The Hollywood
Piano Story
Nearly a century of music, movies,
television, and family tradition.
From 300 unexpected pianos to one of America’s best-known piano companies, Hollywood Piano’s story is closely tied to the rise of sound in film, the golden age of Hollywood, and generations of families who found their piano with us.
Nearly 100 Years of Musical Heritage
1927–1928 —
When movies learned to talk
In 1927 Hollywood released its first all-talking motion picture, The Jazz Singer, and music became a permanent part of the movies. The following year, 1928, Hollywood Piano Company opened for business.
From 8th Street to
Western Avenue to Highland
The first location was in Abe’s offices on 8th Street, then within a year on Western Avenue, and shortly after at the landmark Highland Avenue location, where the iconic Hollywood Piano neon sign was lit for the first time.
At the right place at
the right time
Many customers of the early years included the major Hollywood Studios and such motion picture luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Norma Talmadge, Cecil B. De Mille, Walt Disney, and Louis B. Mayer.
From 300 Pianos to a
Hollywood institution
Founder Abe Tishkoff, a Russian immigrant in the construction business, accepted 300 pianos in lieu of payment for a music school he built. Neighbors began renting them for about $2 a month — and a piano company was born.
A Store for the Stars
The Highland Avenue store became a magnet for stars and studios. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell came in after putting their hands in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and Frank Sinatra was a regular customer.
Hollywood & Highland,
then Burbank,
then Pasadena
When the Hollywood & Highland / Kodak Theatre development changed the neighborhood, the historic property was sold — with the original sign and pianos saved. The company later moved to Burbank, and in 2024 opened its new Pasadena headquarters.
Seen on TV & In Film
And many more productions that have trusted Hollywood Piano.
Television history
Hollywood Piano supplied the pianos used by Lucy and Ricky, the famous piano at the beginning of All in the Family when Archie and Edith sang “Those Were the Days,” and piano prizes on Let’s Make a Deal. Later appearances included Frasier, Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, Two and a Half Men, Dirty Sexy Money, Glee, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and The Voice.
The historic
Hollywood Piano Neon Sign
The iconic sign was made by the George Claude Neon Company, the same company associated with Los Angeles’ earliest neon signs. It was removed piece by piece and reassembled at our Arroyo Parkway location for posterity. The sign is also featured in the opening credits of Hollywood Homicide.
Nearly a century of history—still playing.
Experience Hollywood Piano’s landmark heritage and explore hundreds of instruments at our Pasadena showroom.
