On the latest episode of BBC’s The Repair Shop, emotions ran high as experts restored a rare keyboard that once belonged to Dave Greenfield, the late keyboardist of the punk band The Stranglers. The guest, Toby Hounsham, was visibly choked with emotion as the team worked to bring the instrument back to life.
Airing on Wednesday, February 4, the episode featured Toby meeting experts Will Kirk and David Burville with a special request: to repair the iconic Hohner Cembalet keyboard that Dave Greenfield had used to record hits like “No More Heroes.” Toby shared the instrument’s significance, explaining, “This is the actual keyboard he recorded all the big hits on… He toured with it for hundreds of gigs, so every mark here tells a story.”
For Toby, the keyboard carried deep personal meaning. “He was my hero. As a fellow keyboard player, Dave inspired me to pursue music,” he said. Toby’s own journey included time in the band Rialto, appearances on Top of the Pops and TFI Friday, and meeting Dave Greenfield backstage during a Stranglers tour. After Dave’s passing in 2020, Toby was invited to join The Stranglers and was gifted the very keyboard he admired.
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Will marked the task as extraordinary: “This is a one-of-a-kind piece to work on,” while David acknowledged the challenge ahead. David began repairs by replacing the worn rubber on the keys and restoring the circuit board with the help of Mark Stuckey. After reassembling the keyboard, David applied a shellac polish to preserve its vintage character.
When Toby returned to see the restored instrument, he was overwhelmed. “Oh, wow! I’m speechless. You’ve preserved its soul perfectly,” he said, fighting back tears. He then played a tune on the revived keyboard, leaving everyone in awe. “I can’t thank you enough. Dave would be proud,” Toby added.
Viewers were equally touched, flooding social media with praise. One commented, “Fantastic to see Dave Greenfield’s keyboard restored, not thrown away,” while another called it “so cool.” Fans shared nostalgic memories and admiration for the skills displayed, underscoring the emotional resonance of this heartfelt restoration.