Frank Murphy

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Founder
Company Name
Frailers Guitar & Banjo Shop

Frank Murphy opened Frailers Guitar & Banjo Shop, which is situated in Runcorn, Cheshire on the banks of the River Mersey - just southeast of Liverpool England. The store was established as a retail outlet of quality new and used vintage stringed instruments from Dobros to Martin guitars. Frank sold instruments to many famous musicians including Fairport Convention, Joe Bonamassa, Rory Gallagher, Catfish Keith, Whitesnake, acclaimed banjo players Tony Ellis, Jack Hatfield, and many more. Frank started playing guitar while living in London and later became accomplished on the banjo. As a teenager he trained to be a sports journalist and is still a passionate boxing and football fan. During his teenage days in Liverpool in the 1960s, he saw the city’s most popular groups - which were eventually to become household names such as the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers in such iconic clubs as the Cavern and the Iron Door. Frank has a large database of regular customers who often visit the shop for advice through his expertise and knowledge of acoustic instruments both vintage and modern. He often visits vintage guitar shows in the US and in the UK.