The countdown to Bruce's big day in Dundee started with a 2 page special feature in the local press on 11th December 1974.
As well as supplying background info about the shop, there were lots of adverts too, but the main eye-catcher was the one above - the announcement that the shop was to be opened by superstar, Rod Stewart.
He was also to be accompanied by Scottish comedian, Bill Barclay.
And the date of the exciting event was 14th December 1974.
As well as supplying background info about the shop, there were lots of adverts too, but the main eye-catcher was the one above - the announcement that the shop was to be opened by superstar, Rod Stewart.
He was also to be accompanied by Scottish comedian, Bill Barclay.
And the date of the exciting event was 14th December 1974.
The day before the shop opening and another reminder that Rod Stewart will definitely be present at a specified time for the grand opening.
For some reason, Bill Barclay has now disappeared from the ad.
For some reason, Bill Barclay has now disappeared from the ad.
It's now Saturday 14th December 1974 and not only was Bruce's packed, but Reform Street itself was choc-a-block with Rod Stewart fans waiting to catch a glimpse of him arrive at the shop.
The crowd had gathered a couple of hours before Rod was due but there was a last minute delay and the gathering had to hang on another 2 hours!
The photo above shows some of the eager crowd waiting across the road opposite the shop.
The crowd had gathered a couple of hours before Rod was due but there was a last minute delay and the gathering had to hang on another 2 hours!
The photo above shows some of the eager crowd waiting across the road opposite the shop.
Eventually, at 2:30 pm, Rod Stewart finally made it to Bruce's.
The delay meant that the crowd had increased dramatically and the police were called to try help control the situation.
Needless to say, Rod was mobbed as he got out the car trying to make his way into the shop.
The photo above captures the chaos of the crowd blocking Reform Street.
The delay meant that the crowd had increased dramatically and the police were called to try help control the situation.
Needless to say, Rod was mobbed as he got out the car trying to make his way into the shop.
The photo above captures the chaos of the crowd blocking Reform Street.
As he meets fans and signs autographs inside Bruce's, the crowd outside start chanting "We want Rod".
However, because of the chaos in the street, Rod and Bruce opt to sneak out the back door as they had yet another engagement that afternoon - the Dundee v Celtic match up at Dens Park!
As if that wasn't enough activity for one day, after the match, Rod then had to be rushed through to Glasgow because he had a gig at the Apollo Theatre that evening!!
The photo above is Rod at Bruce's Record Shop in Reform Street.
I was at Bruce's and the match too that afternoon.
So after a nervy delay, the day did go to plan - well apart from the non appearance of Bill Barclay who missed all the action!
However, because of the chaos in the street, Rod and Bruce opt to sneak out the back door as they had yet another engagement that afternoon - the Dundee v Celtic match up at Dens Park!
As if that wasn't enough activity for one day, after the match, Rod then had to be rushed through to Glasgow because he had a gig at the Apollo Theatre that evening!!
The photo above is Rod at Bruce's Record Shop in Reform Street.
I was at Bruce's and the match too that afternoon.
So after a nervy delay, the day did go to plan - well apart from the non appearance of Bill Barclay who missed all the action!
That's how things went on the official opening day of Bruce's Record Shop at 33 Reform Street on 14th December 1974.
This was the 7th Bruce's shop to open in Scotland.
The interior was designed around a curves & coves theme and had a coffee & cream colour scheme.
When you entered the shop the curved counter was on the right-hand side and the rest of the shop space was record racks and cassette displays.
In the middle of the floor there was the latest record rack design called the "wedding cake" - a 2 tier circular rack which was illuminated.
The shop also had concealed lighting, a listening booth and the usual music related paraphernalia on the walls.
John Preston (who used to work with Decca) was the first manager and had 4 permanent staff & 2 part-timers working for him.
A couple of years later, Jim Stewart took over as manager.
The shop exterior was based on a famous Parisian boutique and had a bronze effect doorway tunnel.
It's main round window would display record sleeves, the shops "album of the week" and such like.
In the other showcase window near the doors they would put up the latest chart list each week.
Below is a quick sketch I did from memory.
It's not gonna be 100% accurate but it's roughly how the doorway entrance area looked.
This was the 7th Bruce's shop to open in Scotland.
The interior was designed around a curves & coves theme and had a coffee & cream colour scheme.
When you entered the shop the curved counter was on the right-hand side and the rest of the shop space was record racks and cassette displays.
In the middle of the floor there was the latest record rack design called the "wedding cake" - a 2 tier circular rack which was illuminated.
The shop also had concealed lighting, a listening booth and the usual music related paraphernalia on the walls.
John Preston (who used to work with Decca) was the first manager and had 4 permanent staff & 2 part-timers working for him.
A couple of years later, Jim Stewart took over as manager.
The shop exterior was based on a famous Parisian boutique and had a bronze effect doorway tunnel.
It's main round window would display record sleeves, the shops "album of the week" and such like.
In the other showcase window near the doors they would put up the latest chart list each week.
Below is a quick sketch I did from memory.
It's not gonna be 100% accurate but it's roughly how the doorway entrance area looked.
Click the record below to view the main BIZ archive...