Rock On Stall

Well... I remember buying records off a fresh-faced and friendly Irishman with sticking out ears and bad teeth called Shane at the Rock On stall in Soho Square. He had a band called The Nips and he convinced me to buy their self-financed single: "Gabrielle". I didn't regret it. All the specialist record shops seemed to be run by Irishmen in those days (1977-79). I remember one refusing to serve me because I said I liked Steve Winwood's voice better than Van Morrison's. Comment: Adam Blake

The Soho Rock On stall was another regular haunt of mine! And the original Vinyl Solution shop. I bought my import copy of the first Modern Lovers LP from Beggars in Ealing - in fact I traded some of my older brother's LPs in for it. He wasn't best pleased. Comment:John Stapleton

Name Mike Spenser Comment There were actually 2 Rock On stalls in Soho market. There was the first one in the centre of the market where I first met Ted and Roger in February 1975 and then it moved to the outskirts of the market just opposite the street that was the edge of Chinatown. The pub opposite was where I used to drink with Joe Strummer during his 101er's days and my ex-Count Bishop days. It was in the later stall that I used to sit with Shane McGowan and drop acid and take the piss out of all the passersby!

Andy Cameraguy‏ @acameraguy1

Memories. I used to hang out at the Rock On stall a lot back in the 70s when #ShaneMcGowan worked there. I owe my music taste to those guys. (May 27, 2017)

"The Rocker" by Thin Lizzy

I am your main man if you're looking for trouble
I'll take no lip 'cause no ones tougher than me
If I kicked your face you'd soon be seeing double
Hey little girl, keep your hands off me 'cause I'm a rocker

I love to rock and roll
I get my records from the Rock On stall
Sweet rock and roll
Teddy boy, he's got them all

Down at the juke joint me and the boys were stompin'
Bippin' an a boppin', telling a dirty joke or two
In walked this chick and I knew she was up to something
I kissed her right there out of the blue

I said "Hey baby, meet me I'm a tough guy"
Got my cycle outside, you wanna try?
She just looked at me and rolled them big eyes
And said "Ooh I'd do anything for you 'cause you're a rocker"

That's right I'm a rocker

I love to rock and roll
I get my records from the Rock On stall
Sweet rock and roll
Teddy boy, he's got them all

R.D.