Re: Record Shopsby Jude ยป Tue Jul 07, 2015 5:14 pm
HMV, Woolworth's, Boots and WH Smiths were all places you could buy fairly odd records, it depended on the managers of the shops and their level of interests in what they were selling. Plus there was Musicland where my late husband Simon worked and who, I think, were behind the shop he set up in Portobello Road, 'Simon's Stable', where the most esoteric and strange imports were to be found. And at the same time most of the rock musicians and industry people would congregate to listen and buy new music from him. Alvin Lee, Marc Bolan, BP Fallon, Quintessence, the Floyd and many more were all customers and many became friends, because he had such weird and wonderful records to play. Not sure it ever made much of a profit though :-) At least so I am told.., I didn't meet him till later
Simon Stable's eponymous label which was based in Portobello.
A viewier to the recent Portobello Beat exhibition an old lady comment that Simon was lovely man plus Jimi Hendrix as they seemed to be the only men in the area who did not make a pass at her as fifteen year old girl. He recommened Ornette Colemn to me. (2024)
