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.