228: Where's the VIP Record sign? Owner Kelvin Anderson explains

The Word with Jackie Rae

In January of 2018, the world famous VIP Record sign was removed from the iconic record store located on the corer of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

The sign and the record store became synonymous for the record store that was instrumental in launching the careers of Warren G, Snoop and Nate Dogg was removed.

Before the removal of the sign, a battle for the legacy the sign represents was underway. Kelvin Anderson, the owner of VIP, says he put the sign up for sale on eBay to help fund his retirement. At that time, the Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to make the sign a historic landmark which would hinder Anderson's ability to sell it.

Since then, there has been no movement, no new location, and no definitive answer on where the sign will be housed.

Anderson is now hopeful that will change. He says he has a commitment from Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia to find a permeant home, or put a plan in place for the sign, before he leaves office.

Anderson, with the help of Rhonda Love and DreamKreators studios has started the “Where’s the Whistler” campaign to raise funds for the signs new home and museum. To donate you can visit the website here.

You can also attend a Vip Records live music event every first and third Wednesday of the month at Roscoe's Jazz Lounge located 730 E. Brodway Blvd. Tickets are $10 and a portion of the process will go to the “Where’s the Whistler” fund raising efforts.

On today’s episode of The Word podcast we hear from Kelvin Anderson about the struggles to make the museum a reality.