LETTER Editor’s

ABSOLUTELY’S August issue highlights

Ivividly remember the first time I went into London alone. I must have been 15, I am not sure my parents knew where I was going, but I jumped on a train from my Surrey home to London Victoria, before getting the Tube to Oxford Street. I was there for one reason: HMV. I got into music relatively late, but was soon hooked on getting the latest must-have release. As I bought more and more music, I started craving being the first of my group of friends to buy rare albums – and for that there was only one place.

I had a local HMV, but it wasn't particularly big. I read somewhere about their Oxford Street branch and about row upon row of rare releases, vinyl and oddities and I just had to see it for myself.

I wasn't disappointed and for the next few years I would make regular forays to the store and be transported away for a blissful 30 minutes or so. I even took a job close to Oxford Street because of HMV.

So it was wonderful to speak to a man who had a 38-year career at the music giant, rising up the ranks from sales assistant to MD. Turn to page 21 to read Brian McLaughlin's story. After all that excitement I needed a lie down, so our health and wellbeing special was rather good timing...