Collectors Record Shop

Collectors Records was run by a chap-an ex-Teddy Boy,I always assumed,or a 50's Rock n Roll fan at the very least-by the name of Ray Wilks and opened around 1975 or thereabouts.I used to go in there when I first started buying records in 76'/77' and there were always a few Teddy Boys hanging around inside and outside the shop(the then ubiquitous 70's Teds that have been disgracefully airbrushed out of UK social history by the middle-class, middle aged ex-Punks who run the media(the BBC in particular) and publishing) Another local-to me-shop that Teddy Boys frequented was good old Rockin' Records in Penge.Anyway, Collectors Records sold mainly secondhand records of all types(not just RnR.I remember they had a copy of The Who My Genration original Brunswick LP in the window in the late 70's-£10,I think it was!!) but new release chart single and LP's,too. It became more of a general shop later on towards the end(I did have an earlier 45 sleeve when it was just' Collectors Records' but can't find it at present) it sold s/h books and household goods etc. It moved up the road to Brockley Rise and was renamed Hot Wax c.1980. I bought quite a few Soul 45's from here,they were fairly cheap-the best was a copy of Ray Charles'rare Northern Soul classic 'I Don't Need No Doctor' on UK HMV from the 25p cheap box outside! I also bought James Brown 'Excitement' Pye Int. LP for just a few quid when I was first getting into Soul at 16/17.It had 'Shout& Shimmy' on it,which really knocked me out! Hot Wax became a video shop,I think before closing in the late 80's.   Comment: Michael Vinner.

Aaah the memories of waiting for 1 no 171 bus from Harringay all the way over to Forest Hill back in the day. Some two hours each way I seem to recall. By the time I'd got there it was almost time to get the bus back!! Should've spent more time sorting through all the electic stock.  Comment: Lynne Brodie.

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