Denmark Street Still Exists
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2017
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the artsy places and places of musical history need to be preserved.
I bought my 2x12 there years ago. That was fun to lug all the way home.
I'm a small retailer, though of bicycles not guitars. One of the things that the general public doesn't seem to commonly know is how mark-up works with regards to price points. Something that you pointed out that I think bears repeating.
The more expensive a thing is the smaller percentage the retailer is making from that sale. I could not survive if I only sold bicycles. I make too little in relation to how much I paid for them, and big purchases like that are far to infrequent. The thing that keeps me going is tubes, tyres, and repairs. I'm sure the same is true for guitar stores.
If you want your guitar store to survive. If you want it to be there when it's time for a new axe, because being able to actually play the instrument before you buy is still crucial, then you should be buying your small goods from that store. Sure, it's much cheaper to get picks, strings, and cables on-line, but those are the purchases that keep brick and mortar retailers afloat.
wow i had literally no idea it worked like that.i saw it as the smaller priced items being the additional earners and perhaps something to get the punters through the door with the real money being on the more expensive items. Makes you think twice about how and where you spend your money - i for one don't want to live in an Amazon only world!
Fossil: I was literally coming into the comments to say exactly the same thing!
I am not a retailer at all, although I have always dreamt of having a git store, or a record store, or a mix of the two. I used to sell Hi-fi in my youth, and we were told about what we needed to turn over each shift to get even close to our wage and commission. One TV or high end audio system would do it, but lots of batteries, cables and stands would get you closer, easier and quicker (less staff time spent selling non-expert high ticket things)
I bought my second guitar in Denmark Street, and spent a VERY enjoyable and formidable day visiting ALL of the shops looking for that _exact_ style of guitar, in the right colour, at the right price, and I knew I knew absolutely nothing of the intricacies of the guitar world at that time, having been only seriously playing for a year and having a little cash in my pocket. How scary is it to play a guitar in public when you know you are not even good enough to be called rubbish?
It would be good of Mary, if she can put a postscript to this piece, to tell everyone to visit Denmark Street (or GAK, or Andertons, or your nearest independent store of any colour) and when you do, especially if you spend time testing guitars or amps, to buy some plectrums, a box of strings, a strap, a case, a cable, a t-shirt, a music book, anything!
You could see it as 'paying' for shops like this to stay open, or you could see it as learning your trade and experimenting with the equipment and finding something cool and unique from that individual shop, even if it is just a souvenir...
Keep on Rockin'!
Fossil Fishy I
Fossil Fishy Being a tourist only visiting by plane, I always had a guilty conscience buing only small (guitar) stuff, but your comment put that in perspective :)
This is definitely how guitar shops work and one of the reasons that so many of them also offer lessons.
Denmark Street is the place of memories, coming from Liverpool I was part of the music scene, bought my sunburst Strat in '63 when I was 16, now aged 71 but still into proper music of the 60's , I have some good memories of the 60's, playing in the groups and really living in a care free time, those times will never be seen again, so sad to see how the world has turned out, the young of today have missed what life was all about. Wish I could go back in time.
It was magical seeing Mary in her 2008 performance
Great video. I worked in Denmark street from 2001 - 2010. We probably crossed paths. I still have many friends that work there. Everything you said in this video about Denmark street resonated with me. Love from Greece
Hey
I'm from Germany and I was in London with school.
One evening we were looking for a pub around Tottenham Court Road Station and walked into Denmark street and I was so happy.
My friends literally had to carry me away from there.
I loved it there and I really hope to come back there soon(with more money).
Bought at least 3 guitars in Wunjos and countless other things up and down the street. I was in Wunjos not long after finishing my A-levels back when the shop was in the middle of the street. Saw a really beautiful relic'd black strat for around £400 and bought it that same day as an effort present for a job well done, no matter what the results would be. Went round the corner to Ain't Nothin' But, the blues club just off Carnaby street and wailed on it in the blues jam that very evening - always loved that guitar. Great blues machine!
Fond memories of this street. When I lived and worked in London, myself and a few other guitar fans from the company I worked for would venture over from Euston on a Friday at lunch time and walk along Denmark St (Tin Pan Alley).
First time to the UK from Nova Scotia Aug. 2016,.........went to Denmark Street within the first two hours...awesome : )....
I saw The Spin here about 8 years ago after I found a wallet belonging to one of the band members in the Intrepid Fox. After reuniting him with his property he invited us ( my GF and I) to see his band play at this venue. We did not know this band but were intrigued and went along for the fun of seeing new music. We had a fantastic night! Those guys were awesome, playing new takes on classic 80's rock with Bon Jovi and Aerosmith influences. Our night ended at the Crobar in Soho what a night, shame it wont happen again.
I bought my first 'real' guitar from Wunjo! An Epiphone Explorer that I still adore that guitar to this today despite now owning many more guitars. Every time I go to London I always stop by Denmark Street and choose a shop to buy something from. What a place!
Bought my little Hughes & Kettner combo on Denmark St back in 2005. I still remember the trip to lug it back to my little council flat in Highbury! Denmark St was one of my regular hangouts on Saturdays, I still go back whenever I fly back but I can see it's hanging on for dear life...
12 Bar Club was amazing. Saw Sarah Gillespie there and met Chaz Jankel who was producing her album. It was a great place to hear performance and then get to meet the artists. I also saw Megson (Stu and Debbie Hannah) perform there about 2006 ish really suited their early Nu Folk style and was such a treat to see them grow from their early performances. I took my daughter to Denmark Street to buy her a ?Pedal as a birthday present. A magical place.
Hi Mary, love your vids, voice and guitar. Spent 6 weeks in the UK, Ireland last year, had a wonderful time, I grew up when British singers and bands ruled the earth. Denmark St. needs more publicity, I only found it by accident - what a truly unique place for music and guitar lovers. Long may it live!
Went to Abbey Rd. and Liverpool of course, to worship at the Beatles' shrines. The worldwide pilgrimage of Beatle fans to Liverpool is worth over 300mill. pounds per ann. to the city.
I'm sure Denmark St. could be become an iconic drawcard too, without destroying it's historical charm, good luck, cheers from Oz.
I definitely have to go to London and visit. My parents lived there for 5 years before they came to Canada!!!
Took my first trip to Denmark St last month. All staff in every shop were very welcoming and didn't try to pressure sell.
Yes, that was my finding too. I was there last week. Everyone was really friendly and relaxed. Time to chat and demo goods. Really enjoyed my visit.
I was on Denmark Street coming up too 5 years ago. Holy crap! Anyway my cousin was playing a gig in London can't remember where tho sadly. He actually broke a string on his guitar the morning of there gig. We had a short amount of time to get a new string, because we had to pick up the drummer from the train station as well. So we went to Denmark Street and it blew me away. The amount of rare, vintage, expensive, beautiful guitars was stunning. I could have spent days there. We got the string and the gig went well. Guitar/Music shops are so important. Its the hole package. Getting to know staff, picking up and playing different guitars, trying gear out, getting more knowledge about music. It becomes a home away from home. Even if you don't buy anything you always know your welcome to come back any time. When ever I'm in Cardiff I make be line for the guitar shops just because I love them. Buying something from a guitar shop is magical. I hope they never die because they are so very important to every costumer and musician.
During our last visit at London my wife and i where at wunjo-guitars and i bought an Rickenbacker 330 mapleclow and it was a dream come true for me.
Not only that they have sended the guitar home to me (austria), they also made a more than fair price. A big THANK YOU to Bob of Wunjo Guitars
I'm an American who first visited London -- and Denmark Street -- back in 2008. I went specifically to look for a Vintage Lemon Drop, the "Peter Green" guitar. I was thrilled to find one and I proudly brought it home with me. It's a budget guitar, so I didn't help anyone's bottom line too much. But that guitar has become my favorite in a collection that includes Gibsons, Fenders, and PRS. I've returned two more times to London and each time I make a point of visiting Denmark Street. Thanks for this wonderful tour!
Denmark Street? Where's Danish Pete?
he probably wandered off into another part of Soho in search of a different type of slinky G string!
I knew there was something missing!
Good Question! :) (Gotta love that guy!)
Worked at the 12 Bar Club from 1998 till it closed (behind the bar, live web streaming and the website). A fantastic place with lots of memories.
A fellow guitar addict friend (Cheers Nige!) and I were there last Thursday. I hadn't visited in almost a decade. We went in every guitar shop over the course of an afternoon and all the staff were tremendously friendly and helpful.
Extra special shout out to Shane & the guys at Hank's. I couldn't resist and bought a Peavey Destiny Custom. Had to get it shipped. Should be here tomorrow. Can't wait!
A quick follow-up. The Destiny arrived safe & sound today. Double boxed, cased and in perfect condition. Absolutely delighted with my purchase. Doubt I would have found it without that chance encounter on Denmark Street..
In Denmark St. i tried a 1966 Gibson es 125 TDC it was 1600£ but i didn’t have ti... i still love that guitar
I work just down the road from Denmark St. Go there to play some guitars every now and then. Very cool place.
As a 15 year old my guitarist older brother 'sprang' me form school to accompany him to Regent Sound Studios, where he was putting a solo on a track for a young guy related to John Lennon, time erases the details of the artist, but not the memory of hanging out all day in a very cool environment... Oh and I was back last month browsing guitars myself, great vibe still, many, many amazing instruments. The whole street is fascinating, every shop and building oozes the heritage of the music business and some of the greatest players.. Oh for a time machine.
Many fond memories of Denmark St. Always used to stop off to drool at the guitars if going up to watch a gig. Once saw a guy outside playing a Chapman Stick. In hindsight it might have been Tony Levin, but it blew my tiny mind!
Outstanding video essay. Thank you for making this.
I live in the country and I have bought 2 guitars online, but I made a valuable contact. I got a 2016 Les Paul Standard and a 2019 Gibson SG 61 reissue, and I asked if the shop I now go to online could do some basic changes to my SG before shipping it out and they did and I get calls and return them to my shop sales /tech,but If I lived close I would pick outa shop and as long as they kept making me happy I would go to it all the time
Went to Denmark Street back in 2009, had a drink in the 12 Bar Club, sad to hear it has now closed. The street is a great place to check out for all us musos.
My little story about this special place: I was in London for the first time in 2010 (to see Muse in Wembley!) and was playing the guitar for a few years back then. On one of the days during the week I wanted to visit a random guitar store, just to have been in one in London. So I googled "guitar store London", saw there was one in Soho and so I went. When I arrived, I couldn't believe my eyes, there wasn't one guitar store, but so many, neary in every house! I thought "what ist going on? That can't be normal?!" and immediately planned to look the street up on the Internet back at the Hotel. There I read all about the history, with the Stones, Beatles, Bowie etc and was again blown away by the sheer coincidence, by which I found this place! Since then I try to buy something small (mostly been there by plane) every time I visit London, but want to buy my first American Tele there someday, Graham Coxon style :) A bit later, I read the first crime Novel by J.K. Rowling, in which the main character lives on Denmark Street, and thought "this place is following me!" xD That was my little story, greetings from Frankfurt, Germany!
I played at the 12 Bar Club with my old band (Captain Blood Blood and the Sea dogs) and bought my 2nd electric guitar in Denmark Street, 17 years ago. Not as beautiful as the guitar I bought last September, Fender American Elite Tele in mystic black. I love it!
I've had that guitar intro stuck in my head for like two days.
I bought my first Les Paul from Boogies on Denmark Street in 1990. All those shops were so cool and Andys was on the corner then. And whats more they didn't laugh because I'm lefthanded. They all had the knack of getting hold of mystical stuff. Anyway I enjoyed you show very much. Thank You.
I love Denmark Street, I haven't got any major stories but one visit that will stay with me for ever is after meeting John Petrucci from Dream Theater in Camden. I then went over to Denmark street and into one of the shops and immediately picked up one of his music mans. What a day!!
Ah, Denmark St... as much a part of London's history as all the other usual tourist traps. I bought my first ever amp there (can't remember which shop, it was the mid/late 80's!); a 70W Gorilla Keyboard/Bass amp combo. I carted it onto the tube back to Victoria station, the train back to Sussex, and the mile walk home from the station!
Many years later, in 2003 or 2004, I played the 12-Bar Club with the band GEIST, I remember that crazy stage! We were a 7-piece band, and somehow got everyone up there (three of us were sat on the lip of the stage), but if you stood up you were looking at the feet of the people on the balcony; crazy! I was dead chuffed to say I'd played on the same stage as Jeff Buckley 😎
Great video Mary, brought back lots of happy memories as well as highlighting the struggle the retailers are facing.
But here's a nice anecdote to close with; I was at the Eddie Vedder gig at the Hammersmith Odeon last night, and support act Glen Hansard (check him out, he's stunningly good) told us a nice story about popping into Denmark St that very day and buying a lovely old Gibson acoustic, after having visited Dhani Harrison the previous night and getting to play George's acoustic. So, he had to go buy one the next day, and proceeded to play the next song on it ☺
I've been all over London, but I've never heard of Denmark St. - It'll definitely be a stop on my next trip!
Tiny guitar emporiums are king for me. The big retail outlets may carry all the latest gear but they're devoid of soul. I love the smell of second hand guitar shops. I love creaky floorboards, the chaotic way instruments are sometimes displayed and the general vibe of the places. How they make it pay is a mystery though but I'm glad they do.
I played in 12 Bar with my old band from Belfast, Northern Ireland back in 2006-ish. It was one of the coolest-weirdest venues that I'd ever been in. I didn't realise that it had been closed down until almost 2 years ago when I was in London visiting and tried to go for a pint. I was devastated! Such a shame!
A very cool place. As an American living in England in the early to mid 90's we would go down there to LA, LA2, The Marque etc. Maybe hit up a pub and catch an unknown band. Fell out of LA and the Keith Moon bar. Saw a guy a bit worse for wear and helped into a cab...none other than Andy Cairns of "Therapy?" Also met Krusher from "Raw Power" on the tube. Then had a "few" pints in the Keith Moon bar at LA. Memories I won't forget.
I visited Denmark Street in October 2017 while on holiday from Australia. I went through every shop. Loved it. I was invited to have a look around sixty sixty guitars as they were setting up their shop. Real nice guys and great atmosphere, and it hadn’t even opened for business yet!
A kid writes a banging song that has guitar front and center in the melody and mix. Not only does it slay the monster called Edem (EDM...) it compels thousands of girls, and then a handful of boys to leg it to Denmark shtrasssse to buy (and NOT nick) a guitar. Pref electric, with amp and some sweet analogue pedals. So wonderful is the noise that new venues spring up just to keep the kids off the streets.... Strewth!
I intend to make my first trip to the UK next year and I will certainly pay a visit to Denmark street.
Those early 1959 reissue Les Pauls are great.
Hi Mary, Liked your talk about Denmark street, I bought my first "good" Guitar in 1986 at Rose Morris, a Takamine EN20. Was back there last year and sad that Rose Morris was not the shop it was. Hugely shrunk! maybe because of the building works, I don´t know and the guys didn´t have the same passion for guitars they used to have. I found the guys at Regent sounds and at Wunjo still really helpful. I´m not much of a guitarist but love the instruments, Its so good when the guys know their stuff and are helpful and encouraging. I like what your doing with your U tube. keep on Rocking!!
When I visited London in April of last year, I made sure to wander into all the music shops on Denmark Street. Living in NYC and seeing almost all the small music shops close (or sell to the larger stores...even Manny's sold to Sam Ash), I watched the last shop on 48th Street close. Rudy's Music Stop. Now There is still a boutique Rudy's in SOHO, but it's...boutique. And it's in SOHO. There are a couple shops left, but for the most part, that era of NYC is gone. It felt great to be in the shops on Denmark Street. And I'm happy they are sticking around.
I used to take my guitar into Graham Noden's basement workshop for re-sets, re-frets and any other work.Fantastic to have my instrument worked on alongside those of top pros! And it was always like everyone knew musos were skint so you could always get a good deal!
Great video!! Love the music, the history, and the personal touches. Thanks!!!
Mary Spender, Thumb Ninja. Also, hurrah for the 12 Bar Club - I fondly remember seeing The Henry Road fitting five people onto the stage (which required more or less lifting the drummer over to his throne)!
Also, I remember coming down on the train from Oxford for a rehearsal at Enterprise Studios - made me feel like some kind of Actual Real Life Musician...
Denmark Street is a pilgrimage for me whenever I'm in London! One time back in 2006/2007 I wandered in to a store there and jammed a bit with the salesperson because it was all quiet. After a while he said "Hey you just missed Paul McCartney! He bought a mandolin!" I was pretty gobsmacked. Fast forward some months and I read an interview with him talking about his song "Dance Tonight" - inspired by that very same mandolin.
Pro tip: If you're heading to Denmark Street, swing by Monmouth Coffee Company just a couple streets away. Best coffee ever IMO!
Yay! We played the 12-bar when we were young and cool and had a band (ccbaxter, we were called - still available on bandcamp...). Yes, that stage was weird to play on, you could just see the tops of people's heads below and people's knees above. Ah, the old days Georgie.
I was on Denmark Street this past Spring, and while I wasn't overly impressed with the selection available in all the stores there, I did find the staff at Hank's and Wungo's quite friendly and I ended up buying a new guitar at Wungo's. I could have bought that guitar online, but I really liked the in-person shopping experience. BTW, I also visited Anderton's and found both the selection and staff superb.
I love Hanks. I travelled from Dundee to go there. I sat where you sat! Took my daughter. Loved this video so much. Must have missed you there by a few days only! P
Well put Mary! With guitar tuition being a part of my career, I'm also seeing parents happy to spend on not only the students first budget guitar, but on 2nd and 3rd upgrades online. With build quality being more consistent than it's ever been at any price point, parents would rather save a precious Saturday travelling to, and walking round endless guitar shops, and break out the laptop instead. I think that this mentality is the biggest killer for music shops. That and the online prices. Sorry I don't have any suggestions, and feel for the future of guitar shops. Only fairly recently, my favourite London based guitar shop, Chandler guitars in Kew closed. Open since the sixties,I felt really sad when I heard the news. Bought many guitars and amps from that place. Used the workshop for mods and repaired too since the eighties. Nice people in that place, they'll be greatly missed.
Vary well presented and informative, Mary. You obviously put a lot of time and effort into this and it shows as does your passion and love for Denmark St. Going to download "Denmark Street" now!
We have been facing the same big trouble here in Istanbul for about 15 years. Yes, unfortunately they are changing the silhouette of the cities and erasing our memories in order to get unearned income. Saddled dirty politicians and their dirty partisans making money from reconstruction business. Sadly the world is round and money is money everywhere...
P.S. I love your music, channel & Tuesday Talks. Keep up the good work :)
:(
Back in '69 when I started my guitar buying adventures Denmark Street was a bit of an afterthought. All the nice stuff was on Shaftesbury Ave with Rose Morris (Gibson) and Sound City (Fender) both being there. I seem to recall Macari's having two shops on Charing Cross Road though I may be wrong. I know Orange had a shop in a little side street that doesn't exist anymore (where Macari's is now, on the corner). I bought my Strat from a shop opposite Sound City called Take Five and the guy who served me could not have been nicer. In fact he's probably the most pleasant salesman I've dealt with in that area in the last 48 years..Hahahaha
Great video. I was in Denmark street a month ago, the shops are open, the staff all really friendly and helpful. Bought some guitar knobs and picks and oogled the Gibson Harp Guitar....... When i used to work in London I went there all the time, i bought my first proper Strat in Soho Soundhouse, and then later on bought some Kinsmans pickups for it. A magical area of London. Happy to see it getting positive publicity, Nice one Mary.
P.S. you may be able to shop on line now, but you'll never replace holding and playing a guitar before you buy it.
I definitely fell in love with your musicality 🤗
Just ordered your two CDs! Wish you all the best for your career 🤘
that's my favourite song of yours I've heard so far, lovely stuff Mary
Great Video Mary, keep up the good work
I was there a couple of weeks ago. Splendid place
Max Scardanelli oh boy
Hi Mary, love you channel. I have recently visited Denmark Street, to get guitars set correctly. Despite being very amateure on guitar the guys an Noden guitars where very helpful and accomodating eventhough there was refurbishments taking place in the building. They were very professional & a privalage to work with. I highly recommend them. A good experience. KH🇮🇪
Yep bought my Jeff Beck Strat from Denmark Street back in 2000 and more recently bought a Les Paul Junior from Macaries (the owner is super friendly and has great stories about the history of his shop and how it became a Marshall dealer)
Thank you for that Mary. What a wonderful mini documentary. That's an amazing part of history with so much richness in it. I'll get to London one day. It's a dream vacation of mine. Thank you again for painting such a vivid picture. Have a wonderful day.
Lots of great info, thanks, Great vlog.
I bought my guitar from Wunjo Guitars on Denmark Street. I was studying in London at the time, and I decided to buy my guitar from there because I heard it was world-famous.
That Albert Lee model sounded great!
I was in London earlier this year for work and had some time to kill so decided to go to Jimi Hendix's flat on Brook Street (which was great) and then i took a walk down to Denmark street to ogle at some beautiful guitars. I had a bit more time left so decided to walk through Soho on the way to catching my tube and I (almost literally) bumped into JIMMY PAGE who was walking down Old Compton street on his own. Open mouthed and too starstruck to say hello I followed / stalked him from a distance and tried to subtly take a couple of pictures before he crossed Charing Cross road and went about his business. Suffice to say it was a good day!!
Hey Mary, I like your channel a lot. Here is a true story about Denmark street that I would like to share with you. I once bought an Epiphone Sheraton over there, in a tiny guitar repair shop located on the first floor. Back then, I was working as a French language assistant so I couldn't really buy it cash. So, the guy at the shop offered to pay it by installments. I would then go to that shop every month to pay for the guitar and the salesman would let me rock the Epiphone for a while. Now, it's one of my favourite guitar in my collection since it reminds me of my "London year" every time I play it. As an aside, if you happen to visit Paris, you should definitely go to Pigalle, rue de Douai , which is a great counterpart of Denmark street. Kisses, from France
Have to say i thoroughly enjoyed this video you made. I first got my guitar a 1979 Ovation Legend from Hanks all those years back. I have since sold her with regret as it was an Ovation Custom Legend, but sadly the pickup gave in after playing pro and solo with her for over 30 yers.Denmark street is still my weekly visit as i still play 6 days a week in London and have recently purchased a Godin nylon string from Wunjo and my Martin OMJM from Martin.I absolutely love the nostalgia of the Street and daily its starting to look a little better and finally the dust has fallen from a lot of the guitars. Thank you Mary for doing this video so informative and just love your work, would love to connect one day.
I've not been there for over five years. Would like to be there again.
I know now where to go next time I visit London. Nice video, Awesome guitar playing, and I love your voice.... even when you only talk!!
I think the first guitar I ever lusted after was something I saw in a window in Denmark Street, a Yamaha SG5A " Flying Samurai" in sunburst. I didn't even play guitar then, but I just wanted it. A few years ago, I finally bought one on Ebay.
Looks like a cool place! If I ever make it to London I will definitely want to check it out.
Hi Mary, I recently found your channel through Anderton's, and I have really enjoyed the music you make, especially Stars and Stripes(it's been stuck in my head for about week). Keep up the good work!
Like you said: shops on high streets can't compete with online retail. Ironically, I think that guitar shops in locales like Denmark Street will be the last men standing as more stores across the country close down. Independent businesses of all types are being pushed out by large chains who can afford the rent. So many High Streets are losing their character. It just seems to be coffee shops, charity shops, boots, poundland and Primark now.
Its sad,that alot of musical shops are closing not just in denmark but anywhere in the world. While fashion boutiques became in demand nowadays. All about fashion nowadays and alot of people have forgotten talent.
Love the love you are giving my most favourite street on the planet!
Thanks for this fascinating slice of London.
Hi Mary, I bought my first genuine Gibson Les Paul goldtop at the not long opened Orange Shop on Denmark St in the spring of 1975. As I made my way from Euston to Denmark Street I vividly recall passing the most beautiful girl in a sky blue outfit from hat to shoes (or from her head to her feet as Paul Rogers would have it) and thinking you just wouldn't see a girl like that back home, never mind that I was newly married to my own adventurous young blonde goddess.
But I was on a guitar hunt so no diversions were required, and the Melody Maker ad was in my pocket and calling out to be acted upon. In my supposed sophistication and ignorance (and reliance on printed media) for cultural input at the start of the '70s, I sort of assumed it was a gallic 'Les Paul', as in 'Les Miserables' until my mum (bless her) put me straight with her Les Paul and Mary Ford records from the '50s.
As I later discovered, the guitar I had selected was originally a '59 Junior (with green undercoat) that a previous owner had installed full sized humbuckers on, but that was fine by me. Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff had big humbuckers on their guitars too, so what was there to complain about? It sounded monster and looked great, even with a missing pickguard, which everybody who was anybody removed anyway back then. In those days (1975) few knew anything about vintage. Hell, Marc Bolan had an interview where he claimed his Les Paul was a 1947 model!
As it happened the then blue meaney tory government (they've blighted our lives for decades) had just increased VAT to 25% effective that month which meant when I rocked up at 9.00 a.m. on a Saturday morning off the overnight boat-train from Belfast, I was very many pounds short of the price of the guitar. But bless the sympathetic guitar hippie who was dealing with me, when I reached into my sock and said it's not the £100 extra you want, but it's my £20 to get home, he folded and sold me the guitar. That Les Paul saw me through many bar band local gigs all over Northern Ireland, and later a move to London where we were a small part of the mid-70s Pub Rock scene without making any lasting splash.
Unfortunately my goldtop was stolen in a burglary about 1978, (along with my mum's Les Paul and Mary Ford shellacs) and needed to be urgently replaced by a '74 Tobacco burst LP Standard for a European Tour whose management promises didn't quite match the management reality. It's a nice enough guitar, but I'd rather have had my butchered goldtop and have since migrated to my 1976 maple neck, tilt-neck Strat. Ironically it's alleged to be the worst version of Strat satan ever devised. But I had it set up in the basement of Rod Argent's Denmark Street shop around 1980 and 39 years later it's still as beautiful sounding and stable as the Rock of Gibraltar, even with the bog-standard Fender trem. unit .
Meanwhile my son has played Belfast's Waterfront Hall with my trusty old (to him) Les Paul Standard, so it's history is not yet over.
such a great video, pleasure to watch
Wow. What a place to be. Definitely topping the bucket list. Brilliant video Mary!
I think to preserve the culture, the street needs to be heritage listed. To neglect such a large part of, not only English, but musical history is blasphemous!!!
I would love to visit London one day..such an inspiring place musically.
Sounds like a place I went to when I made a special London trip looking for guitars.....also learned the difference between the pound and the dollar as well as found the mc donalds in London and bought the first gold big mac
Hi Mary, I was in Denmark St just a week ago and noted how much had changed since my school days in the 70s when I was up there every weekend. I bought my first Gibson (a Les Paul Deluxe) from Macaris in 1973 when it was located further down Charing Cross Rd. The loss of the Astoria is a great shame. So many fantastic gigs. I saw Steve Vai twice there.
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I recently went back to Denmark street a couple weeks back after not having been for about a year (despite going to uni only a tube stop away) and was surprised by how Wunjo had shrunk significantly. It is a real shame!! I currently have my eye on the Music Man Stingrays that they have in Regent Sound, which had such a nice neck profile for my hands, and hope to be making a return trip when I can afford one.
Cool video and hopefully it will contribute to dispelling the myth that they are closing. The people on Denmark St are lovely and just going and talk to the people in the shops about guitars is so much fun!!
another factor in guitar shops is that some guitars are on a sale or return basis and belong to customer so the guitar shop might only get 20% of the sale
Mary - brill vid , thanks so much for making the effort. love this street - was concerned when I heard rumours. Used to visit it regularly when I was at Uni there and bought my first lovely strat there 25 years ago :-)
Great, informative video. Hope I can visit the next time I'm in London.
You have your own style of guitar 🎸 playing , keep it up , also l love your videos !
Your UA-cam channel is really great, you deserve way more subscribers.
I plan to visit London and likely other parts of England late this summer or maybe next spring. Denmark St. is definitely on the list, for historical reasons if nothing else. I was there as a little boy. Summer of 1967, no less! (Hardly remember a thing about it…too young to appreciate.)
The Astoria :’( I remember it well... I have bought a fair amount of guitars on Denmark st. Got my simon&patric 12string from Hanks, got my Maiden Strat from Rockers. I also have a 5string acoustic bass and drednaught body 6string I picked up from there among others. I really miss Argents where as a kid I would go and pick up sheet music of my favourite albums and how I’d move up from floor to floor of rose morris, trying out all the instruments. When I was a bit older I worked for soho soundhouse, the guitar section of turnkey, a large multi storey music store just round the corner from Denmark st... many great memories of that place...☺️
It's the same in NYC with 48th Street... all the stores are gone!!! Mannys, Alex's, Rudys, SamAsh etc...it was a candy store for musical instruments. Sam Ash an rudys are left scattered around the city. Sad!!!
Really-really liked how you say different tone variations of tuesday talks hehe 😍😍😘😘
I did, I did, I did, I bought my first Epiphone Les Paul @ Rose Morris and my first 12 string Takamine further down in Denmark Street, love your videos and the way they're presented, keep up the good work! Subscribed!
I really enjoyed that, great bit of musical history. I've not been there since I was a teenager. Your absolutely right though, magical place. Thanks!
Great little video I worked in that area in my youth.
Great Article Mary!! I visited the street in May before going off to see Eric Clapton at the RAH. Love the place!