So, What are Your Favorite Vinyl Records?
AND...what's So Great about Vinyl Records and the Great Vinyl Era?
What's So Great about Vinyl Records and the
Great Vinyl Era?
Now they are questions I get asked quite a lot. Another is "Why don't you put all those vinyl records onto CDs? Or just download the music, it's all online!" Online? Are They Kidding? So, I say "Why Should I?...… I love my vinyl !
And I think YOU do to, that's why you are checking out this site!
SO! Why do we love vinyl?
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Well, do you remember saving up all your pennies, going to your fave record shop to grab an LP that you have been saving to buy for months? Looking through the racks of albums, having a listen in the shop, then parting with the cash? I certainly do! |
Remember rushing home, holding said vinyl record close to your chest? As soon as you walked through the door, out it comes from the Record Shop Bag, the delicious smell of new vinyl, plastic sleeve clinging to the disc!
Mmmm! Lovely!
And, what about those fold out covers? You do not get those with a CD, or on Spotify or any downloads do you! Sleeve notes with print large enough one could them! Exclusive to....., yes, vinyl records!
Remember?..... How exciting was THAT!
So…what gets one into music in the first place.
I was lucky.
Both my parents were into music. My father was a great jazz piano player, his brother, (lost at Singapore in the war) was a music teacher, playing piano, saxophone and clarinet.
Our home in Sydney featured a very large radio/record player, and we had a huge collection of 78’s.
(…..yes, I’m that old I can remember 78’s!)
Many hours I spent leaning against that large player listening to the 78’s and the radio.
I don’t know what happened to that fine bit of furniture. We moved from Sydney to Adelaide, and I guess it was left in Sydney.
It was a while before my sister bought a very small HMV record player, and I grabbed my first 45.
This player also had “78” capability, so we all got into records again.
And...if you were not around for those exciting vinyl record times........
Well this site is not only
for those old timers (like me!) who were there for the good old days of vinyl records and the
music of the 60’s and 70’s
It is also for
those young music lovers who missed out on this magic time.
They want to find out
what it was all about.
So, if you are one
of those wondering what was so great about vinyl records and that great era.
And what an era it was! great new bands coming out every week!
The Beatles! The Stones! The Yardbirds! The Kinks! And on it went!
Read on!!
Here you will find out about, (or remember!)
Elvis, Elvis The Pelvis, (won't even mention what commentators said about his song "Wear My Ring up around Your Neck!) and Buddy Holly, who inspired so many others.
What was The Great British Invasion, who was part of it and who followed in the Second Wave?
Want to know why Paul McCartney bought that strange bass guitar?
Or how George got into The Beatles?
How did the Rolling Stones get their name?
Who was the Rolling Stones founding member, and what happened to him?
Who was it that sang that song about Money?
Was there really a song called "Do Wah Diddy Diddy?"
Who knocked the Beatles from the No.1 spot for the first time?
Was "Smokestack Lightning" a band or a song?
SO… that is what this site is all about
Vinyl records, and the greatest music era ever!
It is about the great music and great music makers that we can still appreciate on good old vinyl. It is certainly not a concise encyclopedia of the music of the times, but it is a bit of a trip down memory lane, the music that I and my friends enjoyed. We were lucky enough to witness the two biggest events in modern music, the start of Rock and Roll, and the Beatles
It's all about the music and those artists that made the 60's and 70's so unique and exciting. A new great new, exciting band emerging, just about every week! But it is not just about the bands that were huge. We will also talk about the other, bands from that era they you may have forgotten .So...whatever era you are from......
So....check out the site, enjoy it!, contribute to it!
Together we will enjoy the music from the best music era!
So, which band was you're fave back then?
Maybe The Beatles, who started the British Invasion? When did you first hear them? Did you get to see them live? Which one was you're Fave Beatle?
Check them out HERE
Or maybe that superb group of musicians The Hollies, one of the few British Invasion bands to not only survive, but prosper. never trendy, always tight harmonies and great musicianship.
Read all about The Hollies HERE
And Manfred Mann gave us an early taste of Rhythm and Blues. who else could get away with a song titled 5-4-3-2-1?
And, while you are here.....stay and check out......
....the Animals, the gravelly vocals of Eric Burdon! What was the song the record company did not want to release, because it was slow and boring? And later became a HUGE hit. Who did the bass play player discover that became a guitar legend? Find out HERE!
Or check out the British Blues Scene, where it all began. John Mayall, Alexis Korner and the founders of the British Blues.
Best Christmas Record? What's Your Favorite?
Here'Mine!
What's Your Fave Vinyl Record Memories
Tell us your Vinyl Record experience from those great days!
Which bands did you love?
Which ones could you not stand?
Tell us you're stories!
Share them with us!
Enjoy this site? Share with friends!
Famous Record shop HMV is due to reopen on Oxford Street after a four-year hiatus.
One of my joys of visiting London was always to visit this spot in Oxford Street, so its great to see it back. The HMV logo is special to me, as a large model of it was in the EMI Offices here in Adelaide when I went for my reps job there.
The century-old music chain closed the flagship London store in 2019 after going into administration. It was then taken over by Sunrise Records.
It said the return to 363 Oxford Street was due to a "dramatic turnaround", with HMV returning to profit in 2022.
The first HMV opened there in 1921 and has seen appearances from artists including Edward Elgar, who was part of the opening ceremony, and David Bowie.
The new shop will open on 24 November, and will create 70 new jobs, according to the company.
A spokesperson from HMV said stock will include about 20,000 vinyl albums and CDs, more than 8,000 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVDs, as well as music technology.
HMV shut the store in 2019 after the retail chain tumbled into administration and was forced to axe stores and jobs.
The retailer was rescued from insolvency by Canadian Doug Putman’s Sunrise Records business.
The site, at 363 Oxford Street, had been operating as an American sweet shop following its closure.
However, in April, HMV confirmed it had sealed a deal with the landlord to return to the site.
Mr Putman said he hopes the shop can have “crowds which will shut down the street” again, harking back to memorable visits including Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls and Sir Paul McCartney.
“It is a pretty great moment for us, coming back here after four years away,” he said.
“When we bought the business, we couldn’t keep the site because the rates
What Got Me Into Music and Vinyl Records?
My father being a great piano player, had a stack of the old 78's. He also had access to tickets to concerts, and that's where I first witnessed live shows.
The best show in Sydney was...
Johnnie Ray
His was the first LP I ever bought, and joined his fan club!
Elvis....Jailhouse Rock...
Elvis, of course! I first heard Elvis as we travelled from Sydney to Adelaide. After my early influences of Frankie Laine and Johnnie Ray, this was something else!
Jailhouse Rock! My uncle days later said I should buy the record and play it LOUD! Which I did.
and Houd Dog, Ed Sullivan Show, October 1956
John Mayall
I found John Mayall in a record shop when I was looking for Yardbirds albums with Eric Clapton on it. I bought 5 Live Yardbirds, and the shop attendant showed me the "Beano" album, saying "You Might Like This"....and I did. been a John Mayall fan ever since. Above shows him with John McVie on bass, Mick Taylor on guitar Colin Allen on bass.
Best Vinyl Album Covers
The Beatles Revolver, from 1966. Cover by the Beatles old Hamburg friend, Klaus Voorman.
The Stones controversial "Sticky Fingers" album from April 1971. The original album had an opening zip on the trousers, causing it to be banned in Spain.
The classic follow up to "Dark Side of The Moon", , "Wish You Were Here" featured stunt men Ronnie Rondell and Danny Rodgers on the front cover. Rondell had the tougher gig, having to be set on fire. Luckily, after about 17 takes, he escaped with only a singed mostache.
Arguably the most famous of all the vinyl covers, The Beatles "Sgt. Peppers" still is as interesting today as it was on release in May 1967.
Featuring Bruce's beloved "Mutt" guitar, a Fender Telecaster with Esquire neck, purchased nearly 50 years ago, the "Born to Run" album also shows Bruce's sax player from 1972 until his death in 2011, Clarence "the big man" Clements.
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Don't Know what vinyl is? Forgotten? Take a look at this classic hit!
Just Starting Your Collection?
so, here is a book to get you started on what to buy. In 100 Greatest Albums You Should Own On Vinyl, they have collate the greatest albums to have ever been pressed and then sold on vinyl since the '50s.
From the bands and solo artists that made the music possible, to the sleeve art and limited edition extras of the records themselves, take a trip back in time to discover the ultimate artists and their best records for the definitive list of vinyl that should be part of any collection!
Remember 1964?
Great Year!
Great Releases!
The Kinks "Kinks", their first album.
The fist of the Kinks albums, coming out in October 1964. This album features, as well as the first great single "You Really Got Me", the classic "Beautiful Delilah" tan excellent version of "Got Love if You Want It". The album received mixed reception, reaching4 on the Melody maker chards, 5 on the NME chart, and 25 on Cashbox.
Beatles For Sale
"The Fourth By the Four" as the album notes say. "Beatles for Sale" came out on 4th December 1964. Just in time for the Christmas market! released only 21 weeks since "A Hard Days Night", The album was done in 7 days spread over between August and October. Highlights are many, including "No Reply". "Eight Days a Week", 14 great tracks in all.
The Rolling Stones First Album
This was recorded over 5 days in January 1964. One original song "Tell Me You're Coming Back" is included with other great tracks, "Route 66", "Oh Carol" and "oh Mona" It was well received, with one critic claiming the album was the best to emerge in the early 60's British Blues boom.
The Five Faces of Manfred Mann
This first album by Manfred Mann hit the shops on September 11 1964. Recorded at EMI's London studios between December 17 and 5 June 1963. The record has been called "one of the great blues-based albums; it's a hot, rocking record that benefits from some virtuoso playing as well". Bruce Eder of All Music writes
"The debut album by Manfred Mann holds up even better 40 years on than it did in 1964. It's also one of the longest LPs of its era, clocking in at 39 minutes, and there's not a wasted note or a song extended too far among its 14 tracks."
Particularly noticeable in the instrumental sections are ManfredMann's keyboard work, Mike Vickers' flute and saxophone work, and Mike Hugg's vibes. The album includes the Cannonball Adderley song "Sack O' Woe" from the R&B-influenced school of early 1960s jazz.
Also featured are "Smokestack Lightning" and "Got My Mojo Working. 14 Tracks.
The album reached No. 3 UK, and 141 in the US.
Read More on Manfred Mann
