“Pick out any record you want,” my father said, gesturing toward a wall of 45 rpm singles. He loved music, and had even spent some time as a DJ in the early 50’s. Still, he was quite the spendthrift, so I was rather surprised at this magnanimous gesture. But, even at the tender age of 12, I understood this was his attempt at bonding.
So, I made my selection and he made his, and on the way home he happily discussed his new Hi-Fi purchase and how the records would sound. Once at home, he put the yellow adapter disc into the 45, and dropped it onto the turntable.
Smiling, he turned to me and said, “Okay, here you go!”
His happy countenance quickly segued into horror as Steppenwolf blared out his new stereo speakers, “Born to Be Wild!” Jaw dropping, he turned and stared at me. I could almost hear his stunned thought, “Wasn’t she just listening to Woody Woodpecker?!”
This and other memories came flooding back as vinyls return:
- The record player had options for 33, 45 and 78 rpms.
- My slumber party in the backyard with Land of the Thousand Dances playing on the record player, as my friends and I danced our little hearts away was so much fun.
- Blowing dust off the needle for a clearer sound.
- The “proofs” of Paul McCartney’s demise on The Beatles recordings and album cover (Abby Road).
- Taping a song meant holding the tape recorder up to the speakers.
- Cutting out the red colored record out of a cereal box – The Archies’, “Sugar Sugar.” (I still can’t believe it could actually play.)
What memories do you have regarding the days of vinyl?
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May 23, 2009 at 12:43 am
Jen
Dad was a trader which meant he was up at the crack of dawn when the eastern market opened. His office was an endless sea of desks, air thick with smoldering Pall Malls, buzzing Watts lines and IBM Selectrics clattering out the latest inventory changes. Stress reined supreme.
Each evening when Dad walked through the door Mom made certain the living room was clear of kids. He picked out a few favorite 78s from the stacks and stretched out on the floor in front of the low hifi console for a guaranteed hour of peace to unwind. As Dad snoozed sounds of the McGuire Sisters, Glenn Miller and Pete Fountain popped and crackled on the turn table, filling the house with nostalgic sound. It was lively, happy music and the orchestrations where nothing short of genius. Compared to the three guitar & drum set combos that ruled the pop waves, he knew the good stuff. I heard his favorites so often that I knew all the words, and given the opportunity I could name that tune.
Not too long ago I was waiting in the grocery, not realizing that I was singing along with “Just for Old Time’s Sake” on the piped music. The woman ahead of me turned and said “You’re too young to know this song!”. A smile spread across my face as I replied ” This song is the soundtrack of my childhood!”