Music map

I can remember several visits to the guitar room at the fascinating shop known as Buzz Music, around 1978 time.

I was about 15 years old, lived in Hereford, and was a regular customer of Buzz Music, where I occasionally traded-in and bought records whenever my pocket money and Saturday job budget allowed.

Many of my friends were also customers and some were keen on playing the guitars (most had Aria Gibson copies and were into heavy metal, whereas I was into New Wave) and like so many others, I wanted to do the same.

Memorable moment

I recall one particular conversation with someone, who I later knew to be James Honeyman-Scott - by that stage he was evidently very, very accomplished with the guitar.

Even just to watch him made one query whether it was worth bothering to learn!

James was quite a sociable guy and easy to talk to.

I sat in the guitar room with him, chatting, and with little prospect of me actually buying what I would like.

James Honeyman-Scott (on left) when with The Hawks

Invitation

James then had a phone call and at the end of it, he was quite excited, telling me about it in the way of someone who absolutely needed to share that moment.

After all these years, I can't remember the exact words, but the gist I can clearly recall: It was from an American women and she wanted him to join a band [The Pretenders].

I certainly remember that it was of great significance to him, and there was some talk of making a single somewhere in their conversation.

That sort of talk was certainly impressive to a youngster, as I was then, and I have never forgotten it.

Success

It wasn't long before it was obvious the band signing had happened, and I was buying the records, and then later selling them as a member of staff in a local record shop.

This was the long since defunct Record Fayre, based where Milletts is now, whose manager was himself a former employee of Buzz.

I am very enthusiastic for local people to remember what an epic band came from the city, and how important the Herefordian's were to that powerful sound.

Alison Evans writes:

A group of us went to see the Pretenders at Malvern Winter Gardens - they were amazing! It was either just before or after one of them died, can't remember who or how. Just remember that the atmosphere was brilliant.