Good Vibrations: Belfast music store is back in business
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
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One of Northern Ireland’s best loved record stores is back in business after an absence of 15 years.
Good Vibrations, which made its name as both a record retailer and independent recording label in the last 1970s, opened its doors to the public again this week.
The relaunch rounds off a memorable year for its owner, music mogul Terri Hooley, in which he revived his record label and received a letter of support from former US President Bill Clinton. Work also began this year on a film about his life.
In February Terri received the Legend Award at the prestigious Fate Awards in Belfast. The gong was presented to him by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.
Now operating out of a three-storey building in Belfast’s Winetavern Street, Good Vibes started life in 1977 from a derelict building in Great Victoria Street, which quickly became a hub for musicians and artists looking for an escape from the Troubles.
The arrival of the punk rock era saw Terri release his first single on the Good Vibrations label, which famously included Teenage Kicks by The Undertones, a song that propelled the young Londonderry band to stardom and the record label to global recognition.
The store closed in 1992 but Terri continued to run other music shops, including Vintage Records, destroyed in an arson attack on North Street Arcade in April 2004.
Sadly, Terri lost his priceless record collection and the history of Good Vibes in the blaze.
Coincidentally, his new store will be officially opened this Saturday, July 26, by guitarist Billy Harrison, whom Terri was introducing on stage at the Empire when he first received news of the fire. But Terri has refused to let the arsonists beat him and last night, he spoke of his delight at the reopening of Good Vibes.
“I’m not often lost for something to say but words cannot describe how thrilled I am to be going back to my roots and and relaunching Good Vibes,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful time to be reopening the store as Belfast has undergone a massive transformation in terms of tourism and visitors to the city. Good Vibes is steeped in history so in that respect, it’s much more than a record shop, it’s also a tourist attraction for anyone with a real interest in music.”
The Good Vibes record label is also undergoing a resurgence and September will see the release of the first album on the label in 17 years, by The Minnows, the first album on the label in 17 years.
Terri said: “For a number of reasons Good Vibes has been away for too long and its return has been long overdue.
“The Minnows and Good Vibrations go back a long way and the launch of the band’s new album is another important milestone in the company’s revival, as it’s one of the best albums from these parts in many years.”
Saturday’s official opening is by invitation only, followed by a launch party at the Spring and Airbrake. Tickets can be purchased in advance for £5 or at the door for £7.
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hey Terri great news about the shop,I remember well it was Paul Mcanns abode! hope to call when Doc and I come to big river blues fest
good luck
Babalou Brenda x o x
Posted by brenda | 07.08.08, 03:20 GMT
All the best on your re-opening.
Hope everything goes well in the future.
Laurence Boyd (Spotty Muldoon)
Posted by laurence | 27.07.08, 15:08 GMT
The Phoenix has definitely risen from the ashes. It's great news.
To celebrate there will be a relaunch party at the Spring and Airbreak Ormeau Avenue Belfast on Saturday 26th July .Doors open 9.00pm featuring live bands Doghouse, John D'Arcy and special guests plus Tardis DJ's.
Also in the pipeline for Autumn release "Time To Be Proud" a tribute CD to the Good Vibrations era . Many of our top local bands will be covering their favourite songs from the likes of The Undertones, SLF, Rudi and The Outcasts etc.
Well done Terri.
Posted by William | 24.07.08, 14:53 GMT
this is really great news - reading this reminds me of growing up in Belfast during the 1970's and 80's, was only listening to 'Big Time' the other night - I loved the shop as it was an Aladdin's cave of treats, but seem to remember that it absolutely reaked of health foods from the other shop downstairs!
Glad that things are up and running again..all the very best!
Posted by Robbie | 24.07.08, 14:24 GMT
Great News. Well done Terri.
Posted by Ian Wilson | 23.07.08, 21:38 GMT
Will Elvis be outside the door? That's suche brilliant news. Well don TH! You're still the man. Why not have a re-issue of some of the Good Vibrations classic 7 inch singles? Ha! that lammas fair record looks the biz. not as good asTEENAGE KICKS though! I'll be down to support you big man. BEST OF LUCK!! Love fom the belfast punks!
Posted by mad marty | 23.07.08, 19:55 GMT
Can anyone tell me if Good Vibrations will have a website?
Posted by Phil | 23.07.08, 06:41 GMT
Good On You Terry the news has reached us here in Australia ,I hope you have an online store for some Vintage punk clothing and recordings , as on my numerous visits to you Gt Victoria St store , You and Dennis the Dub vendor spend many an afternoon filling mail orders.
Love you Brother, Dougal
Posted by Dougal | 23.07.08, 05:31 GMT
Terri-fic to see and hear that the Good Vibes 'Phoenix' has risen and that the 'vintage' that is Terri Hooley is back where it belongs. Welcome back Terri... the great JP must be looking down with a smile on his face...
Posted by Brian | 22.07.08, 20:12 GMT
Great to see Terri and Good Vibes Back. I spent many's a Saturday on the Ulsterbus up to Belfast from Cushendall to buy records by the Undertones, Protex and Rudi. The influence of Good Vibes went well beyond Belfast for I remember attending a punk rock festival at the oul lammas fair in ballycastle in august 1977! Numerous rural punk bands also flourished such as Harpy O'Guinness and the Beerdroids with theier one non-hit wonder Punk Rock Riot at the Lammas Fair. Happy days. Thanks Terry! You've made an old punk very happy(again)!
Posted by Paul | 22.07.08, 17:03 GMT
GREAT NEWS! Delighted.
Posted by musicfan | 22.07.08, 10:53 GMT
Was delighted to read the news of Good Vibrations re-opening. I went to school in the city center during the 70's and this was a must see venue after a hard day slogging double maths! My dad who also owned a city centre record shop, recently passed away but I know he would be thrilled to see Good Vibes back in business.
For many people, music feeds the soul, long may the meal last - congratulations Terri....
Posted by Stephen | 22.07.08, 10:49 GMT