If HMV stores disappear from the High Street it will mean the extinction of the High Street chains where most bought their first music. The likely demise of HMV, the last major music retailer on the high street, is a sad reminder for those who began buying music in the 70's 80s or 90s that life will never be the same. Browsing at the racks and deciding on your format - vinyl for the artwork, tape for convenience, CD if you were rich (oneforthebristolcity). My first record bought was Peaches by the Stranglers on 7 inch at Virgin in 78? My first vinyl LP was Drums and Wires XTC in 79?, first CD.. Crowded House in 1989'ish. In my memories nothing felt better than playing your LP and looking at the great artwork on the cover. Does anyone else have similar memories?
School car boot sale bon jovi slippery when wet on vinyl Shop would be virgin s club 7 7 oh how I have learnt the errors of my way
First album which I bought for myself, rather than ones that were given as Birthday or Xmas presents was Ride A White Swan by T-Rex on the MFP (Music For Pleasure) label in 1972 First single I remember buying for myself was Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black by Mungo Jerry
First album that I bought was AC/DC "if you want blood you got it" from WHS in Gloucester. I can remember when I was really young having stuff like Showaddywaddy Gary Glitter and crap like that. I can remember my grandad taking me to Woolworths in Chepstow to get Stranglers "No more hero's" album at letting me play it, there was some mild swearing like **** in a song so I had to take it back. But looking at Wiki those albums were 1977 and I would of been 11 then so I suspect I had more before that, just can't remember.
you've missed out on holding and admiring some great art work Brett, you should check out the cover of London calling by the Clash please log in to view this image
I have got quite a few CD's that I have for the car. Mainly RnB, Club and Dupbstep. The CD covers on them are pretty good. please log in to view this image
The first record I bought was from a shop round the corner, for 49p. It was called, naturally, "The Bristol Stomp" by The Late Show. I bet nobody remembers it. I still have it. "Kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol, When they do the Bristol Stomp". Of course I can only confess this here. But I was always impressed by anything in the wider domain that mentioned the name Bristol. Please note it was in 1979 and not the original version from 1961.
First single I can remember buying was 'Mr Blue Sky' by ELO. -- shame on me.. First album was One step Beyond by Madness -- would still buy it again! all bought from Woolworths in Knowle shopping centre..
The LP "Homecoming" by America in 1972. Bought it from a little music shop near to what is now the Bristol fashion pub in the Haymarket. The shop was at the bottom of some steps leading to the old bus station. Can't remember it's name, but from what I can recall, it was a really dingey, but atmospheric place. The pedestrian bit in the middle of the roundabout was affectionately known by some as the "bear pit" (it might still be for I know!) because of the number of "undesirable" characters who frequented the place! The last time I visited an HMV store was just before Christmas; I wanted to buy some compliation thing as a present but when I saw the length of the queue to pay I just couldn't be bothered - at least you don't get that sort of problem with tinternet!
Was it Go Buddy go on reverse of Peaches?? What a great single! As for being rich to buy CDs, they wern't invented when I first started buying records!! (by the way. I'm far from being rich) I did have a Cassette player in 1972 though (was that being rich?!!!! Sad I know, but the first single I accutally bought with my own money was Knock three times by Dawn..........god that was ****!!......I did move on to Led Zepplin & Hawkwind though!!!!!
I remember it well Reliant !! I bought Up The Junction by Squeeze in there, and it was on pale purple vinyl ! There was also a shop called Devon Savouries located there (fantastic pies, pasties, sausage rolls etc) and a chemisty sort of place, and a funky clothes shop too... Did The Homecoming have Horse With No Name on it ?
Hello Angelic - no it didn't. Again from what I can remember both the single and LP came out about the same time so I assumed it would be on it. As I loved the single and was just getting into music having bought a "Prinzsound" music centre from the equivalent of Dixons in Broadmead, I bought the LP without even looking at the play list. I bought the single separately a couple of weeks later. As far as I know, Horse With No Name only ever appeared on their Greatest Hits compilations.
Thanks Reliant I have recently got Horse With No Name (one of my all time favourite songs!) on a compilation album called Made In America that I downloaded to my I-Pod. It's a live version and is note perfect
...as far as the funky clothes shop is concerned, I'm pretty sure I bought my first pair of loons there after I'd gone through my "suede-head" period!
I know I'm getting off thread a bit here so this is the last I will say about America. I love the Janet Jackson single "Someone to call my lover" as it has the guitar riff from Ventura Highway!
yes it was called a 'double A side single', but Go Buddy go didn't really get the recognition it deserved. As I was a Christmas baby I had joint Christmas/Birthday pressies and one year given a tape recorder that I used to record top of the pops on Christmas day, but it also included doors banging people talking and mer saying Ssshhh I'm recording!
late 70's early 80's I would catch a bus from the sticks (Midsomer Norton) and travel into the scary big city of Bristol just to go shopping in the most coolest shop in the world 'Heroes' where I would buy my punk gear!
I remember those days well.....Ha ha , Microphone on a stoll next to the speaker Sunday teatime!! trying to cutout the DJ in beteween...(Alan Freeman anyone?)
