Greenwich Market store selling Fenders, Gibsons and more, opened by Leogun singer songwriter Tom Smith is turning two
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
“My parents weren’t musical, but they were both very passionate about music – they’d cry over tracks that would move them – and that emotional connection was normal from a very young age for me,” said Tom Smith, founder of Tom’s Guitar Shop in Greenwich Market.
“One day, my mum was playing some Led Zeppelin at home and I told her I wanted to be in the band – I was about seven, so I didn’t really understand that wasn’t a thing you could do.
“But she listened and said she’d better get me a guitar.
“For three years I had classical lessons, but it wasn’t what I’d signed up for. I wanted to be in Led Zeppelin – to plug in, play loud and to have long hair.
“Sitting and playing Spanish Lullaby was not what I’d had in mind, although a part of me knew it was a necessary step.”
Having got into grammar school, Tom decided to put music aside and knuckle down to his studies.
This lasted two terms before he picked up the guitar again. Then the internet arrived and with it videos of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant doing their thing.
“I bought a book of their music and set to work,” said Tom.
“By the time I was 12 or 13 I was in bands and playing live shows.
“Mum would drop us off, we’d play a show to a bunch of older men who were smoking and drinking and then she’d pick us up.”
Having gigged extensively in south-east London at the likes of the Amersham Arms, The Birds Nest and the Montague Arms to build a local following, Tom went networking on behalf of his band Leogun.
Blagging his way backstage at gigs, he managed to secure a meeting with Rocket Music – Elton John’s management company.
musical networking success
“He came to one of our gigs and then introduced us to the Yamaha Entertainment Group label and they invited us to Nashville to record an album,” said Tom.
“People say we just exploded out of nowhere, but then I tell them about the 200-odd gigs a year for half a decade and that tells a different story.
“We were a cut above most garage, college, school bands at that time but then we landed in Nashville and realised we needed to sharpen everything up really quickly.
“It was amazing to be around some of those incredible players and to see them through 22 and 23-year-old eyes.
“We only released music in the States, but we did well, going on three US tours with the likes of Kiss and Lynyrd Skynyrd, so I got to share the stage with some of my heroes.
“We played in 35 states overall and drove to most of the rest, so we really did America.
“I was expected to be the lead singer, songwriter, performer and representative of the band.
“I wasn’t very adept at social media, however – never have been – and a big part of being an artist these days is also being an influencer.
“I didn’t mind documenting what Leogun were doing musically, but I didn’t enjoy the influencing.
“One of the great things about Led Zeppelin, was their mystique, the lack of interviews.
“I found myself relating to my life less and less – so I decided to return to the UK to do some recordings.
“Officially I moved back in 2023 – the goalposts felt like they were getting closer and closer together – I just wanted to regain some autonomy, but I didn’t want to turn my back on music.”
founding Tom’s Guitar Shop
Initially Tom considered opening a rock’n’roll bar, but followed sage advice from his mum that it might “truncate” his life, instead opting for a different path.
“I did the next best thing,” he said. “I opened a guitar shop right next to a pub and it’s been wonderful.
“I love guitars and I love playing them.
“I’m not a guitar snob in any way or a guitar nerd.
“A nerd knows all about them and a snob thinks some are better than others, but I’m neither.
“I know something about them but at heart I’m intrigued by them all.
“I like vintage stuff, I’m very analogue and that’s reflected to some extent in our range of guitars, basses and amps.”
Having opened nearly two years ago, Tom’s Guitar Shop offers a wide range of instruments from starter acoustics and electrics through mid-priced workhorses to vintage rarities and curiosities.
trading instruments of all levels
“To start the shop I sold everything I owned except one guitar and then went shopping for stock,” said Tom.
“Rotosound is a wonderful company that really helped me out – they said they believed in what I was doing and they gave me some stock to help get me started.
“It’s been an amazingly positive experience.
“We’ve become a hub not just for musicians but for locals popping in to say hello.
“People are welcome to come here and to try any of the instruments.
“We also have a fully functioning workshop so everything we sell comes fully set up and ready to play.
“We’ll always have entry level guitars – which is really important because one of the things that stops beginners playing is a sub-standard instrument – but we’re constantly evolving.
“I thought I’d be buying and selling middle-of-the-road guitars, but all of sudden we’ve got 1950s Fenders and Gibsons, vintage Gretschs and guitars from the 1930s on the wall.
“That’s the shop having its own charisma.
“When I started I really wanted to create a place where people would come in, sit down and take their time.
“I have lots of favourites – there’s the 1958 Stratocaster and a 1956 Precision Bass that’s 100% original and museum quality.
“People come in for the curiosities and I absolutely love this little 1920s parlour guitar I found in a shop in Chicago that’s made by Stella.
“I also offer guitar lessons for beginners and players at all levels before the shop opens. I adore teaching.
“Getting people off the ground is great, showing them the fundamentals, a few chords, especially those who’ve said they couldn’t learn to play.
“When youngsters show enthusiasm, and you teach them something, you see their eyes sparkle – that’s amazing.”
key details: Tom’s Guitar Shop
Tom’s Guitar Shop is located in Greenwich Market and is open from 11am-7pm, Tuesday to Sunday and from noon -7pm on Mondays.
Find out more about the store here
Read more: Whole Foods Market opens its doors in Canary Wharf
Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
