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.
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.
i still have a pink jh paper bag in nm! 🙂
I had a Saturday job there from 1966 to 1969.! Great memories……
Saturday job there 71 to 74. Great memories also!
i new agirl called maureen who used to work at jill hansons
I met my late wife Jayne who worked there in 1966
Who was the celebrity who opened the shop? I'm sure it was someone famous and I was with my cousin
thanks for the feedback and memories
Excellent, thanks for the feedback
lovely memory. wonder if she remembers you?
Oh wow so, for you, that place holds some really special memories
Off the top of my head I dont know. But you are right as something is ringing a bell. Will research this and try to find out. May take a while.
Great days. I went in one day in 1969 to buy Led Zeppelin 2, but it was out of stock. There was a display 'fan' of Black Sabbath's Paranoid album which caught my eye, so as the money was burning a hole in my pocket I bought that instead….but went back the following weekend for Zep.
Oh yes…it was always on a Saturday. 😅