Rock Memorabilia Found

Adman · Post by **Adman** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 2:40 pm

Hello there!I’m looking for any information or recollections that anyone may have regarding a record shop or musical instrument retailers that ‘may’ have once been situated on Merrion Street in Leeds.In around 1979/80, I was walking up from Brigate and turned left onto Merrion St. As I passed a parade of empty, derelict shops on the right hand side, I noticed a large b&w photographic panel through one of the shop windows. The panel featured Pete Townshend, the guitarist from The Who. After making further enquires, I was directed to Leeds City Council who in turn gave me the keys and permission to remove the panel. Although I have researched and made many enquires with original Who fans and published historians of band, no direct information seems to be available as to its origin or purpose. Consensus has it, that it must have been made as some kind of one-off promotional display. If used by a record shop or a musical instrument retailer, the panel would have been especially made, as no such promotional panel has ever been produced by The Who’s record label etc. However, a fellow Who fan who actually worked for the band during the mid to late 60s contacted me. His recollection suggested The Who’s manager had 4 b&w panels made in around 66/67, featuring each individual member of the band. The panels were then placed within the foyers of the venues the band subsequently played. Although I have no reason to doubt this information, I have as yet to be able to collaborate his story.The panel has been professionally made and is printed directly onto a hardboard backing. I believe the panel to be of the same age as the photograph, which in turn was taken by the famous photographer Colin Jones in 1966.I would appreciate ‘any’ information regarding this mystery. They say if you can remember the 60’s then you weren’t really there. I’m hoping that someone can. What was this panel doing in a derelict shop in middle of Leeds? Was there a record / music shop there between 1966-79? As a real long shot… The Who played Leeds 7 times within the time frame of 1966-70. Did anyone go to these gigs and if so, can they recall seeing such panels at these gigs? It’s a mystery that I would really like to get to the bottom of.Thank you very much for your time.

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 3:13 pm

leodis has a photo of Balmforth's Music Shop on Merrion Street.http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 6_73087710

jan8 · Post by **jan8** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 6:07 pm

Jumbo Records were in the Merrion Centre around that time, down the georgian arcade. They are now in the St Johns Centre, so more info may be gleaned from there.

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 7:26 pm

Its not like Leeds city council to give you permission to go and take things from property,you want to be careful someone who actually owns it might see it and sak for it back if its worth owt!So what did you say to LCC " ive just walked past this shop and there's a lovely picture of Pete Townsend i fancy, so give us the keys and il go get it" lolhere phill you want to try it next time you find a decent urbex project

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 9:24 pm

Brandy wrote: Its not like Leeds city council to give you permission to go and take things from property,you want to be careful someone who actually owns it might see it and sak for it back if its worth owt!So what did you say to LCC " ive just walked past this shop and there's a lovely picture of Pete Townsend i fancy, so give us the keys and il go get it" lolhere phill you want to try it next time you find a decent urbex project (He does Brandy )

Adman · Post by **Adman** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 9:36 pm

Thanks Geordie-exile and Jan8 for the info. A quick Google around seems to suggest that both Balmforths Music and Jumbo Records shared the very same address at one time or another. However, 31 Merrion St appears to be just on the left hand side after turning left off Brigate. The panel I retrieved was from a shop on the right hand side. Still, thanks again as it's certainly worth further investigation. Brandy, I missed out the part where I tried to liberate the panel at 3 o'clock one morning. I eventually gave up and walked into Millgarth police station armed with a grin and plenty of charm. It seemed to work as it was they who actually tracked down the key holders at LCC. LCC were very nice about it. No problems at all. I explained that the shop was empty etc and that the panel had been discarded in the middle of the floor. I don't think they minded very much as the shop was due to be demolished within days.As for the original owners wanting it back? How we laughed !

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 22 Feb, 2009 9:59 pm

Just trawling through Leodis, found this of the northern side but a little early to show your shop but you might be able to pinpoint which one it was. Doesn't seem to be anything later than this.http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

wayniac · Post by **wayniac** » Mon 23 Feb, 2009 12:23 am

That picture certainly jogs my memory but I don't remember any music shops on that side. Up from Wolfsons there was a toy/model shop. I bought a Mamod model steam engine from there around 1961/62. They also had an excellent range of model airplanes and Jetex jet engines.Around 1970 there was an Indian restaurant in the block occupied by Wolfsons.I did attend the Who concert at the Mecca in the Merrion Centre, they performed twice aroud that time, once at Leeds Uni where the live album was recorded.It's possible that the panel was used at the entry to the Mecca, they had large glass advertising panels each side of the entry to advertise the upcoming acts but I really can't remember enough detail.Balmforths was higher up Merrion Street, opposite the moving stairway. They sold mainly classical string and woodwind instruments.Keep us posted on the origin if you find out some more.

Adman · Post by **Adman** » Mon 23 Feb, 2009 11:40 am

Chameleon & Wayniac, Firstly, thank you very much for your time. Chameleon, The link to the photograph you posted dose in fact show where the shop was situated. If my memory serves me, I believe it have been approximately 5/6 or 7 shops past Wolfson's. It certainly gives me something that I can print off and approach LCC with in order to try and cross reference against any records they might hold. Thankyou !Wayniac, Thanks for sharing your memories. Are your ears still ringing? Do you remember if The Mecca at The Merrion Centre was also referred to as 'The Locarno Ballroom'?. If so, then that places the gig to 13/10/70. This would indeed situate the shop very near to a documented gig by the band. I have since established that the panel was not used for 'any' kind of album or single promotion by the bands record company. All promotional material from that era has been well documented. Therefore, the possibility of the panel being a foyer promotion display still remains pretty high on the list. The panel itself was slightly damaged when I recovered it. I can only hope that I can prove that after one of the gigs it was somehow left behind for this reason. It was also reported that during a gig at The Queens Hall, some 6000 fans rioted during their midnight performance. Again as a long shot, perhaps the panel was damaged as a direct result. Obviously I'm trying to exhaust all other lines of inquiry first. The panel could have been made by an independent retailer. As to who, why, what and where...that's the reason that I'm asking here.As an attempt to jog peoples memories,The Who played Leeds on the following dates: Leeds Queens Hall 8/4/66, 14/10/66. Leeds Uni 23/6/66, 21/1/67, 14/2/70, 21/11/70. Leeds Locarno Ballroom 13/10/70 Thankyou for all your time and help. The mystery continues !

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Mon 23 Feb, 2009 4:13 pm

Was the shop on the corner of Wade Lane? Possible contender?http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL