Back to the future for city music store
A 40-YEAR music legacy has been rescued and will continue, thanks to one man.
Stewart Fairhurst was manager of Southport Allans Billy Hyde shop before it entered administration a fortnight ago.
Since the Southport closure Mr Fairhurst has decided to open independently as Gold Coast Music – a nostalgic throwback.
“This Southport store, in 1979, started as a drum shop upstairs,” Mr Fairhurst said.
“Then it became Gold Coast Music in 1984, owned by Alan Driscoll and Colin Barnes. I think around 2007 Billy Hyde took over and then someone else took over around 2012 and it’s been a music shop ever since.
“I was sad when Gold Coast Music was bought by Billy Hyde, just to not see the (Gold Coast) name.
“Sadly Alan Driscoll passed away a year ago but I asked his wife Pam and Colin Barnes for their blessing to call it Gold Coast Music and they were more than happy for me to do that.”
There has been plenty of beautiful music made out of the historic Nerang St building, from past and present stars.
“My good friend Amy Shark comes in to see me regularly,” Mr Fairhurst said.
“Ever since I’ve been in music retail I’ve known her and watched her grow into an international star.
“I know Simon Phillips from Toto has been in here. and Lee Kernaghan comes quite regularly.”
Mr Barnes recalled a time when they would hold drum workshops, grabbing touring talent with their strong musical reputation.
“During the heyday we’d have a drum clinic every month,” he said.
“We had guys like Jonathan Moffett who was Michael Jackson’s drummer, Liberty De Vito, the drummer with Billy Joel, but I think Simon Phillips from Toto holds the record.
“We had him about three times and each time he’d pull in around 700 drummers. We had to hire the Brisbane Leagues Club to hold everyone.”
When Gold Coast Music is back up and running, in about six weeks, it will be one of a handful of full-service music shops on the Gold Coast.
Despite this, Mr Fairhurst said Billy Hydes going out of business was not a reflection on the industry.
“I really don’t know what happened,” he said. “It’s got nothing to do with the industry. This shop has been a go-to for nearly 40 years.
“There’s a big hole, but it’s not about going into competition, it’s about bringing back a classic, real, Gold Coast music store.”
I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IT’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INDUSTRY. THIS SHOP HAS BEEN A GO-TO FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.