Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened to Record Shops?

Is it possible to miss something you never really had? Yes, I think maybe it is. It's more a sense of feeling as though you missed out on something. For me that 'something' is independent record shops and vinyl. With the record shops it's a lack of appreciation for them as I wasn't old enough to when we still had ours in town, I still remember them though. I've seen things come and go, and changes happen, but didn't really understand back then. But with vinyl, I'm just not old enough to remember it. That's something I think is quite sad really. I'm 21 and I don't think I've ever held a vinyl record, let alone heard one playing. (That's probably shocked some people into thinking they're old now, sorry.)

Anyway, the point of this post is about this book - 'Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened to Record Shops?'

I started reading this book for my dissertation as I'm primarily looking into how the Internet has changed the sales of CDs with things like downloads (with a bit of vinyl thrown in). This was a book that I wanted to read anyway as music's always been something that I've been interested in and had a love of since I was little, and so my dissertation has got off to an enjoyable start.

'Last Shop Standing' tells of Graham's personal career in music - in particular, the record sales business - and charts the changes that he's seen take place in the industry throughout his career. It's such a good book but when you really think about it, it does make for quite a sad read. The book focuses on how the changes have affected the independent record shops (like the title suggests) but shows that the music industry that once was, isn't the music industry that we have today - it's a whole different ball game. The contributors in the book are all owners of independents (and survivors of the changing industry) and their anecdotes, memories and views really make you think at times. The music industry that I'm used to, having only been born in the early 90s, is not necessarily the one I would like. There was one quote that really stood out to me: "I asked Piers if he thought that the Bridport Record Centre would be one of the 'Last Shops Standing'. "Of course", was his reply, "I will just purchase more musical instruments and fewer CDs"." The independents are having to kill off their own business (and in may cases, their passion) in order to be able to stay in business.

It's a real insight into an industry that a lot of us only see the face of and one that we take for granted. In today's world we want something for nothing and will take what we can get but in doing so we are killing off an industry that we can't get enough of - we're all guilty of it.

If you've got fond memories of your local record shop, a place that's likely to no longer be there, dig out your vinyl (I know I would if I could) and get reading this book! It's a big book but one that's definitely worth reading. No doubt it'll bring back memories for you - you're lucky - because that's something I don't really have.