Daddy Kool
I visited from the Dean Street days (certainly from about `86) to the Berwick Street addresses (two I believe) until it closed in 2003. It was originally in the street level shop but moved into the basement. There were many counter staff who passed through over the years, with Kev being the last. He pestered me continuously for my copy of Enos and Sheila's 'La Bamba' on Blue Cat, and I finally relented and sold it to him. I later heard that having worked his way through a long list of rare Rock Steady wants, he sold his entire collection. Keith later opened a shop in Walthamstow's Wood Street market, which lasted for a few years. His son Luke still sells on e-bay (I think as 'shuke')but I'm not sure whether Keith is still involved. Comment: Mark Griffiths.
(Sept 11, 2014) Anonymous said:Brilliant when I first went in there as a kid there was dreads smoking weed in cones made out of brown paper it looked like they had a bonfire on there shoulders,quite intimidating but I got in there and heard a lot of music
(Sept 11, 2014) Anonymous said:Barney
(July 19, 2013) Bev said:Oh and I am female (a rarity it seems...)
(July 19, 2013) Bev said:Yeah I remember this shop. I worked close by between about 1977 and 1982. I think the guys drank in nearby Bath House?
(June 7, 2013) Robert S. said:Daddy Kool Records had various incarnations either side of Oxford Street beginning in the early 70s. I only knew the Berwick Street shop which had been at that address since the 80s (I could be wrong) and was the last. The shop was originally at street level and the space filled with racks jammed with new and secondhand reggae albums and 12inches, and tatty dividers indicating the contents of the section: '80s Digital' 'Ska Comps' 'Roots LPs' 'Rare 12s' and so on - all written in large coloured magic marker letters presumably by owner Keith Stone.
Expensive, collectable albums yellowed on the walls and the counter boxes contained hundreds of Jamaican 45s where affordable treasures could be found. There were cardboard boxes everywhere brimming with records. The shop had an undecorated, DIY feel - patches of damp cardboard on the floor and strip lighting above but could be really bustling, like the fruit and veg market outside and general pavement traffic. I first visited in the early 90s when I was beginning to get into Jamaican music after moving to Hackney. I found the place fascinating and quite intimidating - it wasn't just the volume of bass coming at you from the shop system, but the sleazy, 'you can get what you want here' vibe that was all over Soho back then, even though the merchandise on offer was vinyl instead of porn. Many of the customers were types that seem to have vanished from central London now - middle-aged hipsters, reggae-mad cabbies, old mates of Keith's, sound system guys and god knows who else. Females...no.
Keith was a massive figure on the London reggae scene and was also a blues boffin. His reputation for grumpiness was just, and he could be hilariously rude to customers, but that never bothered me. I once asked him to play a stack of records without realising he'd just jammed his finger in a door hinge... on realising I braced myself for the worst, but with bloody nail hanging off he obliged..wincing and using one hand! There was also a nice guy with a shaved head called Kev who worked there. He burnt me a CD of some very very rare rocksteady that I lost. The operation moved to the much cosier basement around the late 90s. You'd descend the steep stairs and get a waft of Keith's lunch - Spanish omelette and chips seemed to be a favourite. The basement retained much of the upstairs atmosphere but closed in about 2003. I think Keith sold his personal collection to Mick Hucknall.
(Sept 11, 2014) Anonymous said:Brilliant when I first went in there as a kid there was dreads smoking weed in cones made out of brown paper it looked like they had a bonfire on there shoulders,quite intimidating but I got in there and heard a lot of music
(Sept 11, 2014) Anonymous said:Barney
(July 19, 2013) Bev said:Oh and I am female (a rarity it seems...)
(July 19, 2013) Bev said:Yeah I remember this shop. I worked close by between about 1977 and 1982. I think the guys drank in nearby Bath House?
(June 7, 2013) Robert S. said:Daddy Kool Records had various incarnations either side of Oxford Street beginning in the early 70s. I only knew the Berwick Street shop which had been at that address since the 80s (I could be wrong) and was the last. The shop was originally at street level and the space filled with racks jammed with new and secondhand reggae albums and 12inches, and tatty dividers indicating the contents of the section: '80s Digital' 'Ska Comps' 'Roots LPs' 'Rare 12s' and so on - all written in large coloured magic marker letters presumably by owner Keith Stone.
Expensive, collectable albums yellowed on the walls and the counter boxes contained hundreds of Jamaican 45s where affordable treasures could be found. There were cardboard boxes everywhere brimming with records. The shop had an undecorated, DIY feel - patches of damp cardboard on the floor and strip lighting above but could be really bustling, like the fruit and veg market outside and general pavement traffic. I first visited in the early 90s when I was beginning to get into Jamaican music after moving to Hackney. I found the place fascinating and quite intimidating - it wasn't just the volume of bass coming at you from the shop system, but the sleazy, 'you can get what you want here' vibe that was all over Soho back then, even though the merchandise on offer was vinyl instead of porn. Many of the customers were types that seem to have vanished from central London now - middle-aged hipsters, reggae-mad cabbies, old mates of Keith's, sound system guys and god knows who else. Females...no.
Keith was a massive figure on the London reggae scene and was also a blues boffin. His reputation for grumpiness was just, and he could be hilariously rude to customers, but that never bothered me. I once asked him to play a stack of records without realising he'd just jammed his finger in a door hinge... on realising I braced myself for the worst, but with bloody nail hanging off he obliged..wincing and using one hand! There was also a nice guy with a shaved head called Kev who worked there. He burnt me a CD of some very very rare rocksteady that I lost. The operation moved to the much cosier basement around the late 90s. You'd descend the steep stairs and get a waft of Keith's lunch - Spanish omelette and chips seemed to be a favourite. The basement retained much of the upstairs atmosphere but closed in about 2003. I think Keith sold his personal collection to Mick Hucknall.
(March7, 2015) I went in 1978, in Hanway St, and I recall the shop with pin sharp images in my memory - Keith was at the counter and there was a moody looking dread at the side in front and I walked in I was a Hi-Fi salesman from Leicester - dressed in a suit with a smart haircut, and while many would have been intimidated - I was in heaven and just listened and observed, the speakers were concrete columns and incredible, both the Ratsa and Keith were amused when I asked for records that the way I looked would not portray my taste, I bought Dreadlocks VS Mexicano 12" Loving Pauper 12"(Ruddy T & Trinity) and about 6 pre 45's (that I just about can recall) while I waited he played African Dub chapter 3 album that had just come in, I bought that too, I have photos of me at the shop doorway with bag, I must dig out, the shop was tiny, the place was full of vinyl, and those bins were amazing - the volume was undistorted and earth shatteringly loud, Keith was pleasant that day and was happy to assist this dorky bloke in the crap suit with his Reggae records. I have one of those letter headers shown here, it is a fine memory I shall not forget. Comment: Adrian David.
(April 11, 2015) I went to all 3 locations of Daddy Kool, but I think that Hanway Street was my favourite, because it was so different to the "normal" record shops I'd been to before and it was like a first love affair. I bought loads of great records over the years in Daddy Kool. Sure Keith could be grumpy, but he'd say "hello" if he saw me in Berwick Street Market. I understood that he passed away a few years ago, but I could be wrong of course. Daddy Kool was responsible for my eternal love of reggae. Respect! Comment: James Moseley.
I found this little gem of a shop in the mid-late 80's. Straight from school worked for the DTI in High Holborn so was up Tottenham Court Road all the time. Keith was grumpy, but after a time seeing me there regular, he would start recommending to me. He would even sell me some of those under the counter gems where you had to be a true lover of the music. Diamond geezer. Comment: SIMONE BROWN.
(April 11, 2015) I went to all 3 locations of Daddy Kool, but I think that Hanway Street was my favourite, because it was so different to the "normal" record shops I'd been to before and it was like a first love affair. I bought loads of great records over the years in Daddy Kool. Sure Keith could be grumpy, but he'd say "hello" if he saw me in Berwick Street Market. I understood that he passed away a few years ago, but I could be wrong of course. Daddy Kool was responsible for my eternal love of reggae. Respect! Comment: James Moseley.
I found this little gem of a shop in the mid-late 80's. Straight from school worked for the DTI in High Holborn so was up Tottenham Court Road all the time. Keith was grumpy, but after a time seeing me there regular, he would start recommending to me. He would even sell me some of those under the counter gems where you had to be a true lover of the music. Diamond geezer. Comment: SIMONE BROWN.
Hans-Peter Vogel 1980-81
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Back in the days lock in at Daddy Kools Records — with Wayne John.
Comments on photograph posted in facebook
(Feb 13,20) Bev worked there in dean st she had a part in Babylon the film, she was the girl getting married: Comment Peter Dew.
(Feb 13,20) I remember attending one of these lockdowns with Peter and our bag of tunes and having a great time! Good days. Bless up to Wayne John,it's been years! Glad to see your still spreading the musical vibes. Comment: Neil Beaumont Mark Byer
(9April 20. 2015) Keith's son here. Nice to see the comments and I'll second any that claim he was grumpy, he was...And I'd continually berate him for the way he'd speak to customers! Just to let you all know though, he's very much alive and kicking!!
(July 10, 2015) Went in the shop when it was in Dean Street. Did feel a bit intimidated going in but I knew what I was after. 'King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown' - Agustus Pablo (correct spelling on cover) on crackly vinyl. Daddy even played a first two tracks for me. Sounded fantastic on the shop sound system. Also picked up a Bobby Ellis album and Fat-man Ridim Section album. Even got change from a tenner! Comment: Chris Clarke.
(July 26, 2015) From the age of 15 - 1977 onwards - I made regular pilgrimages to the Dean Street store. Loved it. Best purchase ever the 12" of "Rasta Train" with Dr Alimintado. Comment: Ben Ticehurst
(August 23, 2015)Keith was a top geezer. He wasn't ever rude to me and I used to frequent both the Hanway and Dean Street shops.The Dean Street shop was packed on Saturday afternoons. Girls that I was with would refuse to go in at that time,as the majority of the customers at that time, sporting their G's/Roberto Carlos/Farahs/lizards and cross, NEVER invested in deodorant. The stench was revolting. Happy days!!! Comment: Stefan
(August 7, 2015) I was co-fonder with Keith Stone of Daddy Kool, opened in October 1975. The idea was to have a central London location where you could get records from all over - like Morpheus in Croydon, Shelly in North London, Jessus & Peckins in the west, Bert at Nationwide in North London, Dip in Brockley Rise, and pre-release from the great Lasco's Music Den in Lower Clapton Road [R.I.P Bubbba]. I left - after the 'partnership' was dissolved - by Stone at the end of September 1976. Later worked for Honest Jons, Island, Trojan and Blood & Fire. Comment:Steve Barrow.
(October 14, 2015) Does anyone know if the Keith who ran daddy Kool was the Keith who John Peel often referred to as his source of reggae. I am from the www.peel.wikia.com and John often mentioned a Keith who ran a recird shop in london and he played a lot of reggae and would be Good to know if he was the one and the same...if he was I and many others owe him a huge debt as he didn't just run a record shop but introduced the music to millions of people through peel. Thanks. Comment: Mark Luetchford.
( January 1, 2016) I used to visit the Berwick Street shop around 90 / 91 when it was at street level but sometimes the basement would be open with JA 7" too. I would buy from Wayne, Keith and a white dread who was there also at that time. I was very young and shy and didn't know the record shop etiquette which paved the way for some awkward moments but they were always kind and respectful to me but maybe a little bemused by my approach. I was digging for Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty and all that digital stuff when it was mainly out of print and before it was trendy and getting re-pressed. The policy was to not play second hand stock but Wayne would allow you one or two if it was quiet. It was an intimidating place when it was busy as was the rest of Soho back then. Even in the daytime if you walked south down by Peter Street and Greens Court it started to get a bit dodgy. I remember the whole market would be shaking to the bass and you could feel it as you made your way through the crow ds. The smell was a mix of take away grease, dust, BO, ganja and rotten vegetables. That picture of the lock in with Wayne at the end of the counter is how I remember it. I remember how difficult it was to remove a 7" from that selection stapled to the wall above the counter without pulling the whole lot down and how irate they used to get about it. To the point that I was too scared to buy anything that was on display there. I remember they used write a short description on the sleeve of the second hand stuff, my favorite was "Kool Killer!" Its hard to imagine how intense it was down there if you go there now. RIP Daddy Kool, RIP Soho... Vinyl Forever. Comment: Digital Killaz.
( March 12, 2016) Used to go up town to the dean st.shop and get great tunes at give away prices in the mid 80's. I was 13 years old the first time i went coolest shop in the world, still playing those records. Comment: Jason Grove.
Dave Hamilton "Daddy Kool rocked. I miss it." (April 12, 2016)
Wayne Birthwright. "Leeds roots reggae sound men were frequent visitors to the iconic London store. Gems galore in store." (April 15, 2016).
Name Stephen Bertrand Comment: Started working on 42 Beak Street round the corner from the Dean Street Store in 1979. It was home to me during lunchtimes and evening after work where i spent countless hours sifting through stacks of records. Keith was always nice to me since it seems i was there all the time and got many treasured tunes from the store.
No one seem to mention Bobby who was also behind the counter while Keith was in the background sorting out tunes old and newly recieved items.
Bobby also used to cut Dubplates for many sound systems at the time and it is there in 1981 we got our first few dubplates (A Special for our sound at the time "SHATTERA", Kunta Kinte all cuts, Beware of Your Enemies and what turned out to be my biggest rip-off from Bobby "Tristan Palmer & Jah Thomas Entertainment dubplate which released a few weeks later). Yes, it was painful paying £40 for a dubplate that released so soon afterwards.
Daddy Kool Record shop will always have a special place in my heart for it was there I met my wife of 23yrs Marriage. It is a funny story, I was there as usual listening to the recent tunes Bobby was spinning and many guys at the counter ready to pounce for their favorites. The Shop door was opened that day due to the summer heat, suddenly all the guys turned their heads towards the door and starred for a few seconds so naturally i turned to look too. There in the doorway stood this beauty new to the area fresh from Gloucester. Being shy as hell i could never sum up the strength to speak to women but luckily enough as she made her way into the shop my friend was walking past, so i went out to speak to him. It was then that i looked in the shop and She was looking out so i beckoned her to come out, we started talking, i walked her back to her work in Tottenham Court Road and came back to the store.
Thank you Daddy Kool, because of you I found a lifetime passion for music and also found love all in the same place.
Respect and Love to Keith Stone, Friend Ron Kane and Bobby.- Livity International Sound System
Name Jan Brown Comment I used to go to the Dean Street Daddy Kools when I worked in windmill street round the corner in 1986/87. got to know the assistant in there Junior. what a cool shop. still have the records I bought there, and would love to see Junior again . Sad to know its closed down now . also used to go to Gossips next to it on Saturday nights with Dave Roddigan on the decks. good times. (Nov 18, 2016)
Name Anil Malhotra Comment: Daddy Kool was my place for dub and reggae. I lived in Watford at the time, so used to travel down by train at the age of 15 and 16, go to Camden Town, then head down to Hanway Place with my paper round earnings/pocket money. Used to be a good, cheap Hare Krishna cafe in a basement off Hanway Place north of Oxford St too.
I also remember the "exotic" odour inside the shop. After a few visits, the guys would play tracks for me and I generally found them helpful when it was clear I wasn't just a "tourist", but a fan of the music. Tracking down and finding music was a real commitment in those days, and felt much more rewarding when you found somewhere like Daddy Kool, compared to the lacklustre experience of today. ( Nov 22, 2016)
Name Pat Kelly Comment: Great memories of a wonderful time and place. Not to forget Keith's lovely daughter who's name I forget . She worked there too. I remember her dropping junior Delgado hanging tree , for some reason I said I didn't want it and she said I must be mad , so I bought it anyway. Worth a few quid now I would imagine ! (February 17, 2017)
The depth of his record box is the first thing that puts Curly B in a different league to the rest. He can draw on an endless supply of rare and brilliant tunes that few others can touch. "My record collection start from my father. When he went back to Jamaica he left me all that he had. Plus, I was always buying records, from the days of doing a paper round when we used to get fifty pence. A Jamaican '45 was fifty pence then. Straight down the record shop, Desmond Hip City in Atlantic Road, Brixton, Soferno B, Sound City, Peckings and Greensleeves in West London, Daddy Kool in the West End. All over London for my records."
Name Mr Chips Comment: Used to visit the Dean St shop almost every other Saturday through early / mid 80's. Was selecting for a Sound out of Luton and Keith was always happy to play through the latest batch of pre-releases. Jump on the GreenLine coach at Luton, get off at Marble Arch and walk down Oxford St. Nearly always the first into the shop and would hang around for ages. Happy days. (April 28, 2017)
Name Johnny Waudby Comment: Never went in person used to get a monthly box full of treasure by mail order from 86 when I was 16. Keith was like a pen pal to me and even phoned my mum once to ask if I was ok when I had been too busy to place an order. Still got all of the vinyl I bought from dean street. Keith used to highlight my wants lists with those highlighter markers . I really wish I had visited the store before it closed. beat frequency crew Bradford w Yorkshire (June 1, 2017)
Name Danny Comment: I unexpectedly bought some nice records from Keith at an antiques fair earlier this year. Can't remember what he was selling but he had a couple of boxes of LPs under the table - says he's still got about 8,000 at home. Didn't get the feeling that he misses shop life too much but he's still got a good line in stories, pithy comments and libellously funny observations about other record people. ( July 5, 2017).
(Feb 13,20) Bev worked there in dean st she had a part in Babylon the film, she was the girl getting married: Comment Peter Dew.
(Feb 13,20) I remember attending one of these lockdowns with Peter and our bag of tunes and having a great time! Good days. Bless up to Wayne John,it's been years! Glad to see your still spreading the musical vibes. Comment: Neil Beaumont Mark Byer
(9April 20. 2015) Keith's son here. Nice to see the comments and I'll second any that claim he was grumpy, he was...And I'd continually berate him for the way he'd speak to customers! Just to let you all know though, he's very much alive and kicking!!
(July 10, 2015) Went in the shop when it was in Dean Street. Did feel a bit intimidated going in but I knew what I was after. 'King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown' - Agustus Pablo (correct spelling on cover) on crackly vinyl. Daddy even played a first two tracks for me. Sounded fantastic on the shop sound system. Also picked up a Bobby Ellis album and Fat-man Ridim Section album. Even got change from a tenner! Comment: Chris Clarke.
(July 26, 2015) From the age of 15 - 1977 onwards - I made regular pilgrimages to the Dean Street store. Loved it. Best purchase ever the 12" of "Rasta Train" with Dr Alimintado. Comment: Ben Ticehurst
(August 23, 2015)Keith was a top geezer. He wasn't ever rude to me and I used to frequent both the Hanway and Dean Street shops.The Dean Street shop was packed on Saturday afternoons. Girls that I was with would refuse to go in at that time,as the majority of the customers at that time, sporting their G's/Roberto Carlos/Farahs/lizards and cross, NEVER invested in deodorant. The stench was revolting. Happy days!!! Comment: Stefan
(August 7, 2015) I was co-fonder with Keith Stone of Daddy Kool, opened in October 1975. The idea was to have a central London location where you could get records from all over - like Morpheus in Croydon, Shelly in North London, Jessus & Peckins in the west, Bert at Nationwide in North London, Dip in Brockley Rise, and pre-release from the great Lasco's Music Den in Lower Clapton Road [R.I.P Bubbba]. I left - after the 'partnership' was dissolved - by Stone at the end of September 1976. Later worked for Honest Jons, Island, Trojan and Blood & Fire. Comment:Steve Barrow.
(October 14, 2015) Does anyone know if the Keith who ran daddy Kool was the Keith who John Peel often referred to as his source of reggae. I am from the www.peel.wikia.com and John often mentioned a Keith who ran a recird shop in london and he played a lot of reggae and would be Good to know if he was the one and the same...if he was I and many others owe him a huge debt as he didn't just run a record shop but introduced the music to millions of people through peel. Thanks. Comment: Mark Luetchford.
( January 1, 2016) I used to visit the Berwick Street shop around 90 / 91 when it was at street level but sometimes the basement would be open with JA 7" too. I would buy from Wayne, Keith and a white dread who was there also at that time. I was very young and shy and didn't know the record shop etiquette which paved the way for some awkward moments but they were always kind and respectful to me but maybe a little bemused by my approach. I was digging for Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty and all that digital stuff when it was mainly out of print and before it was trendy and getting re-pressed. The policy was to not play second hand stock but Wayne would allow you one or two if it was quiet. It was an intimidating place when it was busy as was the rest of Soho back then. Even in the daytime if you walked south down by Peter Street and Greens Court it started to get a bit dodgy. I remember the whole market would be shaking to the bass and you could feel it as you made your way through the crow ds. The smell was a mix of take away grease, dust, BO, ganja and rotten vegetables. That picture of the lock in with Wayne at the end of the counter is how I remember it. I remember how difficult it was to remove a 7" from that selection stapled to the wall above the counter without pulling the whole lot down and how irate they used to get about it. To the point that I was too scared to buy anything that was on display there. I remember they used write a short description on the sleeve of the second hand stuff, my favorite was "Kool Killer!" Its hard to imagine how intense it was down there if you go there now. RIP Daddy Kool, RIP Soho... Vinyl Forever. Comment: Digital Killaz.
( March 12, 2016) Used to go up town to the dean st.shop and get great tunes at give away prices in the mid 80's. I was 13 years old the first time i went coolest shop in the world, still playing those records. Comment: Jason Grove.
Dave Hamilton "Daddy Kool rocked. I miss it." (April 12, 2016)
Wayne Birthwright. "Leeds roots reggae sound men were frequent visitors to the iconic London store. Gems galore in store." (April 15, 2016).
Name Stephen Bertrand Comment: Started working on 42 Beak Street round the corner from the Dean Street Store in 1979. It was home to me during lunchtimes and evening after work where i spent countless hours sifting through stacks of records. Keith was always nice to me since it seems i was there all the time and got many treasured tunes from the store.
No one seem to mention Bobby who was also behind the counter while Keith was in the background sorting out tunes old and newly recieved items.
Bobby also used to cut Dubplates for many sound systems at the time and it is there in 1981 we got our first few dubplates (A Special for our sound at the time "SHATTERA", Kunta Kinte all cuts, Beware of Your Enemies and what turned out to be my biggest rip-off from Bobby "Tristan Palmer & Jah Thomas Entertainment dubplate which released a few weeks later). Yes, it was painful paying £40 for a dubplate that released so soon afterwards.
Daddy Kool Record shop will always have a special place in my heart for it was there I met my wife of 23yrs Marriage. It is a funny story, I was there as usual listening to the recent tunes Bobby was spinning and many guys at the counter ready to pounce for their favorites. The Shop door was opened that day due to the summer heat, suddenly all the guys turned their heads towards the door and starred for a few seconds so naturally i turned to look too. There in the doorway stood this beauty new to the area fresh from Gloucester. Being shy as hell i could never sum up the strength to speak to women but luckily enough as she made her way into the shop my friend was walking past, so i went out to speak to him. It was then that i looked in the shop and She was looking out so i beckoned her to come out, we started talking, i walked her back to her work in Tottenham Court Road and came back to the store.
Thank you Daddy Kool, because of you I found a lifetime passion for music and also found love all in the same place.
Respect and Love to Keith Stone, Friend Ron Kane and Bobby.- Livity International Sound System
Name Jan Brown Comment I used to go to the Dean Street Daddy Kools when I worked in windmill street round the corner in 1986/87. got to know the assistant in there Junior. what a cool shop. still have the records I bought there, and would love to see Junior again . Sad to know its closed down now . also used to go to Gossips next to it on Saturday nights with Dave Roddigan on the decks. good times. (Nov 18, 2016)
Name Anil Malhotra Comment: Daddy Kool was my place for dub and reggae. I lived in Watford at the time, so used to travel down by train at the age of 15 and 16, go to Camden Town, then head down to Hanway Place with my paper round earnings/pocket money. Used to be a good, cheap Hare Krishna cafe in a basement off Hanway Place north of Oxford St too.
I also remember the "exotic" odour inside the shop. After a few visits, the guys would play tracks for me and I generally found them helpful when it was clear I wasn't just a "tourist", but a fan of the music. Tracking down and finding music was a real commitment in those days, and felt much more rewarding when you found somewhere like Daddy Kool, compared to the lacklustre experience of today. ( Nov 22, 2016)
Name Pat Kelly Comment: Great memories of a wonderful time and place. Not to forget Keith's lovely daughter who's name I forget . She worked there too. I remember her dropping junior Delgado hanging tree , for some reason I said I didn't want it and she said I must be mad , so I bought it anyway. Worth a few quid now I would imagine ! (February 17, 2017)
The depth of his record box is the first thing that puts Curly B in a different league to the rest. He can draw on an endless supply of rare and brilliant tunes that few others can touch. "My record collection start from my father. When he went back to Jamaica he left me all that he had. Plus, I was always buying records, from the days of doing a paper round when we used to get fifty pence. A Jamaican '45 was fifty pence then. Straight down the record shop, Desmond Hip City in Atlantic Road, Brixton, Soferno B, Sound City, Peckings and Greensleeves in West London, Daddy Kool in the West End. All over London for my records."
Name Mr Chips Comment: Used to visit the Dean St shop almost every other Saturday through early / mid 80's. Was selecting for a Sound out of Luton and Keith was always happy to play through the latest batch of pre-releases. Jump on the GreenLine coach at Luton, get off at Marble Arch and walk down Oxford St. Nearly always the first into the shop and would hang around for ages. Happy days. (April 28, 2017)
Name Johnny Waudby Comment: Never went in person used to get a monthly box full of treasure by mail order from 86 when I was 16. Keith was like a pen pal to me and even phoned my mum once to ask if I was ok when I had been too busy to place an order. Still got all of the vinyl I bought from dean street. Keith used to highlight my wants lists with those highlighter markers . I really wish I had visited the store before it closed. beat frequency crew Bradford w Yorkshire (June 1, 2017)
Name Danny Comment: I unexpectedly bought some nice records from Keith at an antiques fair earlier this year. Can't remember what he was selling but he had a couple of boxes of LPs under the table - says he's still got about 8,000 at home. Didn't get the feeling that he misses shop life too much but he's still got a good line in stories, pithy comments and libellously funny observations about other record people. ( July 5, 2017).
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Image Scared Records Peckham Open Saturdays
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Image Geoff Francis
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