“It is a proper rock and roll shop, like music shops used to be years ago - it’s the real deal.”

Billy Lockwood describes Access All Areas, the “good old-fashioned” music shop in Brearton Street, Bradford, which he runs.“It is a place where musicians can come to hang out, have a coffee and try out instruments.”

Access All Areas - the name not only relates to the blanket access given to musicians at concert venues, but “alphabetically it’s first when you look it up,” - offers instruments, expert tuition and all things musical.

Instruments from drum kits to saxophones, ukuleles and mandolins are on sale, as well as accessories such as music stands and amplifiers.

“People love the atmosphere,” says Billy, who used to work in Woods Music Store in Manningham Lane, which closed in 2007. “They come in and have a go, it’s very relaxed and we can help if they need it.”

Billy has been a professional drummer for 40 years and has taught drumming since 1989. He also teaches guitar and bass guitar.

Other instruments - saxophone, clarinet and keyboard - are taught by other qualified tutors.

“We have tutors here in the building and a tuition room,” he says. “People of all ages come for tuition - from age five to over 80. There are old jazz guys in their seventies and eighties who have carried on playing.”

Tuition includes working towards exam grades. “We are busy - some come weekly for tuition, others come fortnightly.”

Special drumming workshops are also held on the premises.

Access All Areas started out as Buddy’s Drum Centre - named after American drumming legend Buddy Rich.

Teaching music is extremely rewarding says Billy, who also tutors in schools across Bradford.

“I enjoy seeing the results, seeing how people begin to read music and master the instrument. It is not like pressing buttons on a computer to make sounds, it is the real thing.

“Music brings a lot of happiness to people - when they can play along to their favourite songs. Some say ‘I am too old  to learn an instrument' - I say ‘you are never too old'."

One talented pupil, Louis Moorhouse, is blind, and loves drumming. “He came to me aged five and is in his early twenties now,” says Billy.

Many a well-known name frequents the shop including Paul Fenton, drummer with T. Rex, Magnum’s Mark Stanway, Pete Spencer of Smokie and the Chris Norman band and John Cooper Clarke.

Billy developed an interest in music while at school. “I was fascinated by The Police. I saw them play on TV. They were at the top of their game at the time, and especially their drummer Stewart Copeland’s drumming, in particular, had a big influence on me.

“I began working with musicians, including some top names and worked my way up over many years. It was all I ever wanted to do.”

Billy describes drumming as “like a workout.”

“A drum kit is a very exciting instrument - it is so diverse, you can do so much on it. Drumming is physically demanding, it is very stimulating - you get both sides of your brain working. It’s very exciting.”

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