According to an interview Solomon's son Micheal gave to local newspaper the Sacramento Bee , he suffered from a heart attack while watching the Oscars.

"Ironically, he was giving his opinion of what someone was wearing that he thought was ugly, then asked (his wife) Patti to refill his whisky", after which he died.

Solomon was well known in the music industry as an unconventional character. He routinely gave executive level jobs to his music loving floor staff, a move he credits to the overwhelming success of the chain at the time. He also had a real disdain for the pomp of the business world and would make visitors remove their neckties once inside Tower Records headquarters.

Despite being widely successful in its day, the chain eventually shut down following the onset of downloading and streaming services.

Gone but certainly not forgotten, tributes to the late great Solomon have been pouring out on Twitter since the news of his passing

rest in peace Russ Solomon, from a guy who’s last job before becoming a professional musician was at tower records. in its heyday it was, for music fans and more, home to a lot of us. thank you. ?

— el-p (@therealelp) March 5, 2018

RIP Russ! We're keeping the flame well and truly lit. #RussSolomonhttps://t.co/K68lPSZDgn pic.twitter.com/1FWpqI0Led

— Tower Records Dublin (@TowerDublin) March 5, 2018

RIP to a man who made a cool part of Sacramento history a worldwide brand. #RussSolomon #TowerRecords @ColinHanks https://t.co/A89ubfj4w7

— Victor Manuel (@WestSacHoya82) March 6, 2018

RIP Russ Solomon. Tower Records was such a huge part of my growing up. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/OnyoD2aqnW

— Lisa Loeb (@LisaLoeb) March 5, 2018