The historic sign, which dates back to the 1950s and is shaped like a musical note, is reportedly being donated to the Mesa Preservation Foundation.
Ziggie’s Music, a go-to spot for generations of local and nationally known musicians, permanently closed in May due to health issues faced by longtime owner Dionne Hauke.
Though the future of Ziggie’s Music property remains uncertain, its iconic sign will continue to live on.
A piece of Phoenix history
Ziggie’s Music was a local institution that thrived for decades. Founded by the late Angelo “Ziggie” Zardus, a Michigan native and professional accordion player, the store first opened in 1940 near Fourth Avenue and Washington Street.In the mid-1950s, Zardus relocated the store to a property built alongside his home on Third Street south of Osborn Road, which served as its longtime location and featured its iconic neon sign.
Over the following decades, Ziggie’s Music was patronized by many famous musicians, including such icons as the late Waylon Jennings, Dick Dale and Lee Hazelwood.
Legendary guitarist (and one-time Arizona resident) Duane Eddy purchased the orange Gretsch 6120 guitar he used to create the signature twang on his best-known hit “Rebel Rouser.” In the 1980s, famed session musician Al Casey began conducting music lessons and recording sessions at the store and lived in the attached residence.
Ziggie’s Music's loyal fanbase, including a few famous patrons, rallied in 2013 to help restore its iconic sign. Around two dozen supporters from the U.S. and U.K. contributed to an Indiegogo campaign that raised $2,340 to bring the sign back to its glowing glory.
They couldn’t keep the store from going out of business more than a decade later.
‘The sign will be properly cared for’
Ziggie’s Music closed its doors permanently at the end of May after Dionne Hauke suffered a fall and was placed in managed care. Her daughter, Megan Hauke, told Phoenix New Times via text message the closure was caused by her mother’s health issues, a downturn in business in recent years and other factors.Initially, the family planned to donate the store’s iconic neon sign to the Musical Instrument Museum. However, that plan didn’t materialize.
According to Ziggie’s Music's Facebook account, the MIM "appreciated our offer and acknowledged the historical significance and 'coolness' of the sign," but had to decline the donation due to their curation standards.
The sign was then donated to the Mesa Preservation Foundation, a local non-profit that preserves historic structures and neighborhoods in the Valley. In recent years, the foundation has also helped restore vintage neon signs from historic businesses in Mesa and elsewhere, including Watson's Flowers in Tempe and now-defunct restaurant Bill Johnson's Big Apple.
According to Vic Linoff, the foundation's president, the Ziggie's sign will be restored and displayed in downtown Mesa.
Donna Reiner, a spokesperson for the Arizona Vintage Sign Coalition, stated on Facebook that the Ziggie’s Music sign is in good hands.
"Rest assured, the sign will be properly cared for," Reiner wrote.
