The Bluebells launch new Riverside Museum display celebrating golden era record stores in Glasgow
Scots band The Bluebells opened a new exhibition at Glasgow's Riverside Museum which will transport music fans back to a golden era for the city's record stores!
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 2 March 2022 18:00
Robert Hodgens, founder of The Bluebells and better known as Bobby Bluebell, was joined by brothers and fellow bandmates Ken and David McCluskey for the launch of ‘Spinning Around – Glasgow’s Remarkable Record Shops’; a celebration of the numerous music stores that thrived in the city from the 1980s to the mid-1990s.
During that period, Glasgow was home to 130 much-loved record shops. However, businesses like A1; Bruce’s; Gloria’s; John Smith & Son; Listen; Rub-a-Dub; 23rd Precinct; Tower; and Volume were regarded as much more than just places to buy music, they were melting pots for the growth of the city’s burgeoning cultural and creative scene – outlets of expression which galvanised Glasgow’s identity as a City of Music long before that title was officially granted by UNESCO in 2008.
Glasgow’s record shops acted as meeting places where people could experience new sounds and styles, create club nights and forge friendships. Such places helped to launch the careers of several successful Scottish acts, from The Bluebells; Deacon Blue; Orange Juice; and Simple Minds to The Bathers; BMX Bandits; Strawberry Switchblade; and The Wake.
The new display is the first to open at the Riverside Museum – managed by Glasgow Life – since 2019 and turns back time to the days before digital downloads, when all genres of music were discoverable by visiting one of the city’s record stores and flipping through racks of vinyl which held everything from mainstream hits to classical, jazz, folk, dance and reggae.
Comprising 134 objects and housed in the museum’s former 1950s Pawn Shop, it reflects the work and success of major Glasgow acts like Teenage Fanclub; Deacon Blue; Primal Scream; Simple Minds and Texas. In all, more than 60 Scottish bands and artists who were active between 1980 and 1995 are represented through records; cassettes; CDs; posters; t-shirts and other music memorabilia.
A host of groups and musicians have supported the display through donating and loaning items, including: The Bluebells; Simple Minds; Belle and Sebastian; The Pastels; Urusei Yatsura; Kevin McDermott of The Suede Crocodiles; and Ross Sinclair of The Soup Dragons. Record labels and record shops, such as The Creeping Bent Organisation and Fopp, have also gifted objects.
Among the exhibition’s main attractions are: gold discs from The Bluebells and Simple Minds; a fan-made, screen-printed scarf dedicated to The Bluebells; record shop bags connected to some of Glasgow’s best-loved vinyl venues; rare club flyers, including the Volcano’s legendary ‘Partick Passport’; and a 1956 Lambretta LD 150 scooter bought by Alex Kapranos, lead singer of Franz Ferdinand, to toast his first record deal.
Featuring a variety of digital elements, visitors can try their hand at ‘crate-digging’ and browse an interactive record rack containing around 100 LP and 12-inch sleeves, or try to find all 130 Glasgow record shops, which are dotted around a hand-drawn, one-metre-square map created by acclaimed local illustrator, Adrian McMurchie.
Hidden among the records are lesser-known Glasgow music facts, like which band has had the most hits and the identities of the city’s oldest record shops. A near six-hour playlist of bands and artists featured throughout the exhibition provides a seminal soundtrack.
Visitors can also watch a series of short interviews with musicians, DJs, record shop owners and employees, as they recount their favourite stories of Glasgow’s record stores, as well as scan a QR code to access a video listing all of the records, cassettes and CDs presented within the display, including details of the sleeve designers and record labels.
Ken McCluskey of The Bluebells said: “Glasgow’s record shops in the 1980s were hugely important to me and The Bluebells; they were where we got our musical education from and where we would meet and hang out. It was an exciting time for music and the emergence of many of Scotland’s top bands and artists during those years grew out of the city’s record shop scene. It’s been a pleasure to donate a few rare items on behalf of the band to this brilliant new exhibition, which celebrates the importance of Glasgow’s record stores to the city’s musical legacy.”
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow is Scotland’s music capital and our iconic record shops played a central role for more than a decade in shaping and enhancing our reputation as a world-class music city. This informative new exhibition – the first at the Riverside Museum since before the pandemic – captures the rich history of these independent stores as well as their significant contribution to Glasgow’s musical heritage.”
Photography is another key feature of the exhibition, with images taken in the early 1980s by renowned music press photographer, Harry Papadopoulos, on show. Originally available to buy as 10-by-8-inch prints in many of Glasgow’s independent record shops, Street Level Photoworks has provided exclusive access to a selection from Papadopoulos’ archive. Additionally, shots of 1990s clubbers at Glasgow’s legendary Sub Club have been supplied by celebrated Glasgow photographer, Brian Sweeney, to help place in context the various flyers featured in the display.
Neil Johnson-Symington (pictured above), Curator of Transport and Technology at Glasgow Life Museums, who put the exhibition together, said: “Glasgow has always been known as a City of Music, even before UNESCO’s official endorsement in 2008. However, this display is inspired not by the city’s unrivalled music venues, but by the scores of record shops from the 1980s to the mid-1990s which were instrumental to the forming of so many amazing local bands. They weren’t just places to buy records, they were creative hubs which inspired new music, club nights, recording studios and independent labels.
“With demand for vinyl surging and opportunities to enjoy live music returning, this timely new display will provide music fans with an opportunity to enjoy a trip down memory lane and to reflect on Glasgow’s once flourishing love affair with its record shops.”
‘Spinning Around – Glasgow’s Remarkable Record Shops’ will be refreshed with new objects and donations annually. You can visit the exhibition for free during the Riverside Museum’s opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Saturday, 10am-5pm; Friday and Sunday, 11am-5pm.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Aidan MacDonald Takes the Leap for Beatson Cancer Charity
On 17th August, Aidan MacDonald, Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist for teenagers and young adults at The Beatson, will be taking to the skies for a thrilling skydive in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity.
READ MORE
Crossbasket Castle unveils holistic wellness experiences to nourish the mind, body and soul
From one-day yoga and breathwork retreats to an overnight luxury Fire & Ice Wellness experience, these events offer the perfect escape to restore, reflect, and recharge.
READ MORE
Piping Live! Big Band parade kicks off 2025 festival in style
Over 200 musicians from around the world played as one to mark the beginning of this year’s Piping Live! Festival.
READ MORE
Cereal giant to support STV Childrens Appeal campaign to fund breakfast clubs in Scottish schools
Stronger Together: Kellogg's pledges pound-for-pound match for Big Scottish Breakfast Fundraiser.
READ MORE
Step into the ring: XSite Braehead hosts knockout wrestling event
Let's get ready to rumble! The heavyweight champion of entertainment and leisure, XSite Braehead, invites the local community to its big wrestling event!
READ MORE
The countdown to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow is on
Glasgow is getting ready to once again welcome The World Pipe Band Championships – a spectacular Scottish cultural highlight that's always greatly anticipated by audiences from near and far.
READ MORE
Dishoom unveils two exclusive dishes for its new Glasgow cafe ahead of launch
Dishoom has whet appetites for the opening of its Glasgow cafe by revealing two dishes created exclusively for the city. The hotly anticipated new venue opens on Friday 29th August!
READ MORE
Sleigh bells ring early! Brand new Christmas fair at SEC announced as tickets go on sale
Deck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.
READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORE
Clyde Scouts celebrate 100 years of outdoor adventure at Auchengillan
New high ropes course and giant swing unveiled in landmark investment for centenary.
READ MORE
A medal that celebrates Glasgow
The 2025 AJ Bell Great Scottish Run medal has just been revealed, and it's a stunning tribute to one of Glasgow's most recognisable landmarks!
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of August.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish premiere of STEPtacular new musical Here & Now
The King's Theatre, Glasgow are delighted to announce the full cast for the brand-new musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation, Steps.
READ MORE
Silverburn to offer free school uniform label printing service this Saturday
Silverburn's free back to school label printing service is returning this weekend and will be available on Saturday from 9am-7pm.
READ MORE
The PartyPoker Tour heads to Glasgow
Following a successful launch in London and a summer stop in Manchester, the PartyPoker Tour continues its journey across the UK as it heads to Glasgow.
READ MORE
Children from local charity treated to blockbuster summer day out at Glasgow Fort
40 young people supported by local charity Young Movers (YoMo) were given the VIP treatment last week, enjoying a blockbuster day of summer fun at Glasgow Fort.
READ MORE
Session schedule unveiled for Glasgow 2026
With packed venues and 30 medal sessions across 50 sport sessions, it's shaping up to be one of the most electric weekends in Glasgow's sporting history!
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to join mural trail with free pottery kits available across the city this weekend
Glaswegians are being invited on a wild and artsy wander through the city this Sunday (3rd August), courtesy of The Craft Pottery!
READ MORE
Celebrate South Asian cinema with a selection of new releases at Vue Glasgow
There's plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue Glasgow St Enoch this summer!
READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere reveals full programme of radical performance for biennial festival
Take Me Somewhere reveals its full programme of radical performance that will take over Glasgow in October, inviting audiences into spaces of care, resistance and transformation.
READ MORE
Principal casting announced for Sunny Afternoon ahead of Glasgow run
Danny Horn, Oliver Hoare, Harry Curley and Zakarie Stokes are stepping into the legendary shoes of The Kinks when Sunny Afternoon comes to The King's Theatre Glasgow in October!
READ MORE
Beatson Ambassadog Juno and owner Nicole set to attend Off the Beatson Track
Beatson Cancer Charity's official Ambassadog, Juno, will return to Off the Beatson Track this summer with her devoted owner Nicole Lowther.
READ MORE
Scots comic James Gardner offers early look at new Fringe show Jockney Rebel in Glasgow
One of Scotland's most talked-about comedy voices is returning to Glasgow this week for one night only.
READ MORE
Loudest youth showcase hits all the right notes
Grassroot organisation Girls Rock Glasgow have just wrapped their biggest Summer School to date with a sold-out graduation showcase at The Art School!
READ MORE
Scots Language Awards on hunt for nominees
The Scots Language Awards are now welcoming nominations for this year’s celebration of Scots.
READ MORE
Raja Rani Restaurant celebrates 8th Anniversary with special offer for customers
Raja Rani, the award-winning Indian restaurant in Bearsden in Glasgow, is celebrating in style this August.
READ MORE
Thousands of locals turn out for The Bridge Family Festival at Platform
There was a great turnout from thousands of locals to The Bridge Family Festival at Platform, The Bridge, Easterhouse, at the weekend.
READ MORE
BBC River City star Stephen Purdon joins the Go Radio Breakfast Show
Popular Scottish actor Stephen Purdon, best known for his long-standing role as Bob O'Hara in BBC soap River City, is joining The Go Radio Breakfast Show.
READ MORE
Kilmacolm mum to take on Off the Beatson Track once again while undergoing cancer treatment
Eilidh Wilson, 49, from Kilmacolm, is preparing to take part in Off the Beatson Track again on Sunday 24th August while continuing treatment for secondary breast cancer.
READ MORE
Best bars in town come together for Glasgow Cocktail Week 2025
Glasgow's best bars have come together once again to celebrate the return of the city's original and much-loved cocktail festival, Glasgow Cocktail Week!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links