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1. The Temptations The Temptin' Temptations (US Gordy/UK Tamla Motown)
2. Elvis Presley Elvis Is Back (US/UK RCA Victor)
3. U Roy Version Galore (JA. Treasure Isle)
4. The Beatles With The Beatles (UK Parlophone)
5. The Impressions The Impressions (US ABC Paramount)
6. Elmore James Memorial Album (UK Sue)
7. Ricky Nelson Rockin' With Ricky (UK Ace)
8. Pink Floyd Piper At the Gates Of Dawn (UK Columbia)
9. Billy Butler Right Track (US Okeh)
10. Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band Safe As Milk (US Buddah/UK Pye International)
AND MY THREE GREATEST SINGLES EVERY WEEK:
1. Little Richard Keep A-Knockin' (US Specialty/UK London)
2. Elvis Presley Little Sister/His Latest Flame (US/UK RCA Victor)
3. Buddy Holly Brown Eyed Handsome Man (US/UK Coral)
I was born back in the day, to parents. Their names were Mr. and Mrs. Rounce. Ours was a musical household - everyone in it could play the Dansette and, when we could afford one, we all coped just as easily with the delights of our first stereogram. My Grandad bought Jimmie Rodgers and Spike Jones records, my Dad spent his 7/6 a week on Gene Vincent LPs, Hank Williams EPs and Coasters 45s. I didn't have a chance to be "normal", really. As I grew up I got older, but none the wiser if you believe Ma and Pa's side(s) of the story. Other kids spent their pocket money on sherbet lemons and "The Hornet" or "The Hotspur". Me, I listened to Radio Luxembourg and pirate radio and bought Don Covay and Kim Weston 45s.
Faced in my mid-teens by a growing list of wants and not enough money to pay for even half of them, I opted to seek gainful employment in a record shop, instead of going to University. "What a waste of a good education" said Pa Rounce. "Yeah, and guitar groups are on the way out, Mr. Epstein", I of course replied...
Thirty years on I've been a retailer, writer, DJ, group manager, group mismanager, dance music promoter, ambassador of sorts for Country music, long-suffering Millwall FC fan, and lots more besides. I still collect records avidly, and still work in the record business - and, as far as I'm concerned, I have one of the best jobs in that business. When I'm not doing Ace-related work I occasionally continue to be several, if not all, of the aforementioned things, although these days when I'm away from Ace I mostly prefer being a husband to my lovely wife Helen...
Working at Ace would be the dream job of most record collectors. It goes without saying that it's certainly mine.
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