December 5th 2024.
Emilio and his family, including his father Bruno, have been a part of an iconic music shop that has been selling and repairing instruments to famous musicians for nearly 75 years. But now, Allodi Accordions Ltd in Lewisham, south east London, has been forced to shut down due to the toll it has taken on the family.
Bruno, who grew up playing the accordion in Parma, Italy, came to London in 1951 and started the business. His son Emilio took over 46 years ago and has since repaired and sold thousands of accordions, with his brother Claudio also being a professional player. The family name has become well-known in the music industry, with famous musicians such as Status Quo, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sheryl Crow all playing Allodi accordions.
One memorable moment for Emilio was when Paul McCartney's keyboardist used an Allodi accordion with the family name on it during a performance for Michelle Obama. Emilio's friends were quick to let him know about it, showing just how far the business had come.
But despite the success, the pressure of running the shop and constantly repairing instruments has taken a toll on Emilio's fingers, as he has developed arthritis. He also wants to spend more time with his family, but unfortunately, his children have not been as involved in the industry as he was with his own father.
Emilio's son had briefly worked at the shop, but customers would often compare him to his father, making him realize that the job was not for him. It's a bittersweet end for the family business, but Emilio is grateful for the memories and the impact they have had in the music world.
The Allodi family's accordions were once the largest stock in the country, with around 600 at one point. But now, after nearly 75 years of success, the shop has closed its doors for good. The closure has been met with sadness from the community, but Emilio and his family are ready to move on to the next chapter of their lives. And as for the iconic Allodi accordions, their legacy will live on in the music industry for years to come.
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