A cherished piece of punk rock history has been meticulously restored to its former glory in a heartwarming episode of the BBC's beloved series, The Repair Shop. The programme's experts successfully revived a broken Hohner Cembalet electric piano that once belonged to Dave Greenfield, the legendary keyboardist of the iconic band The Stranglers.
A Musical Relic with a Storied Past
The instrument was brought into the workshop by Toby Hounsham, the current keyboard player for The Stranglers, who inherited the non-functional piano as a gift from the band. Greenfield, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 71 from Covid, used this very keyboard to record and perform classic hits like No More Heroes, Peaches, and the timeless Golden Brown. His distinctive playing style became a signature sound for the group, which has sold over 40 million records worldwide.
Toby Hounsham explained the profound significance of the instrument to the restoration team, stating, "This used to belong to Dave Greenfield who was the keyboard player of The Stranglers. This is actually the keyboard that he recorded all the big hits. He toured with it for hundreds and hundreds of gigs - hence all these battle scars. Every mark on it tells a story."
From Fan to Band Member: Toby's Journey
The episode also delved into Toby Hounsham's personal connection to the band and its late keyboardist. He recounted how Greenfield had been his hero since childhood, inspiring him to pursue keyboard playing. "One hundred per cent he is my hero. I am a keyboard player myself and Dave inspired me to play the keyboards," Toby shared.
His path to joining The Stranglers began years earlier when he met Dave at an aftershow party. After his own band, Rialto, faced setbacks, Greenfield offered encouragement on a signed napkin that read, 'Don't give up the keyboards.. all the best...' This gesture proved hugely motivating for Toby.
Following Greenfield's passing in 2020, Toby received a life-changing phone call inviting him to join The Stranglers as their new keyboardist. "I remember that first moment where JJ (Jean-Jacques Burnel) started his bass up and did the beginning of No More Heroes. It was a classic riff and I had hairs on the back of my neck," he recalled emotionally.
The Meticulous Restoration Process
Faced with the challenge of reviving this piece of musical heritage, the Repair Shop team, including woodwork expert Will Kirk and organ restorer Dave Burville, undertook a comprehensive refurbishment. Restorer Dave expressed his awe, saying, "This is unbelievable. This is history before us. As a kid I remember listening to records of The Stranglers so I feel really privileged to work on this instrument."
The restoration involved several intricate steps:
- Stripping the keyboard back to its bare bones to assess the internal damage.
- Cleaning and refurbishing the reeds and keys to restore their original functionality.
- Vintage electronics expert Mark Stuckey working on the internal mechanics to get the instrument producing sound again.
- Applying a special protective polish to the outer casing to enhance its original 'golden brown' colour and preserve its character.
An Emotional Reveal and Tribute
Upon returning to the workshop after the restoration was complete, Toby Hounsham was visibly moved as he played snippets of No More Heroes and Golden Brown on the now-functional keyboard. "Wow! I'm speechless. That is the sound! This is incredible. You have kept the character perfectly," he exclaimed.
He reflected on the instrument's legacy, adding, "Dave recorded all those iconic songs and played them live on these keys. I cannot thank you enough. It has blown my mind... I'd like to think Dave would approve."
The successful restoration not only brought a broken instrument back to life but also preserved a tangible connection to a pivotal era in British music history, allowing future generations to appreciate the sounds that defined The Stranglers' iconic career.
