Rasputin Music

The Story

This store opened in 1971 on Durant Avenue and later moved to Telegraph Avenue, where it operates to this day. Its name is a tribute to the Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin, and its inventory of vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and even rare formats like LaserDisc has become the store's trademark. On April 16, 2016, Metallica played a surprise set inside the store to celebrate Record Store Day, the band's first time in Berkeley in 17 years. In 1990, former Rasputin employees left the store to open competitor Amoeba Music, also in Berkeley. Rasputin remains in business.

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