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George Clay - Music Centre

Hello Sharon,

And welcome to the Forum. Many members here had dealings with your father and his business - I personally bought a set of Ajax Vibes (Boosey & Hawkes) from Cecil Viles, who was your father's manager at that time (1960). I moved to Dorset in 1961, but can't recollect your father's appearance on Lunch Box prior to then, though I didn't watch every programme and it may well have been after I left the area. I understand that Gerry Allen's drummer, Lionel Rubin, is still alive and living, I believe, in Leicestershire. He may well recall something. I'll see if I can dig up some more information tomorrow as I am just off out in a minute.

Kind regards,

Maurice
 
HI ALL
You can still find a george clay operating here in worcestershire city down a side street selling the same instruments
i had to look twice and i thought i would put it n the forum that was a couple of months ago; but like most things i never got around to it
just like bill landowne baths are here out in worc; they have to be there sibbling surely ;
best wishes astonian;;
 
Hi Maurice, all

Many thanks for feedback. I have a few mementoes of dad's in the loft, I was always told he worked on Lunchbox but nothing to verify so will be good to find out more. Many thanks for links. I will check them out.

Happy New Year

Sharon
 
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I worked in George Clay's music shop when it was on Broad Street, I was only there for a few weeks but I can recall Cecil Viles playing his trumpet most days in the shop, there was another sales assistant there also at the time, a few years older than me, and a few years younger than Mr Viles, in the back office was a lady secretary, and George Clay, most days George Clay senior which I would say was Sharons grandfather and her uncle would visit the shop, I can recall going to the bank with the weekly taking while in the company of the elder George Clay, we went together to protect each other...me a 16 year old and him in his 70s I expect.....I will be honest here, I found it very boring it wasn't very busy and the days dragged plus I had to work Saturdays, I was told by the brother that I had to paint some shelving at one stage, told him no I wasn't going to do it, he said he can make me, so next day I stayed in bed and never returned, this was in 1969 while George and his family were in America, he sent me a postcard from there showing the USA Navy Fleet, he did along with his brother who's name I cannot remember come to my house and asked me why I left, I wasn't in at the time, but my nan gave them both a cup of tea and told them about being ask to paint the shelves.....she was told they were only joking, but I was glad to leave, wages were poor.......the people were okay, just the wages and working Saturdays......
 
Hi Astonlad,

I agree that Broad Street was not a busy shop. Let's face it, musicians don't buy new instruments every week, so it's only things like drum accessories, sax and clarinet reeds, and that sort of thing. I seems that if there was a big sale to be made, Cecil always dealt with it. I think I went there for my vibes because they were the local Boosey & Hawkes agents for percussion, and in those days there was only Premier or Boosey & Hawkes to choose from as far as vibes were concerned. Neither Musser nor Deagan (now absorbed into Yamaha) were being imported from the States at that time.

Maurice
 
Hi Sharon,

I have read this posting with interest - I can indeed confirm that you Dad was on Lunchbox with Noele Gordon - as my Mum was on it with him too!! I have been trying and trying for years to try and see if there was any footage, in fact I have now contacted the Central archives as per someone suggested earlier to see if they know of any in existence.

Mum was in George Clay's Accordion Band and they were all on Lunchbox together - she worked with George at his shop for years, I remember him very well too when he used to visit us when I was younger. Mum taught accordion as well as working as his secretary (possibly the lady Aston Lad saw in the back of the shop back in 1969).

You will remember her - Val Wood - she said she lost your contact details and is so pleased that I found this site.

She can probably answer most questions anyone has about Cecil, George or the shop back in the days!! I remember Cecil and the trumpet stories well! I got my first guitar from George Clay shop and still have it now, it is over 30 years old now.

Sharon, please could you get in touch and let me have your contact details, Mum would love to get in touch :) I will advise the administrator of the list to give you my email address as I'm not sure if you can send private emails to members.

Thanks

Alison
 
Hi Sharon,
Your Dad (George Clay) was a great Entertainer and an excellent showman, having entertained during the war years and later on he made radio broadcasts. In 1960 he appeared on the ATV Lunch Box programme with Noele Gordon. He was teaching her to play the Accordion which was a six week course and he appeared every Thursday on TV giving her a weekly lesson. He also had a Ladies Accordion Band, who were housewives learning to play the accordion and who also appeared on the Lunchtime show with him. I too appeared on the show on two occasions playing solo. The Lunch Box programmes were televised at the ATV Studios which were at that time in Aston Road North, Birmingham. George had many Accordion Schools around the Midlands at that time and he loaned pupils a small Accordion for a trial period of six weekly lessons and if they showed an interest after the six weeks, they would then buy their own instrument and continue with lessons. It was an excellent way for pupils to begin as they did not have to buy an instrument initially, only if they showed enough interest after the six weeks trial period, did they buy their own instrument and continue with music lessons. He had Music Schools in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Bath, Bristol, Worcester and many more areas, the main school of course being in Broad Street, Birmingham. His Accordion Band competed in the All Britain Champion Accordion Contest in 1954, 1955 and 1956 which was held in London and gained first place, he also had quite a few duet and solo pupils competing and they too gained first place awards. He was an excellent teacher and musician. He began teaching the Accordion in Studios which were above Yardleys Music Shop at the bottom of Snow Hill. In the late 1950's he opened a shop in Broad Street which he called "The Midlands Accordion Centre" purely selling Accordions and had music studios a few doors away up the road above the Philip Fyne Motor Showrooms. Later he introduced other instruments for sale and the business became "The George Clay Music Centre" where many well known musicians came to buy their instruments. His business was very successful indeed but sadly he eventually in his latter years had to retire because of ill health. He most certainly did not go bankrupt. I was both Secretary and Music Teacher for George and we had some very talented pupils. If you have any more questions Sharon, I will see if I can answer them. I have not used this Forum before so am not sure about how to go about sending e-mails to you but hope we can keep in touch. All the best, Val (Wood)
 
RE George Clay Music Centre

Hi, I worked in the office of Georges shop for about two yrs. in the early 60s. Before this I had accordion lessons with an accordionist tutor named Johnny Bishton at Clays studios. I have quite a few Accordion medasl and certificates. I went to an accordion festival at Leicester (I think it was) and did a duet with a girl called Tina Howarth. I probably have Accordion School sheet music with Georges pic.on the front in my loft. When I left school George asked me to work for him.

I remember Cecil Viles in the shop and two younger ones. One a sax player named Maurice Brotherton and a Graham who I think played guitar. Trevor Emeny from the Mansells shop worked in there quite often.

Georges sister Katrina also worked in the office. At one time she was with someone called Stewart Sapcote (I am not sure if she married him). George Clay Senior also visited the office and Georges wife Kitty. There was a Mr Jackson who worked in there some days - a trumpet player I think.

A few young people came and left the office while I was there. A Jenny Duprez, Alexis Houchin and a Josie Kirby.

There was someone who taught drums at the studios. One of his names was Norman but cant remember if this was his first or last name,

Denny Lane from Denny Lane and the Diplomats often came in the shop. He went on to be with the Moody Blues and then Paul McCartneys Wings.

The shop was next to the BBC studios and just up the road from the register office. This was the second Clays shop in Broad Street. When I first started it was another shop further up the road.

When visiting B'ham. I often wonder what happened to the shop and the people who worked there so I found this site.........
 
Hi Petals,
You are quite correct, George Clay Accordion Centre was the first shop in Broad Street, selling purely Accordions at that time, before moving a bit further up the road next to the BBC Studios changing the name to George Clay Music Centre. The first shop had Studios above the shop which is where I first began to teach. I gave up playing and teaching in 1959 when I gave birth to our first son. This would be roughly about the time when you started working there. I started again after two years and resumed teaching and also worked during the day in the office at the back of the second shop. I remember John Bishton very well and his wife Maida, also Terry Hale, Bob Stevens, Henry Twigg (who I still have contact with), also Ron Beecham (who sadly passed away a while ago) and of course Pamela Deikin who also sadly is no longer with us. Also I remember well Cecil Viles, Graham, Mike and Trevor Emeny. I know Katrina of course and she did marry Stewart Sapcote but I haven't seen Katrina for years, last time was at George's funeral. Mr. Clay Senior was lovely and so was his wife Mrs. Clay. George married Kitty and they had a daughter Sharon but I have not received a reply from Sharon yet. I played in George's Accordion Bands and also became one of his teachers. I must have seen you Petals at some time, our paths must surely have crossed. Those were very interesting times which I remember well with great fondness.
 
Hi Maurice,
I have watched the Video of Trevor with interest, he hasn't changed much at all although it is very many years ago when I last saw him at George Clays. Must be over 50 years since I last saw him too.
 
Hi Maurice,

Thank you for sending the link, I have just opened it and it is a very good photo of Trevor and am glad to see that he is still playing.

Val
 
Hi Sharon, I have been looking for Katrina Clay (your aunt) who was my best friend in the early 60s, and wondered whether you have any news of her? I would be very grateful. I also remember your father George.
 
Is Jacqui Dankworth a reletive of Johnnys? Did you see the Emmys last night and the James Bond tribute who was the singer anyone remember her? John Crump OldBrit. Parker. Co USA
 
Jacqui Dankworth was singing on "Friday Night is Music Night" on BBC Radio 2 a few weeks ago. Lovely voice.
 
George Clay was a piano accordion teacher, who made his name when his most famous student, Pamela Deakin, won the All Britain Accordion Championship's. The joke was always how Pamela managed to be such an excellent player because she was endowed with a large chest. George opened his music shop in Broad Street called George Clay Music Centre, and Cecil Viles an excellent trumpet player joined George from Yardley's Music Store, where George had also taught Accordion. During my odd music visits to Birmingham I would call in to see both George and Cecil. two wonderful characters. Another young man that worked for George (Graham) was also an excellent salesman, and went on to own his own music shop, and was the main Peavey agent for the city. I have many stories that I could tell about George, but this is not the place! Trevor Emney I have known for many years (Trevor also worked in Yardley's) and we last played together in the Midland All Stars Big Band. John Patricks wife Brenda occasionally sang with the band. Mansells Music Shop was situated in an arcade off New Street (cannot recall the name). It was owned by Geoff Goff of Leamington Spa, and I would visit this shop in the late 1940's. The manager was Alf Brough, and he played guitar at the Golden Eagle in Hurst street. Alf also worked for Jack Woodroffe. Jacks first shop was also in Broad Street, but on the other side of the road from Clays, and a much earlier date. I had drum lessons at Woodroffes in the 1940's, with Harold Deakin. Jack later moved to John Bright Street, a couple of doors down from Chetwyn's, who were situated on the corner of John Bright Street and Navigation Street. When Chetwyn's closed Woodroffe's moved into the corner shop. I could add a great deal more about Birmingham 1940/50 music stores, the musicians, and many stories, but for the moment, lets leave it at this.
 
George Clay was a piano accordion teacher, who made his name when his most famous student, Pamela Deakin, won the All Britain Accordion Championship's. The joke was always how Pamela managed to be such an excellent player because she was endowed with a large chest. George opened his music shop in Broad Street called George Clay Music Centre, and Cecil Viles an excellent trumpet player joined George from Yardley's Music Store, where George had also taught Accordion. During my odd music visits to Birmingham I would call in to see both George and Cecil. two wonderful characters. Another young man that worked for George (Graham) was also an excellent salesman, and went on to own his own music shop, and was the main Peavey agent for the city. I have many stories that I could tell about George, but this is not the place! Trevor Emney I have known for many years (Trevor also worked in Yardley's) and we last played together in the Midland All Stars Big Band. John Patricks wife Brenda occasionally sang with the band. Mansells Music Shop was situated in an arcade off New Street (cannot recall the name). It was owned by Geoff Goff of Leamington Spa, and I would visit this shop in the late 1940's. The manager was Alf Brough, and he played guitar at the Golden Eagle in Hurst street. Alf also worked for Jack Woodroffe. Jacks first shop was also in Broad Street, but on the other side of the road from Clays, and a much earlier date. I had drum lessons at Woodroffes in the 1940's, with Harold Deakin. Jack later moved to John Bright Street, a couple of doors down from Chetwyn's, who were situated on the corner of John Bright Street and Navigation Street. When Chetwyn's closed Woodroffe's moved into the corner shop. I could add a great deal more about Birmingham 1940/50 music stores, the musicians, and many stories, but for the moment, lets leave it at this.
 
Lionel and I last met up in Birmingham a few years ago, when Colin telephoned me to say "come up to Birmingham for my 65th birthday bash". I joined John Patrick, Lionel, Alf (Bev) Bevin, also a wonderful jazz pianist, Gary Alcock and other old Birmingham jazz musicians, for a wonderful day. Sadly Colin died just afterwards. Lionel was still living just outside Leicester along with Ken Ingerfield, bass (also ex Jerry Allen, and then working with the Syd Lawrence Band). Lionel, Ken and George Watts (alto), not only lived next door to each other in Leicestershire, but had also previously run Ringway Music in "Brum". Incidentally George had also previously worked at Yardley's music store in Birmingham. Jerry Allen later added a vibes player, Alan Graham, and the Trio became a Quartet. Did you also know that Jerry Allen had also worked with Jan Ralfini, but before my time?
 
NB:
I heard quite a few stories about Ralfini, mainly from a London drummer, Lou Simmons, who had worked with him & who was blinded during the war. He later retired to Bournemouth, but long after Ralfini had left the area. Doing a bit of digging I came across this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsjWKM1VeM which features Tommy Trinder, Jan Ralfini and an unknown Hammond Organ player. Certainly long before my time!

EDIT: Just found this from 1949:- Jan Ralfini and his 14 piece Orchestra with Jerry Allen at the Wonder Hammond Organ with his Rumba Band, begin a residency on the South Parade Pier. [Southsea]
Now we'd better get this back on topic!

Maurice
 
I discovered this site a few days ago and I've since spent hours trawling through it re-living memories. I think I was about 9 years old (1959) when I entered a colouring competition and won the prize of piano accordion lessons at George Clay's school. I can't remember how many lessons I had but I did get past the beginner's stage. I absolutely loved it and I think I was quite good. Unfortunately, it got to the stage where I was expected to have my own accordion rather than borrow one from the school and my parents couldn't afford to buy one so I had to finish with the lessons. I was absolutely gutted, and it still upsets me now!

I still have the music books that I used and I have scanned the front and back covers - see below:
George_Clay_Beginner_Front.jpg

George_Clay_Beginner_Back.jpg

George_Clay_Easy_Pieces_Front.jpg

George_Clay_Easy_Pieces_Back.jpg
 
Hi David we have a clay music shop here in the centre of Worcestershire with all the instruments
I do not know how long they have been here in word thou but they are still trading
It was a shame you never finished your course in lessons
Have a good day best wishes Astonian,,,,,,
 
Cecil Viles from George Clay Music was my father. His full name was Frederick Raymond Cecil Viles - always known as "Cecil" or even by some as "Sitch". He was born in Bath on June 11th 1915 and died in Birmingham in August 1993. There was a wonderful tribute played by his musician friends at his funeral in Sutton Coldfield.
I remember the shop on Broad Street very well. I bought my first "proper" car from the garage next door. The shop moved, on the redevelopment, to the Ringway and George later sold the business.
I knew George, his wife Kitty and his father, George Clay Senior.
Dad was a trumpet player - in the RAF during the war . He played with many musicians and bands such as Steve Race. He moved to Clay's from Yardley's in Snow Hill.
He set up the Getzen distributorship following a visit to the USA. Kenny Ball visited the shop several times and I have a cutting from the Birmingham Mail pictured with my father.
 
Bob,

Welcome to the Forum and I am pleased to make your internet acquaintance. I last saw your father in January 1961 before I moved south to Dorset. A couple of years or so before, I bought my Boosey & Hawkes vibes from him. It was a pleasure to know him.

Maurice
 
I noticed this photo of the George Clay Music Centre on the Shoothill site.
GeorgeClay.jpg
 
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I spent many a happy saturday morning looking through the windows of George Clays. One of the big mistakes of my life, should have bought an original Fender strat, what would it be worth now?
 
Aaaaah..........Dear George & Cecil. For over 20 years, from when Cecil worked in Yardleys, and George taught accordion, I knew them right up until I left the UK music scene, for Zildjian cymbals, in 1978. Many a story.

Eddie
 
oldMohawk said:
I noticed this photo of the George Clay Music Centre on the Shoothill site.
View attachment 102284
Click to expand...


This must have been taken just before the Broad Street development. The garage to the right has closed already.
My father said that many famous people looked through that window (Many taking a walk from the TV Studios)
He and Tommy Cooper pulled faces at one another for several minutes.
Musicians ran from Chuck Berry and Ozzy Osbourne to Kenny Ball and Roy Castle not to mention many of the CBSO
 
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