David L. Abell fine pianos is going out of business. After nearly 54 years, the ivy-covered shop at 8162 Beverly Blvd. where John Williams walked in one day and played Prokofiev's Third Piano Sonata for customers will close its doors forever. It is truly the end of a very glamorous, very musical era.

At one time, anyone who was anyone in the music industry acquired their pianos through David L. Abell. The framed, autographed photos that still line the walls of the store represent a who’s who of the entertainment world of yesterday and today—Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones, Gene Kelly, George Shearing and Frank Sinatra were all customers, as was Jackson Browne, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, the Eagles and the Moody Blues.  

Classical musicians Emanuel Ax, Andre Previn and John Williams all bought pianos from the store.

In its decades of operation, David L. Abell became the source to buy or rent piano for such clients as 20th Century Fox, Alliance Television, Beverly Hills Porsche, Beverly Hills Public Library, The Beverly Hilton, Montage Beverly Hills, Castle Rock Entertainment. Crustacean restaurant, Dreamworks Records, Elektra Records,  International Creative Management (ICM), law office of Robert A. Nadler, L'Hermitage, Lladro Center, Miramax, Playboy Entertainment Group, Prego restaurant, Spago and Sunset West Design.

David L. Abell loved jazz and made his mark on the Los Angeles musical scene by supporting Southern California musicians and musical programs including the UCLA Jazz Studies Program.

Abell and his wife, Barbara were the impetus behind rebuilding the music department at Washington Preparatory High School after a fire destroyed everything. The new department was named in their honor.

 Abell sold the store to Dennis Hagerty and Jeff Falgien of Keyboard Concepts, in 1999. Despite the fact that Keyboard Concepts has four locations throughout Southern California, they decided to retain the David L. Abell fine pianos name for the store on Beverly.

Hagerty is nostalgic about the store and its history. “We are sorry that we have to close the doors, “ says Hagerty. “But in this economic climate, it’s no longer feasible.”

Keyboard Concepts is conducting a sale of all the existing inventory at David L. Abell. The store is known for its selection of high-end pianos including Yamaha grands, Bosendorfers and vintage Steinways.  “All those pianos must be liquidated and will be sold at very dramatic savings,” Hagerty said,