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The Guitar Collection of Guy Mackenzie

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More Tales From “A Reluctant Aristocrat”!

Posted on: 5th September 2024

Should Guy Now be the Owner of Sandringham? You Decide.

On page 11 Guy tells that his great grandfather, James Thompson Mackenzie, lent the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) about £100,000 secured on the deeds of Sandringham.

The loan is well documented (although the amount differs) including by Jane Ridley in her book “Bertie. A Life of Edward VII”.

Her book indicates that the loan was repaid (following an email exchange with Guy on 29th September 2017) apparently, initially, relying on a conversation she’d had with Penny Crowe – who had apparently obtained her information from Guy!!

But, in the same email, Jane Ridley did concede “It’s not possible to verify this, as there are no accounts of the Prince of Wales’s debts”

Just for the record, Guy confirms that the loan was never repaid.

Cornish Politics!

On page 117 Guy tells the story of the Audit Commission’s investigation into the delay of the award of the Kerrier Leisure Contract.

Surely the other “winner” of this debacle was Cllr Rex Sadler who was Chairman of the sub-Committee which kept delaying the award of the Contract!

Surprisingly to Guy and others, Cllr Rex Sadler was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours “For Services to Local Government in Cornwall”!!!

Dave (Showaddywaddy) Bartram’s Review of A Reluctant Aristocrat!

Posted on: 5th September 2024

Guy’s wide-ranging memoirs make for an intriguing and entertaining read. Indeed his much to be admired lust for life serves as a shining example to all would-be adventurers both young and somewhat longer in the tooth.

On a personal note; I can only say how thrilled I am that SHOWADDYWADDY’s much cherished ‘Blue Moon’ guitar remains in safe and trusted hands for the foreseeable future.

Dave Bartram
(Showaddywaddy)

A Reluctant Aristocrat is now available to order from all good bookshops. For more information, enquiries or to order direct please email: info@theguitarcollection.org.uk
A Reluctant Aristocrat is £12.60 or £15.00 including postage within the UK.

A Reluctant Aristocrat – Cadillac Update!

Posted on: 8th August 2024

On page 32 Guy tells the story of the rather battered Cadillac he bought in the States in 1980.

2024 update: The same car, restored and resprayed red, appeared in a Matthewson’s (of TV’s “Bangers and Cash”) auction where it sold for just £4,200 with a “believed genuine” mileage of 51,200! Ummm…. If only Guy had known!

A Reluctant Aristocrat is now available to order from all good bookshops. For more information, enquiries or to order direct please email: info@theguitarcollection.org.uk
A Reluctant Aristocrat is £12.60 or £15.00 including postage within the UK.

A Reluctant Aristocrat – A Life Changing Read!

Posted on: 9th July 2024

Well, at least for this happy reader!

“One of the highlights of my life was reading your book!”
George Buddy, Milton Keynes.

Photo of George Buddy sitting in a cafe reading the book "A Reluctant Aristocrat" by Guy Mackenzie.

George Buddy reading a copy of “A Reluctant Aristocrat” by Guy.

A Reluctant Aristocrat – Abroad!

Posted on: 6th June 2024

Well, my book anyway!

Photo of Joan Gracie, holding the book "A Reluctant Aristocrat" by Guy Mackenzie.

Joan Gracie (widow of Rock n Roll legend, Charlie Gracie) pictured at her home in the US reading my book!

“How wonderful…even Fabulous”!

A Reluctant Aristocrat – Interviewed!

Posted on: 24th January 2024

Guy Mackenzie was recently interviewed by BBC Cornwall’s Matt Shepherd. They chat about Guy’s new book (naturally!) – A Reluctant Aristocrat – and key points in Guy’s life:

List of Stockists:

A Reluctant Aristocrat is now available to order from all good bookshops. For more information, enquiries or to order direct please email: info@theguitarcollection.org.uk
A Reluctant Aristocrat is £12.60 or £15.00 including postage within the UK.

A New Book By… Guy Mackenzie!

Posted on: 8th September 2023

Guy Mackenzie of the Guitar Collection has written a memoir of his unconventional life!

“A Reluctant Aristocrat – Assorted Memories of My Unconventional Life” covers Guy’s early life in Scotland right up to developing and restoring Cornish properties. And yes! There’s a big section devoted to Guy’s guitar collection!

See list of stockists below or contact us at: info@theguitarcollection.org.uk.

 

List of Stockists:

A Reluctant Aristocrat is now available to order from all good bookshops. For more information, enquiries or to order direct please email: info@theguitarcollection.org.uk
A Reluctant Aristocrat is £12.60 or £15.00 including postage within the UK.

“I finished your book from end to end and loved it. It made the tube journeys into London and back, on my social evenings, fly by.”
Frank Allen, The Searchers.

“Thank you for the glowing mention of Supersound – it is very nice to know that all our hard work will not be forgotten.”
Mary Wootton (aged 93) who with her husband, Alan, formed Supersound Electronic Products (amps, guitars & basses) in 1952 and ran the Company until 1974!

“A most enjoyable & entertaining read that casts a lot more light on the varied life and exploits of the author”.
Gary Davies author of “Anniversary Strat” www.anniversarystrat.com

“A Reluctant Aristocrat: Assorted Memories of my Unconventional Life by Guy Mackenzie is his look through his life which took him though a series of experiences which, extraordinarily could be described as ‘iconic moments’ in the history of his times, and the places.”
Toni Carver, St Ives Times & Echo, April 12th, 2024
Full review available to read as a PDF download: St Ives Times & Echo review of A Reluctant Aristocrat (PDF, 13MB)

Phil Walker Star of The Story of Guitar Heroes and Jaime Lovett in 2019!

Posted on: 16th December 2019

Cornwall in July 2019

Phil played a range of The Guitar Collection’s choicest guitars and recorded these videos:

Newly restored 1977 Burns Mirage – played for the first time since being restored:

This Hondo with classic metal axe stylings, was also newly restored (and previously owned by Mott the Hoople!):

1999 Yamaha Pacifica 311/MS:

The fabulously named Yamaha SG-2A Flying Samurai:

Classic 1970s British guitar Burns Flyte:

The appropriately sparkly Tele-Star Sparkle:

The rare 1973 Yamaha SG-60T:

The totally unique Blue Moon Guitar:

Phil Walker also teamed up with his partner Jaime Lovett for a beautiful version of Autumn Leaves:

https://youtu.be/QsV49kHHwYg

Dorset in November:

The Guitar Collection’s Guy Mackenzie visited Phil and Jaime in Dorset in November. Here’s a selection of photos of Phil’s guitar collection:

And here’s Phil playing a banjo!

For more information including tour dates check out Phil’s website: Story of Guitar Heroes!

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll Show 2019

Posted on: 25th September 2019

Marty Wilde 80th Birthday

Full Interview with DJ Matt Shepherd

Posted on: 16th April 2018

Last year, Guy Mackenzie interviewed radio DJ, author, raconteur, musical historian & thoroughly nice guy Matt Shepherd!

The full, uncut interview is now available on The Guitar Collection YouTube Channel: