Rushworth's Music House

James Brady was front and center during the MIDI boom, working within the keyboard department at Rushworth’s Music House in Liverpool. The year was 1986 and the synthesizer was at its peak in popularity. As a musician, who was already using electric keyboards and analog synths to create his own music, James was the perfect person to help the famous music store’s clients. It was a very exciting time, but challenging. James recalls working hard to stay on top of the every advancing technology so he could be as helpful as possible to his customers. He also recalls the day the first s

Cathy MacLaughlin started learning to play guitar when she was only 8 years old, taking lessons from her brother on his Hofner guitar which was purchased from Rushworth's on the Wirral across the Mersey river made famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers in the movie Ferry Across the Mersey. When she was just 17, Cathy started working in Cranes, a musical instrument shop on Hanover Street in Liverpool. Cranes is situated in the heart of the town centre and sold organs, pianos and guitars as well as sheet music.

Dave McCluskey was like so many of his peers growing up in Liverpool after the Beatles who joined a rock band. He started off on guitar but switched to bass. In 1988 he landed the perfect job that allowed him to gig at night, while working in music retail during the day. Dave was a salesman for Rushworth's Music House, one of the largest music stores in Liverpool. He loved the store and  also loved Liverpool for all that the city had done for music. Since the store closed in the 1990s, Dave has become a writer with each of his books always including a little nod to Liverpool.

Dave Nicholas was just four years old when he began playing a piano that was left in their new house when they moved in the 1930s. The previous owner had purchased the piano on monthly payments and Dave’s father decided to take over the payments while arranging lessons for young Dave. He later started playing the organ and while working at various holiday camps he met many British entertainment stars including Bud Flanagan and Johnny Ball. After securing a job as an organ salesman at Rushworth & Dreaper in 1971 he was approached by the Royal Philharmonic Hall to play organ in

David Rushworth started in the family business, Rushworth's Music House, in 1966 when he was in his early twenties after leaving University. David quickly moved up through the ranks from junior salesman to manager, selling transistor radios and pianos. Eventually, he became director of the company when his father retired. David had the personal touch and was well-liked by his employees, some of whom he stayed in touch with long after the store closed. David also owns the rights to the iconic photo of John Lennon and George Harrison being presented with Gibson guitars in the Rushwo