Relive rare 1975 footage of Dungannon's Square as Stewart's Music Shop celebrates 41 years in business

Forty-one years ago, one of Dungannon's most iconic stores opened its doors for the first time.

To mark its anniversary, Gene Stewart’s Music Shop has released a rare film of the town’s bustling streets in their former glory.

The shop opened its doors for the first time on Thursday 27th November 1975, as Gene Stuart’s Record Shop and has attracted some of the biggest names in the country and pop music industries, including Philomena Begley, Nathan Carter and Brian Coll.

In more recent years, the shop saw huge crowds of Garth Brooks fans camping out on Irish Street to snap up tickets to his ill fated Irish concerts at Croke Park. While the music scene has witnessed many exciting changes since 1975, Stewart’s Music Shop has remained a family run business.

Country stars including Philomena Begley, Brendan Quinn, Brian Coll, Eileen King and Brian Harkin were among the stars who along to celebrate with Gene & Jimmy as they began the first days trading (Raymond was still in school!)

The new shop promised to ‘cater fully for all musical tastes with a large stock of album and singles, as well as a wide selection of both cassettes & cartridges. In addition there will be record players, tape players and accessories by all leading manufactures”.

While the music scene has witnessed many exciting changes since 1975, Stewart’s Music Shop has remained a family run business. In celebration of our birthday year, here are some fun facts you might not have known about 1975!

A download in 1975 was someone standing at the speaker outside with a tape recorder recording the music - this was really common!

· Vinyl records were called LPs or Singles.

· Queen Released Bohemian rhapsody – one of our biggest sellers ever

· Elvis was 39

· Philomena Begley got her hands on the blanket on the ground

· Foster & Allen got together.

· Jimmy learned how to work a till for the first time

· Glen Campbell’s -Rhinestone Cowboy was the big Country Song

. Bertie Finley & Fergie Archer were the go-to men in Irish Street to get a lawn mower fixed.

You can follow updates on the Stewart’s Music Shop Facebook page.