Imagine how in the good old days, music lovers would find their music. You’d think of little stores full from floor to ceiling of records (well that’s what I think anyway). And I’m not far off. Last Shop Standing is a story of The Rise, The Fall and The Rebirth of these stores that once held a very special place in the hearts of all music lovers.

The film, split into three acts; The Rise, The Fall and The Rebirth, shows interviews with legendary musicians such as; Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook), Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr and the Modfather himself Paul Weller, their stories are about the boom in record shops as rock ‘n roll, and punk took hold in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s, and the struggle they had in the 90’s and 00’s. We learn how much the musicians thank the record stores for giving them the security and refuge on Saturdays when they were younger. “The independent record shops are true gems of our culture. Who would want them thrown away?”  Johnny Marr (Musician) has them same opinions as most music lovers out there alongside with Paul Weller (Musician) “There were record shops when I started my career, they were everywhere…”

We also learn about several record store owners stories from the 60’s to the present. They tell us how it felt to get the very first Elvis Presley vinyl in their hands and how electrifying it was to get the Beatles music rushing into their ears. It is a heartfelt 50 minute documentary, my only wish is that it was longer.

The film is light hearted and shows the store owners appreciation to the customers for keeping them in business. It did however show the sad and hard times a lot of the shops have had. During filming the store Hudsons-that had been in business for over 100 years- sadly closed down. What’s worse is Mr Hudson was not alone, in the past 20 years about 200 independent record stores have been shut down. What the Last Shop Standing can do is give the younger generation- who might not have been into a record store before- the urge to get a record player and go to their closest store and get the knowledge, excitement and enthusiasm from the person across the counter, helping them discover an artist they may never of heard; something the local supermarket is unable to provide.

“Record shops kept me going when I was desperately trying to work out how to be an international rock star” Billy Bragg (International Rock Star).

  To find out more visit – www.lastshopstanding.com

Lucy Hutchon