Adam writes… Walking the Dog. Which dog? The only dog that matters in music…
His name is Nipper. In the U.K he is the emblem of the famous HMV (His Master’s Voice) record label and store. Meanwhile in the U.S he represents the famous RCA company. And he’s also spent time as the trademark of Deutsche Grammophon label. A dog of many masters!
Mark Barraud (1848 – 1887), a theatrical scenic artist, was Nipper’s original owner. Both Mark and Nipper are remembered with a plaque in the city of Bristol. I love that he’s described on the plaque as “Bristol born dog” ❤️
Upon Mark’s death, Nipper was adopted by Mark’s artist brother Francis. Francis immortalised Nipper in his famous painting His Master’s Voice. Both Francis and Nipper are commemorated with a plaque at 126 Piccadilly, London…
The story goes that Nipper would seem perplexed whenever the phonograph was played, cocking his head to one side as if trying to ascertain how a human voice could emerge from a machine. Inspiration struck.
But failure comes hot on its heels.
The Royal Academy rejected the picture, and a plethora of magazine editors followed suit.
Barraud the offered it to the Edison-Bell company, only to be rejected with the immortal line: “Dogs don’t listen to phonographs”.
Francis Barraud then repainted the piece, substituting the phonograph for a gramophone. The painting finds a home as the emblem of The Gramophone Company, the recording company that becomes EMI.
Gone But Never Forgotten
Nipper died of natural causes and was buried in Kingston-Upon-Thames in southwest London. Since 2010 a street close to his final resting place – now the location of bar, once a bank – is named in his honour: Nipper Alley.
There’s also find a giant statue of Nipper at Hayes, West London at the location of the old EMI record manufacturing plant. Walkies!
Francis Barraud
Francis Barraud died in 1924 at Melina Place, St John’s Wood (see Nipper 5 on the map below). A mere six years later the Gramophone Company moved to St John’s Wood, to a location just a short walk from where Barraud spent the last part of his life… Abbey Road.
Get Down, Boy!
13 Dog Songs…
The Map
London Music Tours
First time visitor to this site? Hello! My name’s Adam and I am an award-winning, qualified tour guide. I specialise in music-themed guided tours here in London. I’ve been a tour guide for 20+ years and I offer a regular schedule of walking tours throughout the year. For the full, up-to-date calendar click HERE.
Private tours are always available, too. Use the form at the bottom of this post to get in touch to book a private tour.
I’m qualified as a Westminster Guide (with distinction), a former visiting lecturer in tour guiding at the University of Westminster and an ex-national newspaper arts journalist . In my spare time I play guitar and sing and buy too many records. Drop me a line anytime using the form below.
Join one of my non-music-themed walking tours via the London Walks website HERE.
