For the record
A TALK will be given at a music quiz to raise money for Sylvans Sports Club and the MS Society later this month by author and record shop aficionado Graham Jones.
Jones is the co-founder of Proper Music Distribution, he managed cult Liverpool band The Cherry Boys, which featured island resident and former Las guitarist John Byrne, and has spent 32 years travelling the UK selling to independent record shops. Following the closure of hundreds of record shops, and concerned about their demise, Jones toured the UK to interview the owners and staff of 50 record shops and document their tales for his book Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened to Record Shops?
A film documentary based on the book featured appearances by musicians such as Paul Weller and Johnny Marr and has been repeated on Sky TV numerous times.
Somewhat ironically, Jones’ latest book, to be released next month, is practically a volte-face to Last Shop Standing. The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it Happen is, as the title suggests, about the resurgence in sales of vinyl. The book also includes a guide to independent record shops in the UK that sell new vinyl. The project took longer than expected due to so many new record shops opening.
Over the years, Liverpudlian Jones, who now resides in Hampshire, has collected a vast number of stories and anecdotes. He related the best of them in his second book, Strange Requests and Comic Tales from Record Shops, stories that will no doubt feature during his talk at next month’s music quiz.
Further information about Graham and his work can be found at www.lastshopstanding.com.
The Proper Music Quiz takes place on Saturday 29 September at Sylvans Sports Club, starting at 7pm sharp. The quiz will feature music bridging the years.
The cost is £72 per table of up to six people. Price includes sausage/chips or veggie spring roll/chips.
Demand will be high for this event and space is limited. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first-served basis. Tables can be booked by emailing Geoff Chapman at geoffandsuechapman@yahoo.co.uk. They must be paid for within one week of that and menu choices submitted or they will be resold. Cheques payable to Sylvans Sports Club please. Proceeds for the event will be shared between Sylvans Sports Club and the Guernsey Branch of the MS Society.
