The History behind Pop Shop (1977-1991)

As a kid growing up in London, my Aunt from South Africa used to come and visit twice a year. In July over my birthday and at Christmas time.

For my sixth birthday she brought me 4 Pop Shop LP’s (numbers 19-22) in 1983. From the moment I unwrapped my present, I knew that she had given me the key to something special, something sacred. Thus began my very intimate love affair with the Pop Shop series.

As I listened to these records, I started to understand the effect that music had on my day to day life. I could share that connection with my Aunt we would discuss the artists, their lyrics, what meaning we think the artist’s wanted to bring across and also our train of thought in our own day to day lives. As the year’s went buy the Pop Shop’s kept us company when we were apart and also gave us a closely bonded relationship where we could talk freely about puberty, sex, relationships, marriage and eventually divorce.

I would only play my lp’s once a year and then copy them directly to tape. On tape format I would make a further 20 copies. Because I would listen to them everyday. From 1983 to 1991 I had worn out 620 cassettes. My records from Pop Shop 19 – 51 only get played once a year and they are in mint condition.

Sadly in 2000, my Aunt passed away due to cancer. I inherited her Pop Shop LP’s, CD’s and cassettes and when I started listening to the first Pop Shop released in July ’77. I realised that it was released on my birthday in July!

The Pop Shop series carried on until the number 51 and then stopped in 1991 due to the record press factories in South Africa closing down. This made room for CD planting presses. Out of the Pop Shop series only Pop Shop 46 -51 made it to CD. The rest were all records and cassettes.

Since 2000, I travel to SA twice a year to scavenge the Johannesburg and Cape Town area for Pop Shop records, cassettes and CD’s in mint condition. If any of the readers have Pop Shop records, cassette’s and CD’s in mint condition. I would like to purchase them from you.

My e-mail address is etienne110@hotmail.com

These records have a huge sentimental value and with everyone I collect, I recall drinking wine with my Aunt in front of the stereo listening to one of these spectacular Pop Shop records. Having pillow fights with my Aunt in the wee hours of the morning in the lounge with a Pop Shop cassette playing. Having deep and meaningful conversations about life in the lounge with the stereo in the background and a Pop Shop lp on the turntable. I miss my Aunt very much.

I’m asking the readers to please open up your record vaults, if you have a mint Pop Shop record with no scratches or dust patches, cassette or cd in their please get in touch. I would like to purchase it from you.

Thanks very much for your assistance in helping me find these Pop Shop’s.

Best Regards

Etienne Rudolph-Light

Email: etienne110@hotmail.com