DANNY REDDINGTON

I INTERVIEWED DANNY BACK IN APRIL 2015. HERE IS THAT INTERVIEW.

Danny Reddington is a true Brummie legend. Danny seems to have been around forever!

Having owned several successful second-hand record shops and presenting on local radio, Danny has decided it is time for a well earned rest. Although Danny plans to continue with his radio work, he has now retired from record dealing

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST BECAME INTERESTED IN MUSIC?

Being born in 1941 we grew up with radio/radiogram. Listening to parent’s music, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby etc. Graduated onto Radio Luxemburg.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

Sammy Davis; Because of You 1955. On recommendation of my brother in the army in Germany. Listened to it on AFN (American Forces Network).

HOW DID OPENING A RECORD SHOP COME ABOUT?

My brother was out of work and said there was a little shop in Greet for a fiver a week. Put my record collection in and he ran it ‘till I packed in my job as a post office engineer.

WHAT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE RECORD YOU HAVE EVER SOLD?

Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody on Blue vinyl — £3500

WHICH OF YOUR SHOPS WAS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Moor Street. Mine too Dan, fond memories mate!

YOU ARE SOMETHING OF A LEGEND IN BIRMINGHAM. YOU HANG OUT WITH THE STARS, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN RADIO SHOW. DID YOU EVER IMAGINE ANY OF THIS WHEN YOU OPENED YOUR FIRST SHOP?

No I was interested in music and had the idea of doing second-hand and rare records.

YOU RECENTLY DECIDED TO RETIRE AND PUT YOUR WHOLE STOCK OF 78,000 (I believe) RECORDS UP FOR SALE FOR £1 EACH. THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS GESTURE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WEST MIDLANDS. HOW COME YOU CAME TO THE DECISION TO DO THAT INSTEAD OF TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT AND SELLING THEM AS A JOB LOT?

I was offered £23,000 but we decided to give back to the people of Birmingham and the Midlands that have supported me for these 50 years and they got some bargains I can tell you for a pound.

You’re not kidding me Dan, I was one of the first through the door and made another five visits too!

BY THE END OF THE SALE YOU WERE VIRTUALLY GIVING THEM AWAY. DID YOU GET LEFT WITH MANY AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THEM?

Yes combined with my own collection we had thousands left and a dealer in Germany had what was left. They had them for next to nothing coz I had to get out of the premisis pretty quick. I also gave 5000 records to the Air Ambulance.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS NOW YOU HAVE RETIRED?

I’m concentrating on two radio shows I do for BIGCITYRADIO.ORG in Aston; Reddington’s Countryand Reddington’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Years. I still go out and check out collections and advise folks re. values and what they should do with them. If there is anything really rare I will sell them on their behalf and get the best price I can. I go on radio and talk about music, take phone calls re. valuations, in fact anything to do with music.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVOURITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

I like all types of music. Being the age I am 74, I’ve grown up through all genres but I must say country and rock ‘n’ roll come first and soul, rock etc.

IF PUSH CAME TO SHOVE; WHAT IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE SONG?

Got to be, I suppose the first record I ever bought, Sammy Davis, Because of You.

Many thanks Danny and all the best with your retirement mate.