The in-depth history of the rise, fall and rise of the independent record shop in the UK.

With foreword by Stewart Lee

Travelling the length and breadth of the UK, Garth Cartwright conducted 100+ interviews with many record shop pioneers, noted musicians and record collectors. Utilising comprehensive research, Cartwright traces record retail history across a century of unprecedented social, cultural and political change.

Never before published research documents how a young Bob Dylan records in the basement of a Soho shop while David Bowie, Dusty Springfield, Elton John, Danny Baker and Pete Burns all first entered the music industry via working in record shops. Here friendships were forged, knowledge shared, bands formed and history shaped.