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Eric Gatling has been collecting vinyl ever since 1973 when his father took him to buy his very first 7”, "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet. Over the last 40 years he's built up a comprehensive collection of records and memorabilia reflecting his passion for artists such as Nick Lowe, The Men They Couldn't Hang and especially, Elvis Costello.
As a hospital director in the NHS, Eric has no professional connection with the music business, yet he possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of facts and trivia relating to his collection. He once experienced the pleasure of having one of his great idols, Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby play a full live gig in his living room.
What do you collect and why?
Everything recorded — and in every format — by Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric, Nick Lowe and The Men They Couldn't Hang, as well as a whole variety of other punk and glam rock artists. I was immediately attracted to the sounds and images of these rock stars. Over the years that has turned into something of an obsession, following them and collecting more than just standard issue items.
How big is your collection?
I've around 1,000 LPs, 2,000 CDs 700 singles and 200 cassettes, plus stacks of memorabilia including enamel badges, two gold discs, various white labels, promos, posters and promotional items. Among this little lot there are nearly 950 LPs, CDs and singles by Elvis Costello and some 300 recordings by Wreckless Eric, not counting compilations and soundtracks. All of my discs are listed on a personally built database to minimise the risk of buying duplicates.
What do you think it is worth?
No idea — but to me it's priceless. There are all sorts of ..... within.
How and where do you store it?
It's kept all over the house, with some in every room. There are even some posters hung up on the walls in the hall.
What's the newest/most unusual/most valuable item that you own?
It's likely to be the two gold discs. The first one awarded to Elvis Costello was given to him in 1978 for sales of My Aim Is True in Canada, with the disc going to Nick Lowe who was producer on that album.
What elusive gems are you still looking for?'
There's always something I'm after. One item I'm especially looking for is a vinyl copy of Brutal Youth credited as Elvis Costello and The Attractions. Apparently a very small number were produced, but I've yet to see one.
What record collecting events have given you your biggest thrill?
Obtaining any release or variant that's unlisted on any published discography always makes my heart beat faster. There have been times when the very first that Eric Goulden has learnt of the existence of a particular Wreckless Eric record is by witnessing it for himself, nestling there among my own collection. Imagine that! Then there's always the simple pleasure of opening a newly delivered package to smell the record I've just acquired inside...
How do you track stuff down?
I look on eBay nearly every day, but I also love to rummage around record fairs, as well as record and charity shops, especially when I'm visiting a new town.
What's your favourite record shop?
When I was a teenager in the late 70s, Round Ear Records in Chepstow was the place responsible for infecting me with the collecting bug. Now, because of the variety it has to offer, it has to be eBay. Unfortunately, though, postage costs and changes to import tax are making this an increasingly prohibitive and less attractive way of buying records.
How often do you listen to the records in your collection?
Not as much as I would like. I play a selection of CDs every day in the car, to and from work. Vinyl is mainly an exclusive weekend pleasure.
Is there a visual side to collecting for you?
Absolutely, I love seeing sleeve and label variations for the same record, with different designs heralding from around the world. Barney Bubbles' distinctive artwork for releases by Stiff, F-Beat and Demon should be regarded as modern masterpieces.
How will you eventually dispose of your record collection?
I'll give it to my children for them to create a museum.
What's your all-time favourite record, regardless of value or rarity?
"Radio, Radio" by Elvis Costello And The Attractions. This was the first Costello 7" I ever bought, and the 12" promotional copy was the first real collectable I acquired. More recently, I've added a 12" white-label test pressing of this fantastic record to my collection. What a song, what memories!
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