Muswell’s 78-year-old music shop certainly made its mark on British pop history since opening its doors for the first time in 1945. It was the local shop where the Kink’s guitarist and songwriter Ray Davies got his first guitar…
By Ian Woolley
The oldest music shop in North London, Les Aldrich Music will close its doors for the very last time on the 6th of April and another chapter in the Kinks’ rich history on Muswell Hill will be lost forever.
Their website announced recently, “We would like to thank our loyal customers who have supported us over the past 78 years and we wish you all the best in your musical endeavours!”
The Davies family (photo credit Davies family)
The tragic Kinks story begins on 21st June 1957, when a certain 31-year-old Rene Davies walked through the door. Knowing her younger brother was passionate about music, she wanted to buy him something special for his upcoming 13th birthday. Settling on a Spanish guitar she spotted hanging on the wall, little Ray’s birthday present was decided upon. That gift meant more to this boy than anybody in the Fortis Green front room could have ever imagined.
Yet in time, the music world would know and appreciate the real impact it would have on Ray Davies’s life.
That night after the birthday party, being a keen dancer, Rene visited the Lyceum Ballroom in the city. Being a Mecca ballroom in the 50s and 60s, it was one of the largest standing venues in London at the time. With a balcony overlooking the dance floor, the Davies girl was in her element away from the stress of her abusive relationship abroad. Tragically she collapsed and died of a heart attack on its dancefloor and maybe her heart health problems contributed to that we’ll never know.
In 1982, some 25 years later, Ray would pen “Come Dancing” as a tribute to his older sister.
After all, it was Rene who gave him the most cherished birthday present he ever had. Unlike the song which gave the Kinks their last UK top 40 hit, Rene’s beloved dancing Mecca hadn’t been turned into a parking lot. Ironically, it was only three years later it would close it’s doors.
Now Ray’s first guitar shop will close too and another part of the Kinks’ Muswell pop history will be no more.
“Come on sister, have yourself a ball. Don’t be afraid to come dancing, it’s only natural”.
More reading on the Kinks Muswell history HERE? Plus, we interview drummer Mick Avory in our recent March issue of the Beat. Order your copy via our website.
www.lesaldrichmusic.co.uk can be found at 98 Fortis Green Rd, Muswell Hill, London N10 3HN.