Record Players: This past weekend, I purchased a bunch of Vinyl records and was reminded of shopping in Record Stores as a kid and the amazing experience that I once cheri
A Quick Look Back at Record Stores
One of the fondest memories I have as a kid growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., ended up being my career choice as an adult. As of this writing, for more than 20 years now. My parents both knew how much I LOVED going to the record store. My father, I could tell, was not impressed with the experience, but he got a kick out of the fact that I got such a kick out of it. My mother was/is a music lover, too, so it was more of an adventure with her.
A Brief History of the Record Player
The record player, also known as a turntable or vinyl player, has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. The earliest version of the record player, known as the phonograph, was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877. It played sound using a needle on a grooved cylinder. By the early 20th century, the phonograph evolved into the gramophone, which played discs instead of cylinders, setting the stage for the modern record player. Over the years, various enhancements like the introduction of the spindle, improved needles, and better audio quality through devices like bookRecord Labels, Radio Stations, and Retail
Audrey’s and Dell’s was THE record store in Buffalo, NY, and Doris Records was another popular store. The first thing I remember was the weekly colored lists from WBLK or WUFO on the glass desk at the record store. WBLK had a chosen single called the BLK Pick (Blick Pick) of the week, which was usually a huge hit.
The Record Store was my “candy store,” and I was blown away by the huge plethora of new 45s behind the counter on the wall in alphabetical order by the artist. We ALWAYS had to use those Top 40 Radio Stations). Record stores were my first experience with incense.
They always had it burning when you walked in. The whole record store experience was the closest I could get to the music industry at the time, and I loved it. I also knew I would eventually make a connection with it one day. I distinctly remember Motown almost always releasing several singles simultaneously, and they were always hits.
It was nothing for me to use up my Buy 5, Get 1 Free by getting The Jackson 5, Temptations, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. I was always fascinated, like everyone else, with Motown artists. Detroit was right up the lake and always had the best music.
HOW RADIO STATIONS WORKED WITH RECORD STORES
In those days, even though the local stations had a Top 40 list, the music selections on the station were still ENDLESS unless a record was a huge hit. However, it would still take a couple of hours before you heard it again, the DJs were beyond entertaining, very personable, and passionate, and they were hustlers and huge local stars. Being on the air was just a mere platform for them, but an important one as they worked their outside deals and made MONEY. It was the very reason I wanted to get into radio.
When a concert came to town, it was always a popular DJ hosting the show (back then, DJs were able to negotiate their own deals; program directors were not taken as seriously as they are today (if there was even one appointed at the station) EVERYBODY in the neighborhood would play the radio on their stereos. At the same time, they chilled around the house, had company over or were on the porch sitting in a lawn chair with a beer in their hands after dinner.
There were also conscience community-oriented talk shows on many Black stations like WBLK’s Express Yourself (instead of the Quiet Storm), which allowed the community to talk about important issues.
It has been YEARS since I have seen or heard anyone playing a radio station in their home or apartment (sans Sirius and XM, which I play myself). While the advent of technology plays a large part in that, I have to admit. I am surprised that so many commercial stations continue to do so well in this current radio climate.
VINTAGE VINYL RECORD PLAYERS
For as long as I can remember, I have also been fascinated with the mechanics of a record player, and for a while, I was a collector of vintage record players as an adult. I still can’t resist going to Goodwill every now and then to buy one that someone gave to them, especially one from the 60s—the absolute BEST period for home stereos. The allure of the needle gently settling into the groove of the record, the warm sound emanating from the realistic bookRECORD LABELS TODAY
