Christian. There is nothing else of significance about me.
How we used to do it
I think the first mass produced music records were the 10 inch 78 rpm discs. I can just recall my paternal grandfather’s joy as he obtained a new one, and lovingly placed it on his huge radiogram, hearing a performance perhaps for the first time, appearing magically in his own front room.
I believe microgroove vinyl records first appeared round about 1950, and it was with the advent of these 45s and LPs the thing really took off. However, you were still stuck to a stationary record player. On the other hand, it was a splendid plesasure to get a new LP, wonder at the artwork of the cover, read such blurb as there might be; and then carefully extract the disc, place it on the turntable, start it spinning, and gently lower the stylus until the sound of that reassuring click as diamond hit plastic.
Round about 1970 two competing media appeared, being respectively the 8 track stereo cartridge and the cassette tape; the latter won.
The turning point came a few years later, with the amazing Sony Walkman. This miraculous device was compact and light, and enabled you to listen to cassette tapes on the move!
LPs, singles, and cassettes coexisted happily for a couple of decades, but by 1990 the CD had become the medium of choice. This gave a cleaner sound, but lacked the charm of the 12 inch LP and the warmth of the analogue signal. At least there was still a physical entity.
Now, of course, we have downloads…