Early Vinyl Record Buys

Our memories of events that occurred in the fifties, sixties, and seventies are to some degree faulty and maybe downright fabricated. My memories are honest and this brief story is my best recollection, even though somewhat embarrassing.

My parents bought a new tall-standing hi-fi and each of their kids were allowed to pick out an album at the five-and-dime store in town. My selection was an item definitely in the pop music category (if genres existed) titled Jerry Lewis Just Sings. I cannot recall the other family member selections, but they let me know mine and we all get a good laugh. All of us who bought albums have made a few mistakes.

Parents controlled the music for the most part back in the day. In my early teens we listened to more high fidelity record albums–the artists included Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck (this long-play record was a red vinyl), Errol Garner–good piano jazz and no dogs here.

Attending a small liberal arts college in Kansas I was entertained by a blues music station I was able to find on my AM dial at night out of Little Rock, Arkansas. I bought Greatest Hits albums (e.g. Mary Wells, Major Lance, The Temptations) believing I was getting more bang for my buck.

Out of college and having a bit more money in my pocket I frequented the new record bins at Korvettes, the local large, discount (?) department store. I did not like paying $3.99 for a new album. I took care to open my new record without tearing the cellophane wrap, using a knife. Keeping this intact was a start to keeping your album cover looking good. Proper etiquette also included always returning your vinyl to the sleeve and jacket immediately after removing the record from the turntable. My late-sixties and seventies records are in good condition today.

“I hope you enjoyed this swing down memory lane. I did not reference the internet for assistance and correct details–this is just a story. But, we all need YOU to take care of your records and love and respect recorded music.”  —Peter R. Furlong, PhD