Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: 2 E. Northwest Highway
Is building standing: Yes, at 10 S. Pine Street
What is at site: Le Peep
When was business founded: 1971
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close: Sometime between 1983-1990
Who owned business: Mike Herman was the owner and Bill Herman was the manager
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Hotter Than Mother’s Music opened its doors at 2 E. Northwest Highway in 1971, after Jim Faetz’s State Farm Insurance agency moved its offices in fall 1970. Music fans of just about any genre could find albums there, from Led Zeppelin IV to Jesus Christ Superstar to Carole King’s Tapestry. Mother’s Music also sold music equipment, like 8-track tape players, headphones, and tape recorders. During the 1973 oil crisis one of their December ads quipped that “If you run out of gas, at least you could still listen to your favorite music!”
The famous pinball machines arrived at Mother’s Music sometime after an April 1975 hearing to request the permit. Many former customers fondly remember spending plenty of quarters on the many pinball machines. A February 1976 Daily Herald article noted that pinball players came from all over the surrounding suburbs and enjoyed hot pizza and pop while playing. “The Wizard” was the most popular machine at the time.
It’s unclear when Hotter Than Mother’s Music closed, but it was still operating as of December 1983, when it was briefly mentioned in a Daily Herald article. By 1990 Keyser Chiropractic Center occupied the building and Mother’s Music did not appear in the phonebook. The building itself moved to Pine Street where it is now the home of Capannari Ice Cream.