HIPSTERS! This is what they wanted!

So, eleven weeks later and side one of The Record Player comes to a close. It's been great fun and I've met some new people and heard some stuff I wouldn't ever consider listening to. Below are the chart placings decided by ticket sales, biggest surprise was 9 people for The Stone Roses. I'd think more would come now that they're decided to get their sorry asses on the comeback trail. Thanks to all who bought tickets, thanks to Tyneside Cinema for going along with the whole crazy scheme.

Back in March, suggestions for long list coming this week - please add your faves to comments list or email them to therecordplayer@yahoo.co.uk.

1. Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars
2. Led Zep 4
3. Dark Side of the Moon
4. The Hounds of Love
5. Pet Sounds
6. For Emma, Forever Ago
7. Seldom Seen Kid
8. Abbey Road
9. Queen 2
10. Quadrophenia
11. The Stone Roses

Folk I Have Met.

Last weekend I was in the same room as a man who wrote over 50 Motown hits. Alright, Cliff Richard was there as well, but let's not quibble. Lamont Dozier was that man, a man whose genius has soundtracked the lives of millions.

I once shook the hand of DJ Fontana, he played the drums on Jailhouse Rock. With Elvis. I never expected that in my life. Suzi Quatro once rang me up and I have offered my flat as a bail address for a Housemartin.

There is an argument that should never meet your heroes, but, sadly when I do, I can't help myself. Fanboy takes over. I once stuck my head through the sun roof of a Ford Granada to tell David Sylvian that I liked his records and there was that time that Peter Hook told me to fuck off.

When I got the chance to meet Brian Wilson, I was both chuffed and cynical. Here's a man whose songs are on the radio everyday. Since the 1960's. But he's bonkers, he's addled by drugs and age. As we queued a little American barked at us 'one autograph, one photograph'. Duly we met the man, a brief blur of signing and a quick snap.
For the few seconds I stood by him, all I could think was; 'bugger me, it's Brian Wilson'. He's a genius.
We were soon turfed out, but the good feeling remained.

So what's the point then? It's the Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys classic at The Record Player on Thursday, and as part of the fun, there's a competition to win the copy of Smile I got Brian to autograph.
Here it is:

http://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/mr-draytons-record-player