Independent record shops

[#1]

I know we have some music lovers on here.  There was an interesting item on BBC Breakfast this morning about the demise of independent record shops.  There are only 305 left in the country now.  A sign of the times I guess
Here's the details from the website:
http://tinyurl.com/cnrtbs

[#2]

Sad isn't it artmo. Browsing round record shops was at one time one of the highlights of my life, waiting for a pair of headphones to become vacant, or a sound booth when the man behind the counter deigned to put it on a turntable (it was always a man, don't ever remember seeing a woman behind the counter) to hear the music you thought you might buy (if you could afford it)
But seriously, independent shops I would guess can't compete with online outlets. Not to mention that actual "records" whether CD's or the I understand reviving vinyl are on the decline in favour of downloading. there's something rather comforting being able to handle a 12 or 10" disk, if for no other reason being able to see what you paid for.

[#3]

Yes, what a shame it is. I was listening to a programme on the wireless a few days ago which was all about the pirate radio days.
I am sure that some of us will remember when it was quite difficult to hear popular music. We had to tune into the pirate stations. Hands up all those who used to listen to Radio Luxembourg after 7 p.m. and it used to fade out at intervals so you had to move the transistor radio about until it came back? The record shops with their booths and headphones were a real boon so you could try before you buy.
It is easy to forget those days as now we are absolutely awash with music on the Internet.
Personally, I have never been into downloading music, only having done it on 2 or 3 occasions for single pieces.
It would be hard for the younger folk who have grown up with wall to wall music to imagine the excitement of Top of The Pops and the 'Oi'l give it foive' days.

[#4]

Quote from: poppy

Hands up all those who used to listen to Radio Luxembourg after 7 p.m. ve it foive' days.

Remember: K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M Bristol? even pre-dated postcodes.

[#5]

Believe Radio Luxemboug was not a pirate radio station. Radio Luxembourg stated to transmit to the UK in 1933. Radio Caroline was a pirate station started transmitting in 1964.

[#6]

There is a film coming out starring nick frost which I think is to do with the old pirate radio stations. The off shore boats.
But yeah luxembourg wasn't pirate as far as I know, Chris Moyles started off his career as a young lad there.

[#7]

BBC Essex doing there Pirate days program again over the Easter weekend from on board ship off Harwich, you should be able to listen live via the internet.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/content/articles/2009/02/20/pirate_bbc_essex_feature.shtml

[#8]

Quote from: Petlew

Quote from: poppy Hands up all those who used to listen to Radio Luxembourg after 7 p.m. ve it foive' days. Remember: K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M Bristol? even pre-dated postcodes.

I remember it as K-E-Y-ENNA-S-H-A-EMMA, KEYNSHAM..... Brisl
...and not to mention the phasing effect throughout the transmissions.....lovely

[#9]

We had a legendary record shop in Sheffield city centre called Violet May's, sadly now closed, where allegedly you could go for any record.
If Violet didn't stock it she could get it
Link to a thread on the Sheffield History site http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=343

[#10]

I doubt vinyl will disappear as quite a few DJs still use it (and Panasonic are still selling the king of all turntables, the Technics SL1210)
While perhaps the heyday of the record shop was before my time I do agree its sad, however, I do buy my music from a couple of independent online retailers that specialise in the kind of music I like (and I mean purchasing CDs here, not downloads as I do prefer to physically own the album media myself)
So the future is online I reckon.

[#11]

Our local record shop was Andy's Records, based in Bury St Edmunds
Mentioned in this link from December 2003 about the death of record shops.
http://www.johnharris.me.uk/arch/comment/record.htm

[#12]

Though Andy's records was a chain?

[#13]

Unlike Violet May who only chain smoked

[#14]

Quote from: techguy

Panasonic are still selling the king of all turntables, the Technics SL1210)

Highly disputed Techguy. I think you'll find this has been the audiophile's preferred choice for many years

[#15]

Quote from: Euge

Chris Moyles started off his career as a young lad there.

He started off in Top Shop in Leeds, used to see him on a Saturday