This small piece of black vinyl with the garish pink label was cause for much excitement when spotted amongst thousands at a small local record fair. This was the first Australian pressing of a previously unknown group that would start a cultural revolution that still reverbs today.
Not just a regular pressing, it is a “promo” or sample pressed in small number and sent out to radio stations to promote a song or new artists, making it even rarer.
The appeal of vinyl records for young and old is as varied as those who love this format, but for me it started with a small portable record player that could stack half dozen singles just like this one. 45’s were the record of choice for teenagers at the time, mainly due to their affordability.
Records at parties were passed around, critiqued and often played repeatedly, making learning the lyrics easier. While there was a certain process or ritual to handling and playing a record, they certainly weren’t revered, they were meant to be played and played loud!
Marks and patina collected over time tell a story about the history of old records, but it is when they are played they really come to life. The hum, clicks and static once the tone arm is lowered transports the listener to place where the buzz from amplifiers belts you with anticipation as the first chord is struck.
As the memory of a song starts to fade and you remove the sleeve, dust it off and play it again.
