DADDY G of Massive Attack was a surprise guest at Longwell Records’ farewell party in Keynsham.
He dropped in at the independent store in Temple Street on its last day of trading before its move to its new location in Clifton Arcade, Bristol.
Owner Iain Aitchison was surprised and delighted by the unannounced visit of Daddy G, made even more special by the fact that Massive Attack are his favourite band.
He said: “He just turned up because he wanted to say goodbye to the shop, which is amazing. When I saw him coming in, I was like, wow, what’s going on here?”
“Loads of people were in awe, but a lot of the people there know him as a friend.”
Also thrilled to see Daddy G – the stage name of Grant Marshall – was Iain’s daughter Maisie, 21, a singer whose performances include Massive Attack covers.
At the farewell party, customers danced to live music and DJ sets from acts including Bristol artists Gardna, appearing before a tour of Japan, and Ray Mighty from Smith & Mighty.
Iain said he wanted to ensure a good selection of male and female acts and that it was the women who “brought the party.”
He decided to close the Temple Street shop after almost 10 years because it had been struggling financially in recent times and needs more customers to survive.
Longwell Records was due to reopen in its new location in Clifton Arcade on January 31.
Iain described the farewell party on January 17 as “pretty amazing”, adding: “It was obviously really bittersweet because I don’t really want to leave Keynsham, but it’s a new journey.”
However, Iain hopes to maintain Longwell Record’s link with the town by running a pop-up stall at Wild About Flowers during the monthly Keynsham Farmers’ Market.
Pictured top, Daddy G with singer Maisie, the daughter of Longwell Records’ owner Iain Aitchison
Below, the farewell party in full swing.
