Jill Hanson Record Shop

 

Jill Hanson Record Shop

by Pete Clemons

The Jill Hanson record shop opened during 1957 in Market Way. It opened at a time when teen culture was on the rise and rock 'n' roll was becoming big in the UK. The shop quickly accepted itself as the place to buy your records.

Despite marrying, and becoming Hopkins, Jill ensured that the already established Hanson name continued. It was first seen in Coventry when A&FE Hanson began as a music shop in Earlsdon. And Jill was keen to keep the Hanson family business alive.

Their was a myth going around that Jill was the sister of entertainer John Hanson. But the two were completely unrelated.

Links were established early on when Coventry Theatre would give Jill advance notice as to who was appearing there. This was so the latest records by that artist could be stocked and displayed. It was a two way thing. Entertainers appearing at the theatre would also make appearances at the centrally located shop.

And then, during 1959, the Coventry Telegraph began a weekly column that gave news, views and gossip from the record world. Jill Hanson's joined forces with the Telegraph in this new feature by bringing the 'top ten' ratings from Coventry based on sales at the shop. The very first gossip column and list is below and this top 10 was an ongoing benchmark for several years and appeared in other local newspapers.

1. Travellin' Light – Cliff Richard

2. Sea of Love – Marty Wilde

3. Til I Kissed You – Everly Brothers

4. Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin

5. Here Comes Summer – Jerry Keller

6. The Three Bells – The Browns

7. Only Sixteen – Craig Douglas

8. Livin' Doll – Cliff Richard

9. China Tea – Russ Conway

10. Broken Hearted Melody – Sarah Vaughan

The Beverley Sisters come out today on Decca Label 45-F11172 with a disc that should rival their' Little Drummer Boy', their last number one with the Christmas message that sold nearly a quarter of a million copies. It is a 'first ever' attempt by Sunderland composer Eve Boswell called 'The Little Donkey'.

Listen to 'Disc Break' telecast next Tuesday for the Beverley Sisters first appearance since last Christmas when 'The Little Donkey' will be presented.

Pye Records continue the Christmas Theme with last week's new issue of 11 Golden Guineas. The company's all out advertising campaign has been a huge success, and their attitude of 'the best for the public at the public's best price' is reaping rich dividends.

The Guinea disc I liked best was GGL0004 'The Golden Age of Dance Bands' featuring the fabulous names from a fabulous musical era – Miller, Goodman, Shaw, James and the Dorsey Brothers.

Nostalgic certainly, but who doesn't remember with a special kind of thrill 'Moonlight Serenade', 'Stardust' and 'String of Pearls' to name but three of the 12 titles on the label.

Best soundtrack recording I've heard in a long long time is the original Goldwyn production of 'Porgy and Bess' on the Phillips label ABL3282 (12 inch LP). A top album for top collections.

Sadly Jill Hanson record shop closed during 1981 after business rates became too expensive and unsustainable. But the Jill Hanson name, to this day, is still remembered with fondness.