Oldest Record Competition Entries

This was my partner‘s favourite album growing up. With moving house and changes over the years it was lost. He thought it was ‘grouse’ when he found a copy in a secondhand record store.

When I was a young kid, my dad’s vinyl collection always drew me in. It was mostly classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream. Those were the first bands I grew to love. I remember turning up to school on my first day and being the only kid whose favorite band was The Rolling Stones. I knew the collection was something precious, something that needed to be treated with care and respect, and that aura extended to the music. Every time you go to play Black Dog, there’s no knowing exactly when that drum is going to kick in; there’s mystery intrinsic to the experience. All that is to say, the classic rock sound holds a special place in my life. So when I went to start my own vinyl collection, one I hope to one day share with some younger family member, be they a child of my own or a niece or nephew, I knew the sound I wanted to hear. Vinyl plays a special place in my life. Every time I play a record, it’s a spiritual thing, a Black Sabbath.

I got this as a kid from a second hand sale before I even had a turntable. My mum had to spot me the money and it took a bit of convincing that the $10 investment was going to be worth it given we had no way of listening to the record at the time. We didn’t get a turntable for a few years after I got that first record, but I always had the record out on display because I thought it was so cool. I think the most surprising part is that when you spin the track and actually listen, the song is actually really good! Something I probably never would have realized without having owned it on vinyl, and definitely made me more mindful to pay attention to the scores and soundtracks. That initial $10 investment has grown into my vinyl collection which largely contains the music from my favourite shows (movies, tv shows, video games).

Led Zeppelin II is my favourite album and has all great songs on it, my dad bought a record player this year and bought led zeppelin II knowing it was my favourite along with many other led zeppelin records. Whenever I’m playing a game or doing something I always pop that sucker on the record player and blast that thing! Got some of the best songs on that record among others! It’s always nice to hear the original record rather than listening to it on something digitally, it makes you realise how lucky we are this day and age to have access to all this music, but it’s great having this record and being able to experience that moment this year!

There’s just something about David Bowie. I have almost every Bowie album but this one stands out, not just for the brilliant cover of David and model Twiggy, nor the limited-edition picture disc; it’s what this album stands for. At the time it was so poorly received, critics said that the covers by Bowie didn’t improve on the originals – and this is one of the reasons why I like it – it’s just different. The song “Sorrow” is a real stand-out for me, I remember my older sister playing it when I was five years old – I loved it then and love it still. But it was many years after that I would own this album. Like most treasures, this one was stumbled across. Along with Roberta Flack’s album, Killing me Softly (with a fold out cardboard grand piano cover!) I found Pin Ups in a garage sale box in a suburban house in San Diego 1991. I didn’t pay $16.95 as it says on the price tag, I think it was less? I actually don’t remember. When I saw that cover with David and Twiggy as a picture disc, I had to have it! It would be another year before I played the record as there was no turntable where I was living in the USA; and I had to wait until I returned to Australia. Carefully transporting the record all the way back to Australia in my luggage – when I played the record, all those memories came rushing back to me from when I was only five, and all of the other Bowie songs I’d collected since then. It was also a mint copy; I don’t think it have ever been played! Now, almost 50 years later since it was pressed, it still plays beautifully, not a scratch!

It was 1952 and I was new to classical music. Was sleeping in a house in UK. Floor above me was occupied by a musician who loved this piece of music and played it all the time. At first it annoyed me but after a while I grew to really like it and purchased the recording. Even though it is mono, I still think it sounds great.

While renting in the 70’s with 4 English flat mates were into disco and the Sol train movement. This was given to me by one of the flat mates and it resonated with me as soul does.

My younger brother & I (13yrs & 15yrs), in 1969, cut a coupon out of one of Mum’s magazines and joined the Australian Record Club – 5 LP’s for $5 (Mum got 1 LP for her troubles). These two were my selection – ‘Spirit’ by Spirit & Bob Dylan’s ‘Nashville Skyline’.
Each subsequent LP purchase from the ‘Club’ earnt us a coupon – 2 coupons redeemed got you another LP. We saved our coupons ’til the next school holidays, when we would jump on the train from the Blue Mountains to Sydney and on arrival at Central Station head straight up to the Australian Record Club building in Hargreaves St, near Hyde Park. On arrival we would each take a listening booth and spend as long as took ’til we each were satisfied with our selections. (A stop in at Martin’s Records on the way back down to Central often rewarded with some excellent 2nd-hand LP bargains!).
Thus began a lifetime obsession with vinyl that digital still can’t quite match.

First Record for our First family turntable.
Over 30 years ago my Dad, being and Indian immigrant and not knowing much about western music, walked into our local record store Hewlett’s Record Bar in Nowra. He asked the owner what would he recommend as a good first record for his kids and to play on his newly purchased Hi Fi System (Yamaha of course). Mr Hewlett promptly replied. “You can’t go wrong with Stevie Wonder!” And indeed you can’t. My all time favourite record to this day and still plays on the exact same turntable. Timeless and Classic. To be past on to the next generation.
Long live Stevie Wonder!

I was 12 at a friends house when I heard music coming from his older brothers bedroom.I stood at the doorway listening when he seen me.He asked did I like the music and I said yes.He then said give me 50 cents and you can have it.I still have the album 50 years later.My first introduction to heavy metal.Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution.

This was my mums record. I’m a massive stones fan and she gifted it to me when we moved to Australia. She remembers them from when they just used to play low key pubs and clubs in London as a covers band and she used to have to stand on chairs at the back to be able to see them.

I’ve inherited a massive collection from my uncle who now resides in a nursing home and doesn’t have the storage room to keep such a large collection. It’s a wonderful thing how the power of music can transcend generations and remain timeless. Now when I visit him with the benefit of technology, I play numerous old favourites to him via a portable speaker/streaming. Being a muso myself and passionate discophile, I’ll always cherish his collection which will then continue to be passed on and appreciated for many years to come.