Bob Brooks, who ran 'Reggae Revive.' Bob was a former Harrod's employee (I think he stocked shelves there, or something), Bob had gone to New York and bought a lot of dead stock from Clive Chin and
others connected to Randy's/VP. At the time, most of Bob's tunes were selling for £5 or £8, but some others cost more. Bob had a market stall first, close to Pete, then he was outside Honest Jons, then inside
Honest Jon's in a space to the right of the door, then he moved up to the other side of Portobello Road, top end, where he had his own shop, full of idlers listening to music and drinking strong beer all day.
Eventually he became online only. David Kats
Negozio gestito da tempo immemorabile da Bob Brooks: qui trovate il meglio delle ristampe e original ska-rocksteady-roots stuff in circolazione. Reggae Revive has recently lasciated the "buco" where it was originally found (within Honest John's) and has definitively moved to Kilburn in a completely new business. Reggae Revive is now also available online and can now be accessed I protect courtesy and speed up the shipment in no time!! Respect Bob+Robert+Philip!! Please send the catalog to [email protected]
Comments
Robin Medford
03 Sep 2024 at 08:22
What was the address of Bob’s Reggae Revives shop at Portobello Rd before moving to Chamberlayne Rd?
Robin Medford
04 Sep 2024 at 11:21
Reggae Revive was situated at 331 Portobello Road during the 90s before residing at 26 Chamberlayne Road.
Dave Home
04 Aug 2025 at 01:28
Well that's half the story. I met Bob Brooks in 1987 and we became good friends. We were both buying old stock from online sellers like Crucial Riddims and Outernational in the USA, as well as from UK sellers. We decided to team up and start selling records at Record Fairs in London. By early 1989 we set up a stall on the pavement outside Honest Jon's in Portobello Roadand then moved inside, converting a store room at the back into a shop. Richard the Duke built the counter, shelving and racks and my brother-in-law, Bob Brookes, fitted the double glazed internal door and window. Clive Chin in New York kindly offered to put his up at his house so Bob, Duke Vin and me travelled to New York in May 1989. Whilst we were there we bought old stock from the owner of Musicland as well as from Victor Chin at Chin-Randy's and of course from VP. Clive was very helpful in making these connections. The stock was shipped back to the UK and sold in the shop. Through Clive we were introduced to Justin 'Top Deck' Yap and used money from the shop to do a deal with Justin to release his back catalogue through the 'Reggae Magic' label. Bob was working in the shop full-time but also went on record buying trips abroad to buy fresh stock. I was working in the shop on Saturdays only. Anyway, I had a full-time job and family commitments so Bob and I split the partnership in 1991. It was very amicable and we remained good friends. I remember going to the opening party when the 'Reggae Revive' shop moved further along Portobello Road, near the junction with Golborne Road. After a while the 'Reggae Revive' shop moved again to Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Rise and then went online only. For me the time I was involved was a great time. Bob's flat in Barlby Road was a hub for Reggae music fans and Bob and his girlfriend were incredibly hospitable. If ever a crowd of us went for a drink after a day in the shop, Bob was always the first to put his hand in his pocket and buy a round. Big up Bob!
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