Musical Monopoly: Allans Music and Billy Hyde bought by AMI/Gallin’s Music

In September this year, Allans Music & Billy Hyde announced it would be closing its doors, sending shockwaves throughout the industry with many predicting mass job losses and increased online purchasing overseas.

Well known and loved in the opera, music theatre, and musical fraternities, Allans Music’s flagship stores in Southport (Qld), Sydney, Alexandria, Parramatta (all NSW), Adelaide (SA), Blackburn and Bourke Street, Melbourne (Vic) have been selling their stock in a liquidation sale with enormous discounts for the past two months.

This week, after intense negotiations with the receivers it was announced that Con Gallin – Managing Director of Australian Musical Imports (AMI) and Gallin’s Musician’s Pro Shop – has successfully purchased the bulk of the failed company’s assets. These include the trading names Allans Music and Billy Hyde, Allans Billy Hyde, Australian Music Group, Musiclink and Intermusic together with their associated domain names and websites, effective immediately.

Gallin also confirmed that the flagship stores, along with the majority of the staff currently working in these stores, will remain. A welcomed decision, and fitting too, as Gallin himself has an affinity with Allans Music from his youth.

“My first job part time while at school was at Allans Music in Collins Street, Melbourne, and now I bought the company. Although it wasn’t an easy decision as it’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to rejuvenate these stores”, said Gallin.

“We couldn’t sit back and let Allans’ 160 year history and Billy Hyde’s 50 year history of supplying instruments to musicians disappear forever. Mozart bought his first keyboard somewhere 250 years ago and The Beatles bought guitars and drums 50 years ago – the world will always need music and music stores offer everyone an opportunity to create it!”

The current liquidation sale taking place in the Allans Billy Hyde stores will continue with AMI/Gallin’s adding additional stock from their warehouse and suppliers to give consumers additional discounted items right in time for Christmas.

“Our passion is to be the best musical industry business in Australia for the benefit of our customers, both beginners and professional. Music and musicians is what it’s all about and the only reason we exist.”

AMI/Gallin’s Musician’s Pro Shop opened their first store in Chapel Street, Prahran in 1989, and in the ensuing 23 years have successfully opened stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast. The addition of the Allans Billy Hyde stores brings the total music stores operated by Mr. Gallin to thirteen.