Gallin’s Musician’s Pro Shop has thrown Allans Billy Hyde a lifeline.
Gallins
Con Gallin announced this afternoon that his company Australian Musical Imports has bought Allans Music and Billy Hyde as well as Australian Music Group, Musiclink and Intermusic, their associated domain names and websites.
A previous bid to buy Allans Billy Hyde failed for Con Gallin.
The flagship stores at Southport (Qld), Sydney, Alexandria, Parramatta (all NSW), Adelaide (SA) and Blackburn and Bourke Street, Melbourne (Vic) will continue to trade. Mr. Gallin also confirmed today that the majority of the staff currently working in these stores will remain.
Allans Billy Hyde was placed into receivership in August, 2012.
In a statement Con said, “My first job part time while at school was at Allans Music in Collins Street, Melbourne, and now I bought the company, although it wasn’t an easy decision as it’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to rejuvenate these stores.
“We couldn’t sit back and let Allans’ 160 year history and Billy Hyde’s 50 year history of supplying instruments to musicians disappear forever. Mozart bought his first keyboard somewhere 250 years ago and The Beatles bought guitars and drums 50 years ago – the world will always need music and music stores offer everyone an opportunity to create it!”
“Our passion is to be the best musical industry business in Australia for the benefit of our customers, both beginners and professional. Music and musicians is what it’s all about and the only reason we exist.”
It is good news for the Australian music business. Clayton Doughty of Gibson Australia commented, “From a Gibson Guitar perspective this is fantastic news and a real win for Australian artists. Australia has such a proud musical history, especially when it comes to great guitarists like Angus Young, Ian Moss, Diesel, Billy Thorpe, John Brewster, Brad Shepherd, Ian Haug and Dan Sultan to name a few. I expect that this announcement to allow the next generation of artists to continue to develop their passion for playing.”
The purchase of Allans Billy Hyde is effective immediately.
