Captured in June 1985, these rare colour pictures show Glasgow's original HMV store at 72 Union Street inside and out - and they are utterly fascinating.
In the 1985 photos, which appear to have been taken following a refit, the inside of the store is dominated by wall-to-wall vinyl, and it’s interesting to note that the scene is strikingly similar to what you might expect if you visited an HMV outlet today thanks to the recent resurgence of the 12-inch format.
Only the prices, very ‘80s décor, the presence of "no smoking" signs and the incredibly limited - but soon-to-expand - video and compact disc shelves give the true decade away.
READ MORE: Remembering Glasgow's lost iconic record store 23rd Precinct
Speaking of prices, customers could purchase the latest studio albums for just £4.99, while a Top 50 singles chart release would set you back as little as £2.49 - and it’s worth bearing in mind that your average His Master's Voice emporium was seen as eye-wateringly expensive at the time.
Saying all that, music fans could pick up 'Oldies' for just £1.65, which, even in the mid-1980s, was pretty damn reasonable.
As you can imagine, back in June 1985, there was an absolute smorgasbord of talent on offer in the UK charts. Classic albums on sale that month included Our Favourite Shop by The Style Council, Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits and Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA.
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In one photo, we get a glimpse of the top of the UK charts for the last week in June 1985 and it's a real who's who of 20th century pop and rock royalty. Sister Sledge have claimed top spot with Frankie, a fresh-faced Madonna is No3 with Crazy For You, while Bruce Springsteen is back up three places to No8 with double A-Side I'm On Fire/Born In The USA.
There’s no sign yet of Kate Bush’s aforementioned Running Up That Hill - that wouldn’t hit the UK charts until August.
Opened in 1971, the old Union Street shop was Glasgow’s first HMV store and remained the only one we had for many years - but it certainly wasn't the only place you could purchase music in the city centre.
It’s fair to say that Glasgow music fans were positively spoilt for choice in the city centre back in those days. Just down from HMV was the Virgin shop - Scotland’s largest record store - while you also had Listen Records, 23rd Precinct, Bomba Records, Tower Records, and Missing Records, all within a 10 minute radius.
