Salty’s Record Attic has been closed for years following owner Ramona Saben’s death in December of 2013. Ramona’s husband Craig continued to serve customers for a short while until his death in August of 2014. Salty’s was a wealth of musical resources to individuals, radio stations and disc jockeys of the area. Ramona had an undeniably keen knowledge of the music and the artists from any genre and any year.
Ramona was a friend to many and an integral part of the radio and entertainment business in this area. She was always ready to help people including local DJs research music and find rare records. Derek Waring of the former DJ service, Bob & Derek (Bob DeLeon and Derek Waring) relates that Ramona was so helpful to their business that when working they always had a sign in front of their equipment that read, “Music From Salty’s Record Attic” because Ramona would always happily provide them with records that they needed, no charge.
Here’s a Modesto Radio Museum tribute to Salty’s Record Attic and the people who kept our records spinning and the music playing.
History of Salty’s Record Attic
video: ModestoNews.org, Morris Smith
Family and Friends Remember Salty’s Record Attic and Ramona Saben
video: Elaine Vincent
My name is Mindy and when I was a teenager I used to come to Salty’s Records. Ramona was so helpful to help me find records that I was looking for. She would buy a lot of my old records and I would turn around and buy more from her and her husband. They were the nicest people and if for some reason she didn’t have it she some how knew where to get it and it didn’t take long to get it in and she didn’t charge much to order a record for you either. I am sorry to just find out that they have both gone to heaven, what a great loss for the city of Modesto. I know they will be greatly missed, prayers to their family.
Hi Melinda –
Your message was passed on to me by the team at the Modesto Radio Museum.
My name is Kathy Hansen and I am Ramona and Craig’s daughter.
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. My mom always did try to go out of her way to find that very special song or record someone had their heart set on.
Once again, thank you for your kind words.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Hi Kathy!
I had so much fun working there – it was hardly a job (1991-1993). I remember we all had a lot of laughs. I was sad to hear she had passed. She was truly a lovely woman. I live on the east coast now and so my Modesto news comes sporadically. I still have the Wayne Newtown Christmas album and ‘Greatest Hits’ record she gave me when I left and I make my kids listen to them when I’m feeling particularly nostalgic.
I see a lot of comments about people missing Patches (the cat) too. The two of them certainly went together.
Hope you’re doing well, Kathy.
-Ryan
Hi Ryan! What a pleasant surprise. Rick from the Modesto Radio Museum passed your message on to me. I told him “I think my mom loved him more than she loved me”. HA!
Those were some really great days. I hope all is well with you.
Thank you for the kind words about my Mom. I run into people all the time that remember her fondly.
Kathy
Thanks for the comments. Ramona cared more about people than she cared about her record inventory, and she cared about her record inventory a lot. One time I was asked to record a commercial for the Gallo Center which was hosting a Russian Folk Dance Ensemble. I needed music. I asked Ramona if she had any recordings. Without looking at any notes, she replied, “Yes, they have recorded four albums, and we have all four. Come and borrow what you want.”
I thought I had her stumped. I guess I had another thought coming.
–Rick Myers
I used to go there starting in the 1980’s. She was a nice lady and she would look up songs for you in her Billboard book with her spectacles. Extremely helpful. I remember her big Gigantic cat that would take residence on the albums sometimes. 1 went there once in the 80s out of the 100s of times I was there and bought a bunch of Beatles and Billy Idol Pins to stick on your jacket. She and her big kitty are missed. Xoxo