Bought my UK London copy of the "Presenting the Ronettes" there. They stuck those yellow labels on the 45's! Comment:John Lester.
Listened to Led Zep 2 for first time in the record booth = Amazing ! Comment: Paul Bakewell.
Wells or 'WMS' as we all called the company, belonged to my grandfather & then my dad till it closed down in about 1996. I worked on & off in several of the shops in Romford during the 70's & 80's.Looking at this label brings back a few memories!
(july 23, 2015) I have fond memories of going into the shop in the 1960's 1970's ,I was a fan of Jazz in those days,Duke Ellington etc. in those days they had little listening booths where you could listen to tracks before you purchased the record,happy days.Comment: Brian Allen.
(Jan 12,2016) Loved that record store, I worked later in a clothing store a few doors down from it in the 70's called Peters (I believe) I remember lining up outside for the release of dark side of the moon, and was late for a wedding. Comment: David Cox.
Name Tim Maryon Comment: I also bought my Ronetts LP in there, in 1965 I think...still have it. We were in there nearly every Saturday...spent bundles of money in Wells. Still have a few singles from late 50's early 60's with that yellow label on em Good memories of those times. (Nov 28,2016)
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I worked here on Saturdays from '74-76. Loved every moment. Arthur Wells was the loveliest man, and a true gentleman. Melvin Axelrood was my manager, and he was a top bloke. I used to get paid then spend it on an album a week! Dark side of the Moon was still a big seller, but Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells blew everyone away at that time. Good times.
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Jacqui Greening
(2019)
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Born in Romford 1937 left there in 1972 so I have memories of Wells Music Store, also another record shop that later opened in North Street called 'The Second Fiddle'. This had a basement where jazz gigs took place. Unfortunately, the place went down the tubes shortly after they built the ring road. Prior to that there was a bus stop right outside the shop, which afforded Eddie (the proprietor) scope for casual trade! Daresay, if I went back to Romford I would not recognise the place!
Ken (2023)
Bought my first records in Wells then later at the co op and there was an electrical goods shop in south street that sold records in it's basement,can remember buying stuff on the bluebeat label there
I was born in 53, so not as old as many posters on this page, but I remember buying Love Me Do with my birthday money in January 1963, at Wells Music Store.
The tradition was to listen to it in the booths with some sort of a speaker on a stick. In no way was it high-fidelity! But we could stand there ‘dancing’ in the booth, looking as cool as we could for the two minutes thirty seconds. If it was a single, at 6/8 (six shillings and eight pence), 33p, we’d have it slipped in a paper bag and go home.
But if it was an LP, from memory about 32/6, £1:12:6, £1.62p, we’d forgo the Wells Music Store paper bag and just walk around town, carrying it under our arm, with our hands stuffed into our Levi’s. It was a badge….showing how cool we were to have bought the latest LP.
And yes, I admit to carrying my coolest LPs around for weeks! X
Wells music shop where you could listen to the records before you bought. Still have a box of 78's.
The first single I bought was Living in the Past by Jethro Tull, and the first album was “The Pious Bird of Good Omen” (!) by Fleetwood Mac, as Albatross had been in the charts.
I think I bought them both in Wells Music Stores in the Romford Arcade in South Street. (Near Craddocks)
I have some! I remember queueing up for tickets for the Rolling Stones at the Odeon, then, clutching my 2nd row from the front, 2nd house ticket after waiting since 5.30 am, going to Wells to buy the new Beatles album ( with the Beatles) with my Christmas money. Happy days!
I can remember going into Wells music store in the 60s to buy a Monkees single on the day it was released. I was only about 11 and went in full of teenybop excitement to be served by a young bloke... but probably about 18, who served me with utter distain and clearly thought I'd not yet reached the age of cool!
When The Beatles came to town in '63, my Dad took me into The Arcade Wells and I think they'd signed stuff nearby that day. Susan Maughan was with them and I got her autograph in Wells - Dad's aim had been for me to see the boys I think. I was only 6 at the time and had just started school at Crowlands, London Road. All the kids were talking about seeing The Beatles and buying jelly babies to throw at Paul. Wells relocated to the Main Road in '65 I believe.
