Hey ade, does the rockers bag have a skull on it? I seem to remember one. Behind the counter they had a melted black telephone. There always seemed to be Johnny thunders style guys talking to the shop owners who were prob in bands at the time (around 86) . The same guys hung around a record stall on rag market too. The lad who ran the stall was in a band called the sect. Ring any bells with anyone?
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Record shops in Birmingham
- Thread starter tony sammons
- Start date
Hi John,
I think that photo is earlier than mid 80's. I worked/dossed/(played much 3 card brag) at the Anchor Snooker Club in 85-86 and spent a lot of time in that cafe, and I remember it looking a bit tidier than that - might just be a memory trick though. (The guy who owned it (Tom ?) sold it and set up a rock pub on the Queensway called 'Rosie O'Niels', just opposite Quenchers Bar).
I think that photo is earlier than mid 80's. I worked/dossed/(played much 3 card brag) at the Anchor Snooker Club in 85-86 and spent a lot of time in that cafe, and I remember it looking a bit tidier than that - might just be a memory trick though. (The guy who owned it (Tom ?) sold it and set up a rock pub on the Queensway called 'Rosie O'Niels', just opposite Quenchers Bar).
Yeah u could be right. I remember mods hanging round there about 84/85 so guessed it was then but could Easily be earlier. If u google Birmingham mods that pic turns up. Maybe it says when it was.
BrummyPaul
knowlegable brummie
I remember as a teen I worked I worked at the Kings Norton Factory Centre (as it was called then) in the early to mid 70's and every Friday I'd run up the hill with my pay packet and into the little record shop in Cotteridge. I can't remember the name of it but it was next to Woolies and had just a small door at street level and stairs going up to the shop on the first floor. I was buying the T Rex and Bowie albums then. The shop was ran by a lady who knew me well and would pre-warn me when she was due to get the latest records in stock. Brilliant days!
Elmdon Boy
master brummie
I remember in the early seventies going into a record shop on the Pershore Rd in Stirchley.
I had a list of a number of LPs I wanted to order via a postal record club I had just joined.
I asked the chap behind the counter if he could give me record numbers as the record club required them on the order form.
He was not to helpful and told me in no certain terms to clear off.
I really didn't think at the time,and was surprised by his response.
On reflection afterwards I was fully understanding and couldn't belive I had been so brazen.
The cheek of me!
I had a list of a number of LPs I wanted to order via a postal record club I had just joined.
I asked the chap behind the counter if he could give me record numbers as the record club required them on the order form.
He was not to helpful and told me in no certain terms to clear off.
I really didn't think at the time,and was surprised by his response.
On reflection afterwards I was fully understanding and couldn't belive I had been so brazen.
The cheek of me!
ade
master brummie
Yes those were the days alright, sitting on the bus on the way home reading the record sleeve, then that final unveiling as you would pull the fresh record out of the sleeve before putting it on the turntable. What's the fun in downloading a record and having it sitting on a hard-drive and you can't even see it.
john knight
signman
My favourite was Cranes in Corporation street, independent booths where you could get records from the assistant and take them to a booth and play them before choosing, later there was The Diskery in Hurst street, great days.
Brownowl40
proper brummie kid
The stall in the Indoor market was Bailey's records and I worked there in the 1970's
Brownowl40
proper brummie kid
I remember Pimms pets as I worked at Baileys in the 1970's
Brownowl40
proper brummie kid
Does anyone remember Baileys records in the Bull Ring indoor market???
Yeh I do and I remember Don cristies record shop too
knobbydave
master brummie
The record shop was called 'Blakes' and they also sold TV's and Radios if I remember correctly. I used to work in the camera shop 'Shutterbugs' over the road. I bought all my T.Rex albums from there too. The lady would always be very helpful finding out when new releases were due
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BrummyPaul
knowlegable brummie
Nice one knobbydave, well remembered!
ade
master brummie
The big question Dave, please tell me you've still got all of those records
knobbydave
master brummie
Well ... I've still got the audio ... in digital form ... If I remember right I gave the T.Rex albums away years ago (along with all the other vinyl) when I got divorced and sold the cd's about 5 years back.
Hello
Many Moons ago (2010) I posted a query about whether anyone remembered The Music Box, a record store on Erdington High Street. I've read with interest all the posts on Birmingham Record Stores as well as some great photos, for which many thanks! However, I'm still hoping someone will find a photograph of the shop and post it! In the absence of a 'photo here's my sketch based on what I can remember - helped by Viv - who jogged my memory about how the door was set back so there was two good display windows. Best Wishes, Dick
Many Moons ago (2010) I posted a query about whether anyone remembered The Music Box, a record store on Erdington High Street. I've read with interest all the posts on Birmingham Record Stores as well as some great photos, for which many thanks! However, I'm still hoping someone will find a photograph of the shop and post it! In the absence of a 'photo here's my sketch based on what I can remember - helped by Viv - who jogged my memory about how the door was set back so there was two good display windows. Best Wishes, Dick
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
Funny how things come back to you, BUT re record shops.There was a shop downtown I cant remember just where, BUT as a teenager I was always chatting up the "BIRDS" GIRLS!! There was working at this record shop one I fancied, one day I went after having a meal and I got talking to her, she said "You just had sausage and chips didnt you?" talk about been shot down in flames!!!
mw0njm.
A Brummie Dude
should have had some
John i once asked a bird out when i was young. "she said i dont go out with scruffs "i will always remember that remark .the snooty cow.
Thanks Lyn. I must have visited the shop around 1971 ... any help much appreciated!
SmethwickGirl
Boing Boing!!
I used to mostly buy my records from HMV in Town, as the 82 stopped almost outside there, I would either jump off and go straight in or go in before catching the bus home. Sometimes brought my reggae records from Don Christie by the Bull Ring bus station, and Reddingtons Rare Records.
I lived just over the border in Bearwood, where we had Woolies and two independent record shops, Pied Piper at the top of Poplar Road, which closed down around 1979/80 and one on Sandon Road where I would spend hours going through the boxes of singles finding ones to add to my collection. I remember especially buying two records from there, I had some money for Christmas 1980 and raced down to that shop to buy the cassette of Signing Off, UB40's first album as I had been a fan since the first time I heard Food for Thought. I still am a huge fan of them and have seen them live many, many times. The other one was a song that clubbers of the early to mid 80's will remember well, it was called Kiss Me by Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy. I tried everywhere to get the 12" of this record, and mentioned it in the shop one Saturday, I'll order it for you the assistant said and the next week if was there waiting for me, I raced home that day and it didn't come off my stereo for weeks.
I lived just over the border in Bearwood, where we had Woolies and two independent record shops, Pied Piper at the top of Poplar Road, which closed down around 1979/80 and one on Sandon Road where I would spend hours going through the boxes of singles finding ones to add to my collection. I remember especially buying two records from there, I had some money for Christmas 1980 and raced down to that shop to buy the cassette of Signing Off, UB40's first album as I had been a fan since the first time I heard Food for Thought. I still am a huge fan of them and have seen them live many, many times. The other one was a song that clubbers of the early to mid 80's will remember well, it was called Kiss Me by Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy. I tried everywhere to get the 12" of this record, and mentioned it in the shop one Saturday, I'll order it for you the assistant said and the next week if was there waiting for me, I raced home that day and it didn't come off my stereo for weeks.
lmr3103
master brummie
Great memories SmethwickGirl. I think we were all obsessed with “Kiss me” at that time... if I went into my fave club, Boogies, and it was playing I knew I was in for a good night!! It was very much a Brummie song. Lynn.
SmethwickGirl
Boing Boing!!
Same here Lynn and thank you for the nice comments.
If I went into Faces which was my favourite club and it was played, it always ended up being a good night, don't know why, it just made me feel happy.
I agree it was very much a Brummie club song, there was also another song very like it around at the same time called Welcome to the Monkey House and I can't remember who that was by, but I know if both songs were played, we were straight on the dance floor. Great times, wouldn't have missed them for anything.
lmr3103
master brummie
Funny you should say that, I was going to say the other song I loved was Monkey House by Animal Magnet!! Me and my friend had a special dance for that, I can remember our feet (in our pointed shoes bought from the Oasis market) doing the moves!
Yes, very happy days.Lynn.
SmethwickGirl
Boing Boing!!
Funny you should say that, I was going to say the other song I loved was Monkey House by Animal Magnet!! Me and my friend had a special dance for that, I can remember our feet (in our pointed shoes bought from the Oasis market) doing the moves!
Lynn.
Yes, we had a special dance to it as well, sort of going backwards and forwards standing facing your mate, I used to be big headed and spin round while doing the dance and my mate Tina used to moan at me and call me a big head!
Happy, happy days
lmr3103
master brummie
That made me laugh SmethwickGirl, that was exactly the dance we did!! And yes I too thought I was the Bees knees when I was doing it! You don't think it's ever going to end do you? And now nearly 40 years later...where did those days go
Lynn.
Heidibutler
New Member
My mum worked in the record department in Rackhams and before that in Walker Brothers, she then went to London to work in a record store in Kings Roaf