago but came back to town often, mainly to visit her and her store. When she left there was no more Westport for me.
I first met Sally White in the late 70’s. I was a shy kid misplaced as someone trying to distribute records for Rounder Records. I was so shy in fact, that I had to spend many minutes in my car outside of a record store trying to find the nerve to go in and pitch the latest bluegrass, blues and folk releases. What I found in Klein’s was something that won my heart immediately and forever. Sally’s first words to me were that she wanted her store to be the best around. She then told me to look through her store, and let me know what she needed to complete the collection.
No one is/was a bigger fan of Frank Sinatra than Sally (though my brother may come a close second). Shopping for Lee was always easy, I’d stop into Sally’s Place and ask Sally for something cool. While figuring out the gift was easy, it was never a short trip to Sally’s. Her store was the hub for musicians, writers, really anyone interested in music in serious ways. I always ran into old friends, and met so many new ones.
When I started teaching radio at Staples High School, I gave extra credit to any of my students that visited Sally’s Place. For me, it wasn’t about a few extra points towards a grade, but a realization that these great young minds would have a chance to see and learn about their local music community in a unique and loving way. I knew the experience they would get there would be much more powerful than anything I could offer them in the classroom.
As the inevitability of Sally’s Place closing (due to Sally have done it for so long, and the state of the music industry making it harder and harder for independent record stores to exist) I pushed my students all the more to not cheat themselves of the experience that was a trip to Sally’s. I knew they would never get an opportunity quite like it again. Thank you Sally!
Wow! Such sad news. Sally was a jewel and a true friend to musicians in Connecticut, particularly Jazz musicians. And her shop was a Mecca for musicians and fans of music alike. When she decided it was time to close her shop, we were all terribly sad. She was a lovely lady. Hope she passed surrounded by the music she loved so well.
The first time I bought a record from her, I was 12 years old and she was running the music department at Klein’s. Both my sister and I had many visits there over the years. When she opened her own shop, my whole family was thrilled. My dad would come home from her shop, a bag full of CD’s – grinning up a storm. His jazz collection grew exponentially though her recommendations. He’d be sad to hear of her passing, but he’s gone, too.
Sally was always a sweetheart – with a kind word and a smile. Westport was really lucky to have a treasure like her, she will be greatly missed.
Rabbi Greg and Chris Coogan dedicated their jazz program at 323 tonight to Sally! The first set was great! Mike
Sent from my iPad
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Years ago when I was hired off WPKN to work st WDJF and WMMM my colleagues Terry Smith, John LaBarca and I used to haunt the Klein’s record department, buying records for our library, arranging give-aways for on air promotions and talking new releases with Sally. I was a young turk who loved ALL music and could talk in depth with Sally about any genre because she loved All music. She was a special person and everyone who came to know her, even on a casual basis as I did as a twenty something, knew her as that funny, hip lady at the local Westport record store who left a lasting impression all these years later on a 60 something.
Sally was the face of vinyl music for me in my middle and high school years (1978-1984) and she always had a beaming smile!
Peace and love to her family.
Thank you Sally!!
Sally and her store were part of my heart, education, great memories and soul. Sally spoke the language of music and love to so many- including me. I will never forget her, her store and all the great things i learned from her there. Forever grateful- thank you Sally…you did beautiful things while here❤️
I used to love going into Klein’s to check the Billboard Top 40 chart, which Sally always posted right above the bins of 45s. It was the disco era. Oh well!
This woman had a profound musical influence on me and is largely responsible for opening my ears as a teenager. I could list dozens of times her advice or suggestions caused a paradigm shift in my thinking about music, but if I had to pick one, it would be when I was 15 years old and asked her where I should start as a novice listener to Miles Davis. She wisely suggested “In A Silent Way” and man, she was right on target, as that album sucked me right in, created a voracious appetite for more and expanded my musical frame of reference in a monumental way. Reading through all these testimonials proves I’m just one among many. I’ll never forget you Sally White.
I spent many many hours in Klein’s record department in the 70’s ..Her warm upbeat personality made me feel like family….RIP Sally!!
My name is rich zurkowski I was a forever customer at sallys place here’s a link to a song wrote for her that I was fortunate enough to give her before she closed shop
https://youtu.be/SImxbt38ALY
What a great song Rich. Thx for posting. So glad you were able to share it with her.
The most beautiful person, inside and out.
Sally was not only a musicial guide but a good friend for 35-40 years. She is part of what made Westport so special, and will always be a part of the town’s fabric. I could go on for several thousand words with stories, but what stands out most is I have never met anyone who loved a job more than Sally did. Every day was a new adventure, making new friends, enjoying visits from old ones and sharing her love of music. That is a life well lived.
My Dear Sally, I have missed our chats that we had almost daily in the lucky few years I sold you music. I can’t thank you enough for your loving guidance when we discussed personal matters. You are a priceless gem that was special to all who knew you. I am forever in your debt. Please rest well and know that you filled may hearts, minds and souls with music. You had a beautiful gift and shared that with so many. Thank you for calling me friend. Charles
Sally helped me out in many kind ways. First giving me price breaks and freebies in my starving student days. Later she helped my band get some choice gigs. She was a walking encyclopedia of music,stocking esoteric jazz stuff at Kleins for diehard musicians like myself. Such a wonderful lady.
1972 I was a theater major working in the scene shop at UB listening to PKN. One of the disc jockeys played Artie Kaplan ‘Confessions of the Male Chauvinist Pig’. I was floored by this song (still am). I immediately called a few local record stores and none heard of Artie. But in those calls, was a call to Kleins, and I spoke with Sally. ‘Sure’ she said, ‘ We have it’. Dropped my hammer, got in my VW bug and flew to exit 18 and found my way to Sally. I went to see her for years afterward and for some reason ( unknown to me) she always called me George. ( not my name) Her knowledge and beautiful presence is unmatched. Thank you dear sweet Lady.
Rich aka ‘George’
I’ve been searching the web today for articles about Sally. I just shared it on my Facebook page because the older I get, the more I seem to want to keep young people in the know about what “old school” really means. I like this article because of the video about her. It shows her committed PASSION for music, her integrity and emotional investment in doing what she loved as she kept the old school mom and pop shops alive. There was nothing like the feeling of going into a music store back then and spending an hour browsing the vinyl. From the mid-70s on I would most often go shopping in Westport rather than in my hometown because frankly, Westport was just plain cooler than New Canaan. She was part the reason. From her days at Klein’s up to her incarnation as store owner, she always remembered my name and always remembered the music that I liked. She would steer me in the direction of anything new that she thought I should get to know, especially in the Jazz genre. She had a great attitude, she was very, very “hip” and a de facto music educator and guru for all. She was Westport the way it used to be. I am sure that the music Greats especially the Jazzers who have gone before her will embrace her in Heaven as one of their most vocal spokespersons and that she will be kicking up her heals with them all. She was beloved. Rest in Peace Sally and thank you
Great memories of Sally at Klein’s and all her recommendations. I still have my old record collection, most came from Klein’s and a few from the Record Hunter down the street that I still play today, scratches and all. RIP, dear old friend!
Sally White was a dear friend and a shining example of something we must never lose in modern life- a sense of community and caring.
I will love her always and forever.
I can’t remember the first time I met Sally, that memory being lost is the mists of time and age, but I can remember the feeling. Of walking into that cramped little store, festooned with posters and other memorabilia, of a welcoming face shining from behind the cash register. Of sheepishly asking where the Blues albums would might be found, and the response was a smile and a direction to the back corner of the store. Of picking out a few of the bigger names, Muddy Water, Howlin Wolf, and of suggestions for other artists I might like. Never a pitch, never pressure, not solely to garner a sale. Sally never gave you that feeling, she always seemed to just want to share her love of music and foster your own.
That was truly the best part of Sally’s Place. She loved Jazz above all else, she made no bones about it. But she loved, and knew music. That Armenian folk singer from the 1970s that your sister-in-law’s brother told you about? Why yes, do you mean this one? I don’t have it in stock, but I can get it for you. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t her favorites, it didn’t seem to matter how obscure, she knew about it, she knew where to get it.
Going to Sally’s Place wasn’t as much about buying a new album, even though most of the Blues albums I have came from there. I was about seeing Sally, the smile, the warm face, the love of music. Young or old, rich or poor, if you loved music, you had a friend in Sally.
Such fond memories of hanging out in Klein’s records. A common habit was to search for new music while having one ear tuned to Sally’s endless recommendations. I can only repeat what others have put so well, she was a gem of a person, and very much a part of what made Westport special.
I may have grown up on rock and roll, but my adventure into jazz began with visiting her own shop. She was a mind reader and could recommend music the way a brilliant doctor prescribes the right medicine.
Thank you Sally.
I loved Sally, and her advise .I have know her since I was 14 and I thought she would live forever! Nobody does though and she will be in all our hearts forever>
Sally was a surrogate mother to me.
She is an enigma and will forever be missed and remembered as one great friend and Westport legend.
Sally was a spirit. I visited every time I was in Westport (at least once a month). The sense of positive energy and community in Sally’s Place was unique in my experience. I would go there for the positive energy as much as the music. She fostered an environment where customers who had never met each other interacted like old friends. Speaking with Sally never failed to lift my spirits and I always felt better leaving than arriving. I have never met anyone more suited to their work than Sally. I miss her very much.
I am so sorry to hear of Sally’s passing. I met her at Kleins and she would introduce me to all sorts of folk music I still love to this day. When she opened Sally’s Place, I was a dedicated customer. Never forgot her after I moved out of State.
In the spring and summer of 1970 it was my great pleasure to work for and with Sally at Klein’s in Westport. Positive and enthusiastic, she was always a delight to be around, As others have remarked and as I experienced, Sally was knowledgeable on a wide variety of recorded music, with a special passion for jazz. She loved all music and perhaps my favorite recollection of her is when the Columbia Records “one-stop” distributor delivered tickets for her to see Simon and Garfunkel that summer in NYC. She was thrilled!
Sally was unique and irreplaceable. My very best wishes to her friends and family, we all miss her.