If you’re a music lover in Malta, then chances are you’ve visited Valletta’s iconic D’Amato Record Store at least once before… 

The D’Amato family opened their store back in 1885, and it’s been a favourite amongst locals and foreigners ever since.

A whopping five generations of the family have taken on the shop’s management, each insisting that the shop is the world’s oldest surviving record store.

Just yesterday, the shop took to social media to answer a burning question that countless shoppers keep asking - ‘what is Malta’s highest-selling record?’

Well, the shop revealed that this honour is held by none other than local classic ‘Taxi Mary’ by Freddy Abela, also known as Il-Bamboccu. 

The record, released on 15th May 1967, sold a whopping 751 copies on its very first day of release.

"That is a record (in both senses) for Malta that will never ever be matched. That week my Grandfather William D’Amato gave all staff a 1£ weekly increase. On the day, police had to be called in to control a large crowd outside the shop where the queue of people reached right up to St. John’s Cathedral."

He ended the post by stating that the record wasn't only enjoyed by Maltese but also by Australians and Canadians.

Have you ever heard this Maltese classic?

Name Surname Facebook/ D'Amato Records