Jennings: agents for Wurlitzer organs, 1961

Below, a short note in the music trade press, January 1961: Jennings now the agent for Wurlitzer organs in southern England. The organs in view are described as being "entertainment" models, doubtless for home use, though some were evidently suitable for church - at any rate not the beautiful but gargatuan "Theatre" models (as in Blackpool Tower Ballroom, for instance). The "Side Man" was a sort of primitive drum machine.

At least one Wurlitzer is known to have been at the Dartford Road works in the early 1960s, seen by Robert Valentine, who worked for JMI from 1960 to 1964. Thanks to Robert for the info.

January 1961.

So far as one can tell, JMI applied to become an agent. Wurlitzer issued three full-page adverts in the high-brow music press (June, October and December 1960) asking for applications.

December 1960.

Detail.

For northern England, Wurlitzer had evidently already selected "Smith Sons and Company" of Manchester:

November 1961.

What happened in the months after January 1961 is still unclear though. By January 1962 Harrods (the department store) had replaced JMI as agent for southern England (named as such in the full page advert belwo). Harrods had an important keyboard instrument department in the late 1950s / early 1960s and held an annual trade fair.

January 1962.

Detail.

As for "Temple Wright Limited" - mentioned in the advert from December 1960 reproduced towards the top of this page (and numerous others throughout the early 1960s) - it may be that the company simply handled "Church" organs in the south of England for Wurlitzer. Few (if any) British companies parceled out distribution in this way though. Selmer and its agents certainly dealt in all types without regard for end use - "Home", "Professional / Entertainment", and "Church" - so too Jennings's agents.