Some of the bygone era of Charing Cross Road music shops. In the 1950s and 60s there were many more music shops there than at present. A central feature at No. 75 and 77 was Dobell's record shops (see photo).
For me, three prominent music and instrument shops in the 1950s were Selmers amd macaris (est. 1958), which sold all manner of instruments, especially guitars, and Scarth (on the corner of Lisle St. and Charing-X Rd.), which sold classical guitars and sheet music. If I am not mistaken, the mainly-classical music shop Boosey and Hawkes (or maybe it was Chappall) had a big outlet on Charing Cross Rd. (near the Tottenham Court Rd. end).
One or two were located off or near to Charing Cross Road, such as the Fender Shop in Shaftesbury Avenue, Rod Argents' music store in Denmark Street, Footes drum shop in Brewer Street (Soho).
1989. It was in the latter years (maybe just after 1989?) found at an address in Shaftesbury Ave. area, New Oxford St. end. |
![]() |
![]() Macaris were usually well to the fore with the latest in instruments and peripherals (amplifiers, effect boxes etc.) |
![]() Now Macaris has changed ownership |