Taunton shopkeeper restores U2 Grammy (From Somerset County Gazette)

Taunton shopkeeper restores U2 Grammy

8:40pm Thursday 11th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A GRAMMY award presented to rock giants U2 is now back in One piece thanks to a Taunton craftsman.

Stuart Allcock, of Alpha Trophies, in Station Road, has been restoring the award, which was given in for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal in 1987 for The Joshua Tree album.

Stuart said: “I don’t know how it got damaged but apparently it had been left broken in a cupboard for years.”

The Sweetest Thing for Stuart was that one of the band’s management team got in touch after typing in ‘trophy repairs’ into Google.

“When I took the call I almost felt like I had Vertigo.

“My Desire was to get it looking as good as new and after some skilled welding, the cast iron piece was completely re-sprayed.

“It was actually a rather disappointing trophy, considering its history, but I’m full of Pride at the end result and I’m delighted to be associated with such a prestigious award."

So did handling a piece of music history leave Stuart on Edge?

“It wasn’t nerve-wracking but I was uncomfortable when I had to give it to someone else for the spot welding. It was a Beautiful Day when I sent it back to the band.

“I’m a fan of U2 and I went to one of the Joshua Tree gigs in 1987.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)