A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: geordie_60 on December 01, 2024, 12:39:10 PM
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I was sad to read of the immediate closure of the oldest music shop in Mark's (and mine) hometown of Newcastle, J G Windows. He speaks of buying his first guitar in this shop in the Guitar Stories series and is filmed meeting john Illsley outside J G Windows. The shop has been there since 1908 in Newcastle's magnificent Central Arcade. I spent many hours with friends in the 1970s trying guitars and buying vinyl. Unlike in Wayne's World there wasn't a sign in the guitar section reading NO STAIRWAY, but perhaps there should have been! Anyway this is another sad story of businesses being able to compete with online retail.
I also remember being served by Dave Brewis in the shop, who later found fame as the guitarist with the Kane Gang. Many years later I met up with Dave Brewis to do a story on his ownership of Jimi Hendrix' psychedelic Flying V which is now in the New York Met, but that's another story.
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oh, this is really sad! I was there for the first time last September, a great store In a great Arcade! Loved to be there. Another store gone... I would never buy a guitar online. Have to feel and hear it before spending money. right? Thanks anyway for the news. Heike
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It obviously feels a shame to see those historic, traditional stores shut their businesses. Still, I like the part where you were speaking about the sign that prohibited going upstairs through a stairway – you missed this one! It seems like what used to be such a wonderful place for so many people during the years. It was good to read your memories, because it makes everything much more alive to imagine the shop like this.
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At least they should put a Blue Plaque on the house, if they have those up in Geordieland:
"In this building, MK did not drop a guitar in 1963 or whenevever it was." :lol
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How sad, nice to have visited there shortly before seeing the master in concert..