The Curious Case of Kris Hadlock

“One thing I’ve learned that time doesn’t stand still/Some make the top, others never climb that hill.”

--“Whatever Happened to You?”
Hadlock

It’s an ice-cold snowy January night in Rochester, New York, and I’m getting a personal tour of America’s most legendary music store, House of Guitars, by one of its local favorite sons. Kris Hadlock, age 36, has never had a record deal, performed his songs in front of arena audiences, been interviewed by Rolling Stone or felt the flash of a paparazzi’s camera. Nevertheless, he lives the rock star dream, in his head and more importantly, in his heart. And if and when time and space should ever catch up with him, look out.

“I grew up in this store, was here every day after school,” muses the bottle-blond only-son of an accordion teacher. “Every band that came through Rochester back in the day TBC...