RIP Pete Austin (Denmark St)

KKJale

Just heard that Pete Austin - a familiar friendly face to many players from London and beyond thanks to his 30+ years working in various guitar shops on Tin Pan Alley, including Andy's and the original incarnation of Hanks - died a few days ago. 

I met Pete as a callow teen in about 1979 when he sold me a Gibson flattop. He was a fount of stories and we had a few fine chats down the years. Definitely one of the good guys from a slice of music culture now passing into memory. So long Pete. 

https://i.imgur.com/UyeUbY1.jpg

dcg

Yes, Pete was a true Denmark Street legend back when the street still had some legitimate reputation, and before it became a kind of music theme park (but without all the rehearsal rooms and studios behind the shops, which have been removed/sanitised).  Always good for a chat and some good repartee, Pete once mentioned to me that he owned 27 Telecasters...one of which is of course pictured above.

sammysaber

Only a few days ago I was thinking of him, reminiscing about the early eighties as a young teenager who was in Andy's five days a week ; it really was a second home with Andrew, Andy, and Pete. He had a great sense of humour - wish I had had a chance to see him later on to say thank you for the memories.

RodneyProsser

If you would like to come to see Pete off into the next world… Join us at Golders Green Crematorium at 11am on Monday 3rd June
Thanks Rodney Prosser (Pete’s manager and friend since 1990)

Also we have put up an album of his band https://seizethetime.bandcamp.com/album/rehearsal-tape