Do you remember the first record shop you went to? And do you remember the first record that you bought?

WOW! This question is a two-parter, and the second part takes me back to somewhere around 1977 and my 11 year old self. I recall one day after secondary school, taking my pocket money into Boots in Woolwich (where I was born and lived until the early 90s), and “raiding” the top 40 singles display that they had in the basement of the building – yes, Boots the Chemist did used to sell records!
I came away with six singles on this visit, and although I can remember what I bought, I can’t remember exactly what they cost me, but I think they were around 20p each back then.
Jonathan Richman – Egyptian Reggae, ELO – Turn To Stone, Santana – She’s Not There, Tom Robinson Band – 2468 Motorway, Smokie – Needles and Pins and Barron Knights – Live In Trouble.
As you can gather, my taste is rather eclectic!
A couple of years later, I received my first albums (Blondie – Eat To The Beat and a Various Artists compilation – Rock ‘n’ Roller Disco) which were a Xmas present from my parents.
In terms of the first shop that I visited that sold records, this would have been the first of many trips to what they used to call “junk shops” (we now probably refer to them as antique emporiums), that I used to make as a 5 or 6-year-old with my mum. We’d end up picking out singles just because we liked the look of the label. My mum (sadly passed away in 2016) was an avid Billy Fury fan, so we used to play a lot of his stuff (think he was on blue Decca label) on our black Fidelity record player.
In the early 80s I started to venture into other independent record shops like TW Records (Plumstead) and Skiltons (Woolwich) – which also sold cards and newspapers and I think Boy George’s sister Siobhan worked there too. There was another record shop near the Woolwich ferry terminal (bottom of Hare Street I think), that we’d go and visit after school and play on their arcade machines (hours of fun were had, listening to records, and playing Galaxian)!

Who’s the most famous person you’ve had through your doors?

We did have Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys come in one Saturday last year (I didn’t know), and one of my regulars (Andrew) is a big PSB fan. It was only when he asked me “was that Neil Tennant that just walked out the door?” as he was coming into the shop, that I thought I probably missed out on a selfie opportunity! However, we did encourage his son to run up the hill and ask the man if he was who we thought he was. Yes, it was Neil, but he doesn’t do photos was the response. I haven’t (not) seen him since!!!!

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

I’ll be honest as I have to say that I never really went to gigs before I reached my forties! Yes, I probably missed out on loads, but we’ve certainly made up for lost time over the past 15 years.
I’m going to have to say that one of my favourite gigs was at Wembley Stadium on Father’s Day in 2007. Laurie and I were there to see Muse during their Black Holes and Revelations tour (magnificent album – check out the last track “Knights of Cydonia” – Matt Bellamy’s father played in the Tornados in the 60s, who released a single called “Telstar”. You will hear a tribute to that single on KoC).
Supporting Muse were Biffy Clyro, My Chemical Romance, Shy Boy and possibly one other that I have forgotten. To say that Muse blew the roof off the stadium with their show is an under-statement! Amazing!
At the time I never knew anything about “the Biff”, but Laurie and I had got into MCR’s “Welcome to the Black Parade” album that same year. Needless to say, the album is an iconic piece of emo/punk!

What’s you’re all-time favourite book?

Tricky one this, as I used to be a real bookworm before I finished secondary school, and then it all went a bit Pete Tong with going out etc and not finding time to read.
Having said that, we do have quite a lot of books and one of my favourites has to be Goodnight Steve McQueen by Louise Wener (from 90s indie band Sleeper, who I met after their gig at Folkestone’s Quarterhouse). It’s been a while since I laid my eyes on it, but I do recall it was a bitter-sweet story (funny/romantic) about someone in the music industry that was constantly being told to grow up and become an adult and get a proper job.
A slightly different read was Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”, which I found really compelling and read a fair bit of that when we were on holiday in Dubai about 16 years ago.

What’s your all-time favourite film?

This is a no-brainer for me – Planes, Trains and Automobiles with Steve Martin and John Candy. Absolute treasure and one from the John Hughes 80s collection which everyone must try and watch at least once! I would be amazed if anyone doesn’t well up at the end. “Life Moves Pretty Fast” is also a great collector’s boxset featuring many tracks from John Hughes high-school 80s movies.

If you could only listen to 3 songs for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Not easy this…. but if I have to choose three songs, they’ll need to offer a bit of everything, so here goes….
Phil Oakey – Together in Electric Dreams (for the sheer euphoria and happiness of the song)
Bob Marley – Waiting in Vain (total summery chillout feel-good tune)
Tony Blackburn – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (I only knew of this after a friend played it on their local radio show one Saturday morning – it then became my wake-up alarm) – such an upbeat Northern Soul-esque track!

Who would form your all-time Glastonbury line-up (past and present)?

You’re not giving me any numbers to limit myself to, so this could be a free for all!
Queen (with Freddie), George Michael (what a voice he had), Arcade Fire (exciting to watch), Coldplay (euphoric, believe it or not), Muse (fantastic show), Duran Duran (they have to be there), Human League (still going strong), Pink Floyd (70s line-up), Amy Winehouse (what a waste), Jimi Hendrix (legend), John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (British blues – brilliant), Fleetwood Mac (with both females, sadly Christine has now left us), Beatles (I almost forgot them), David Bowie (such a music and fashion chameleon), Marvin Gaye (Tamla legend) and last but not least, as I feel I have added way too many already – Madness (cos they were the nutty boys)!

What’s you’re all-time favourite record?

I can’t answer that, as my favourite record used to change on a weekly basis! One week it was Maid of Orleans by OMD, the next it could be Club Country by The Associates!
However, you have asked so I should give you something even if it may not be my all-time fave, it could be my current ear-worm……Reeling by Say She She, reminds me of the mid-80s “Street Sounds” album series!

What’s your favourite part of Record Store Day?

The buzz that you get from people’s excitement and hope of getting their hands on something they have wished for. All the time, effort and organisation that goes into getting the physical products - and ultimately the customers - into the shop on the day, is totally worth it!

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