To this day, the most money Johnny has spent on one record dates back to his Smiths days. “I spent L80 or L90 on a version of The Rolling Stones’ Out Of Our Heads,” he recalls. “I was obsessed withthat album in The Smiths; I’ve got seven versions of it – two American editions, a German pressing… A friend spent L500 on The Velvet Underground’s first album in its original wrapping, but I can’t be bothered withthat side of collecting. I have to play it! I’m lucky, because fans have gifted me some amazing records, like an original version of The Stooges’ Raw Power.”
Johnny’s favourite record shop is veteran Manchester treasure trove Kingbee. “They’ve stayed open for so long because their prices are fair,” he reasons. “I found an early John Barry record there for L17 recently.”