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Fri, 22 Jun 2007
Celebrate Vinyl Record Day
Celebrate Vinyl Record Day
by Robert Benson
When Thomas Edison invented the phonograph on August 12, 1877, little did he
know just how much influence his "Talking Machine" would have, not only in the
music industry, but in pop culture as well. Records are a part of the music
of the ages and it is up to us as individuals and retailers, not only to enjoy
our favorite recordings, but to preserve them as well; thus Vinyl Record Day
was born.
Vinyl Record Day (www.VinylRecordDay.org) is celebrated on August 12th (or the
first Saturday following the 12th) and was conceived and brought to the
forefront by vinyl enthusiast and vinyl record historian Gary Freiberg. I
spoke with Gary about the meaning of Vinyl Record Day and how we can help as
individuals and what retailers can do to help preserve this timeless medium
and international treasure.
"Vinyl Record Day is about celebrating vinyl records and the public should
take notice of this special day. Invite friends and family over for a
barbeque, maybe form a block party and play records, think records and talk
about records and what they mean to each of us individually and culturally,"
explained Gary.
Gary went into further detail, "Whatever the feel good aspects of Vinyl Record
Day are, a retailer will ask how will this help my bottom line? Vinyl Record
Day can get free publicity, it puts a good face on a business within their
community and is a reason to have something special at the location: a
parking lot sale, entertainment, store specials are great examples. I would
hope the industry would become more involved with Vinyl Record Day so that,
not only are the goals of Vinyl Record Day spread, but that people trying to
make all or part of their living with vinyl could be part of an industry and
not scattered individuals. We need to have a cohesive national impact as the
milk industry did with their "Got Milk" campaign. I truly believe that
Internet and traditional brick store owners could benefit financially, and in
the case of brick store owners, in their communities by being part of Vinyl
Record Day. Another important goal of Vinyl Record Day is to preserve the
cultural influences, the recordings and the cover art. We also hope to
increase awareness that economics prevents companies from transferring
everything on to compact discs."
A very dynamic and immensely important point Gary talked about is that only 5%
of our musical history has been transferred to cd, so it is our responsibility
to preserve this medium. Maybe your grandfather, sibling or cousin released a
record and, although it may have not made the "top ten," it is our music and
some of these wonderful recordings cannot be found anywhere else. For
instance, I own a vinyl copy of a Spiro Agnew speech and one of our most
revered presidents John F. Kennedy has released several recordings, as have
other influential and historical figures.
Additionally, Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit organization that aims to
educate the public and encourage all of us to preserve these international
audio treasures. It is also a marketing opportunity for any vinyl record
retailer.
"Vinyl Record Day is focused on educating the public that this timeless medium
is in our hands, don't leave the preservation of vinyl to fate. Vinyl records
represent historical audio documents and just as we preserve historical
literature, we are the custodians of this audio history. Vinyl Record Day is
more than one day a year set aside for celebration, it is also for the
industry itself," acknowledged Gary. "
We also discussed past celebrations, from the inaugural Vinyl Record Day in
San Luis County, California and the international support and attention that
Vinyl Record Day receives as well.
"Vinyl Record Day hopes to continue to educate the public on why and how to
care for a record collection because these collections are not only a part of
who we are individually, but to assure that future generations will not lose a
vital link in recorded history," related Gary.
As an avid vinyl record collector, I truly enjoyed my conversation with Gary,
who is very passionate about the cause. Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit
organization that needs the help of all of us, consumers, collectors,
musicians, retailers as well as the record companies. So, as you celebrate
Vinyl Record Day this August, think about the history, preservation of the
format and enjoyment you receive when listening to your favorite records. For
more information and how you can help as an individual, please visit the
website, www.VinylRecordDay.org and let Gary know that you endorse all of his
efforts.
(You may even donate your record collection to Vinyl Record Day and you can
receive full value as a tax write-off. Vinyl Record Day needs money to
promote, not only Vinyl Record Day, but can help retailers in their own
business endeavors)
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and
operates two web sites, www.ezshoppinghere.com and
www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can secure your copy of his ebook
called "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting." Robert can be
contacted at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com.
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Mon, 11 Jun 2007
A. K. A Duo's Of The 60's
A. K. A Duo's Of The 60's
by Robert Benson
Pop music in the 1960's produced several top recording duos dotting the music
charts and influencing future song writers and groups to this day. Let's
explore a few successful duos from the 60's that also recorded as lesser
known names before they hit it big as the names they are known as today.
An early release by duo that called themselves Tom & Jerry in 1957 did not
fair well, although the duo did manage to crack the top 100 on the music
charts. But subsequent releases proved to be very substantial, not only for
pop rock, but for folk rock as well. After minimal success as Tom & Jerry and
reuniting together in the mid 60's as Simon and Garfunkel, the duo forged a
path through pop and folk music that is iconic.
With a barrage of finely crafted pop and folk arrangements, Simon and
Garfunkel amassed many pop hits such as "Homeward Bound, ""Sound's Of
Silence," "I Am A Rock," "Mrs. Robinson" (from the movie "The Graduate"), "The
Boxer" and the Garfunkel-led ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water," among
others. After they split up, Garfunkel went on to record several
well-received albums, but Paul Simon became known as one of the most prolific
and vital song writers of the pop music era.
After the split from Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon scored top ten pop hits
with "Mother And Child Reunion," "Kodachrome," "Loves Me Like A Rock" as well
as "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover." But Simon broke new ground musically and
personally in 1986 with the album "Graceland," which he adeptly mixed a
collage of musical genres and political statements into one of the most
remarkable solo albums of all time. Somewhat controversial, it remains the
benchmark for all solo artists who want to experiment with their musical
background and add a mix of different cultures to the album to capture not
only their already existing fan base, but create a new one as well.
Although popular for their 1959 hit "Baby Talk," Jan Berry and Dean Torrence
rode the waves of the Beach Boys-led surf music sound in the early 1960's.
Previously known as Jan and Arnie, their infectious hit "Surf City," (the
duo's only number one hit) was co-written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys,
who also provided back-up vocals. Jan Berry returned the favor in1966 by
singing lead on the Beach Boy's hit "Barbara Ann." Jan and Dean had other
chart hits such as "Drag City," the prophetic "Dead Man's Curve" and the
whimsical "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena." The duo's success was cut
short in April of 1966 when Jan was critically injured in an automobile
accident.
The husband and wife team of Caesar and Cleo did not secure fame until they
changed their name to Sonny and Cher and went on to pop mega-stardom, not only
in music, but in television as well. Their breakthrough hit "I Got You Babe"
reached number one status and held that position for three weeks in 1965.
While still together as Sonny and Cher, each scored hits recording separately,
Sonny with "Laugh At Me" and Cher with "All I Really Want To Do" and "Bang
Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." Their magical musical combination and
wisecracking repartee spawned a highly successful CBS-TV variety series that
ran from1971 through 1974. As a duo, Sonny and Cher secured top ten hits such
as "Baby Don't Go," " The Beat Goes On," "All I Ever Need Is You" and "A
Cowboy's Work Is Never Done." Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce in
1973, but the story of Sonny and Cher does not.
They were briefly reunited in 1975 and Cher continued on to a brilliant solo
career and Sonny entered politics. Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm
Springs, California and then elected to Congress in 1994 until his tragic
death from a skiing accident in 1998. Cher continued in music and also added
a first rate acting career to her repertoire.
As a solo artist in the 1970's, Cher scored hits with songs like "Gypsys,
Tramps & Thieves," "The Way Of Love," "Half-Breed" and "Dark Lady" among
others. Cher was also an accomplished actress, with starring roles in the
acclaimed motion pictures "Silkwood" and "The Witches Of Eastwick." In 1987,
Cher won an Oscar for her role in the movie "Moonstruck." She revived her
musical career in 1989 scoring a top ten hit called "After All," a duet with
Peter Cetera from the motion picture "Chances Are" and the intense reflective
"If I Could Turn Back Time." Remarkably, ten years later Cher was again in
the Top 40 with her number one hit "Believe," which spent four weeks as the
top pop song and remained on the charts for twenty-five weeks. To this day
Cher remains peerless and is one of the most celebrated female singers and her
trademark voice will be heard for decades to come.
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and
operates two web sites, www.ezshoppinghere.com and
www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can secure your copy of his ebook
called "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting." Robert can be
contacted at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com.
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