Tributes flood in for Edinburgh music scene legend Dougie Anderson of Coda Music

Tributes have been flooding in from musicians, friends and family for the former co-owner of a popular Edinburgh record shop, Dougie Anderson, who passed away just before Christmas in his home in Duddingston Village, aged 69.

Dougie who passed away in the weekend before Christmas will be fondly remembered by family, friends and artists.

Described as ‘patient’ and ‘kind’, 69 year-old Dougie, former co-owner of Coda Music worked in record shops for over 50 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for music with the people of Edinburgh.

Famous Scottish artists such as Amy Duncan and Iain Morrison have sent their well wishes to the family during this difficult period alongside other artists, friends and family who posted on the record shop’s Facebook page to pay tribute to the Edinburgh icon.

His son Mark Anderson who worked with his dad in the record shop for a period said: “We’ve had lots of nice messages for him from artists, family and friends and seeing all the nice comments on Coda Music Facebook page have been lovely to see.

Dougie enjoying a country walk with his grandson Brodie.

Describing his dad, Mark said: “He was always so patient and kind.

“During lockdown, I got into the habit of phoning him everyday so that’s going to be really tough when I go back to work and I don’t have that.”

After a career with Bruce’s Record Shop as a teenager and then with Virgin Music, Dougie opened Coda Music in 1990 with business partner Rose Norton and dedicated 30 years of his life to nurturing the business.

Although the pair originally had three other shops in Waverley Centre (now Princes Mall), Glenrothes and Livingston, their stalwart shop based on The Mound specialised in Folk music and attracted many famous names such as Mumford and Sons, Seth Lakeman, Karine Polwart and Roddy Woomble with their live folk gigs.

Dougie and the team outside Coda Music.

“It’s hard to imagine in times like this but the shop was always crammed when the live gigs were on,” said Mark.

A teenager in the Summer of Love, Dougie was a fan of 60s psychedelia but had a varied taste in music with a honed in knowledge of folk he loved to share with customers.

“He was good with customers and he was always good at talking to them and always very knowledgeable and able to help someone find what they needed.” Mark said, “He knew so many things about music and the music trade.

“He’d often get people coming in with the vaguest of requests and he was able to solve that.”

Despite being a popular music scene in Edinburgh, the record shop was closed in January 2019 as the business pair decided to retire when Dougie turned 67.

Rose, his business partner said: “Dougie will be fondly remembered by so many musicians for his support and encouragement.

"He was very vocal a few years ago with the Amazon VAT court case, campaigning for a level playing field for all Music retail.

"He loved music. We miss him.”

Outside of work, Dougie, a huge hearts fan, loved spending time with his family by going on long walks in the countryside with son Mark, his daughter Zoë and grandson Brodie.

Mark said: "He’d love to go out into the countryside with me, my sister, and his grandson, Brodie and go on all these walks in hills and woods he knew so well.

"We have so many great photos and memories of him there.”

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