Back when apple was just a fruit and YouTube sounded more like an insult, Edinburgh was stacked with record stores that kept the good times spinning.
First came CDs, and eventually digital downloads, that effectively obliterated the need for a 45.
Things have full circle in recent years with vinyl making an unlikely comeback and catapulting the format back into the mainstream for the first time in decades.
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However, despite the return of the record, our streets are still missing out on the fabulous dedicated stores from days gone by.
More than just places to shop for the best new tunes, they were often hives of activity where like-minded souls would discuss their favourites, forge new friendships - and, in some cases, even form bands.
We’ve taken a look at the Edinburgh based record stores that are gone, but not forgotten.
Bruce’s
Originally opening a shop in Falkirk, the second record store from Bruce and Brian Finlay opened on Rose Street in 1969.
Specialising in US imports and underground music, the shop became a hub for teenagers and music enthusiasts alike.
The business even held signings, welcoming artists such as Blondie, The Police, and Ian Dury.
Avalanche Records
Avalanche Records announced their closure six years ago, stating the resurgence of companies such as HMV and Fopp had made it too difficult to continue as an independent record seller.
Manager Kevin Buckle said in March 2016: “It is clear that there is simply not enough business left after everybody else takes a cut for Avalanche to do what we have done for the last 30 years, and consequently I will shut the doors by the end of the month.”
While struggling to continue as a record store, Avalanche Records opened in Waverley Mall selling a wider range of photographs and music related cards, with a smaller selection of records and band t-shirts.
Bandparts
With a section of the store used for record listening, Bandparts originally sat at 102 Leith Street before moving down to Antigua Street.
Adored throughout the city, Bandparts was a right of passage as a teenager in Edinburgh.
It wasn’t just records, selling guitars and sheet music along with a 45.
Gutter Music
Significant in the Scottish music scene, Gutter Music had an equally popular sister store in Glasgow.
Famous for its low prices and wide variety of records, the Henderson Row business was owned by Alan Campbell.
Alan promoted concerts around the city under the name Psychotic Reaction and also managed the band Josef K.
An Edinburgh based Scottish punk band, Josef K only released one album while together though are thought to have been influential for many bands that followed.
John Menzies
Major retailers such as Menzies were the go-to for many, with a wide range of styles.
The Princes Street store existed for over 20 years, opening in 1973.
Over its time, artists such as composer Andre Pevin held signings in Menzies, as well as classical pianist Daniel Barenboim.
Scottish footballers Alan Rough and Danny McGrain even promoted the Scottish World Cup squad record We Have A Dream at Menzies in 1982.
Unknown Records
A quirky little store, Unknown Records lasted much longer than a lot of the cities record shops.
Owner Mike Craig announced in 2020 that the shop would not be making a return after the pandemic.
He added: “It would have been hard to survive the winter.
“We’re just going to be online now after 14 years of having an Edinburgh store.
“I have been selling vinyl records for 23 years - the business started off in Halifax and I ended up moving to Scotland.
“In 2005 we started the first store in St Andrews before opening on Canongate in 2006.”
Mike didn’t rule out a return to a physical store, though the collection can still be found here.
The Other Record Shop
The Other Record Shop started life at St Mary’s Street, before moving to the High Street into a two floor store.
The ground floor held new stock, with second hand and vintage records sold upstairs.
The business opened stores in Inverness, Dundee, and Aberdeen becoming hugely successful until it’s closure in the mid 80s
HMV
HMV was ripped from Princes Street in 2016, to be replaced with Sports Direct.
Evolving over the years to sell CDs, DVDs and more modern forms of music - there was a time in HMVs history when 45s filled the shelves.
In 1987, teens queued down Princes Street to have records signed by Wet Wet Wet.
HMV continues to sell from their Ocean Terminal shop, though the heyday of the music shop is long gone.
Ezy Ryder
With records for as little as 2p, Ryder’s sat in the Greyfriars market sharing space with a clothing retailer.
The record shop stole its name from the Jimi Hendrix song, from his album The Cry of Love.
As the tale goes, Ezy Ryder was ran by a temperamental Glaswegian man who kept a beady eye on those browsing the collection.
The store ended trading in 1984.
