One of the UK’s oldest record shops has been honoured with a blue plaque, recognising its role in Liverpool’s rich musical heritage.
The Musical Box, based in Tuebrook, once counted Beatles legend John Lennon and Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly among its regulars.
The shop, owned by Tony and Paula Quinn, has been in the family for four generations. Mrs Quinn said the family were “deeply honoured” by the tribute.
She explained that the store had recently undergone a facelift led by her son Craig. “The unveiling will be a special moment for all of us,” she added, noting that Tony’s mother Diane, now in her 80s, had taken over the shop from her own mother Dorothy.
The blue plaque has been developed through a collaboration between Liverl pool City Council’s heritage team and the UNESCO City of Music team.
Antiques Roadshow expert Wayne Colqhoun, who proposed the upstairs be converted into a small museum, will unveil the plaque.
Former Beatles drummer Pete Best recalled how he and John Lennon were regular visitors before the band found fame. Shankly, meanwhile, famously visited in 1972 to buy the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards’ number one hit Amazing Grace.
Kevin McManus, of UNESCO City of Music, said: “Last time I was in the Musical Box I bought a heart-shaped red vinyl limited edition of Pete Wylie’s Heart As Big As Liverpool. I bought it even though I had the track on about five other versions of it on different CDs but I wanted it on vinyl.”
He added: “Many years ago I wrote a book about country music in Liverpool and many of the musicians I spoke to mentioned the Musical Box and I began to learn more about its long history. It is another small element of what makes Liverpool a special music city.”
Liverpool was officially named a UNESCO City of Music in 2015, a recognition that confirmed what many already knew. The city has produced talent across the decades, from The Beatles to modern stars such as Jamie Webster, The Mysterines and Red Rum Club.
Other UNESCO Cities of Music have also invested in preserving and promoting their musical heritage. In Almaty, Kazakhstan, open-air festivals such as AlmaFest showcase both folk traditions and modern pop, while new infrastructure like the Multimedia Traditional Music Centre ensures young artists have space to develop.
In the United States, Kansas City, Missouri celebrates its legacy as the birthplace of swing and bebop. Visitors can explore the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum, and venues where Charlie Parker and other icons transformed American music.
These examples show how music connects history, people and place. Just as Almaty’s folk improvisation and Kansas City’s jazz roots are preserved and celebrated, Liverpool’s recognition of The Musical Box reflects the city’s ongoing effort to protect and honour its living music culture.
The Musical Box’s blue plaque now stands as a symbol of how local, family-run record shops continue to play a vital role in keeping Liverpool’s music heritage alive — and keeping the city at the heart of the world’s music map.
