What Sells On E-Bay

Below are the 'top' sellers (price wise) on that wonderful auction house ebay. I have had people ask if a record is worth, let's say $100 in the record price guides, then you should be able to get that price for the record if you were to sell it. As I tell all who have read my ebook, "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting," you will only get what someone is willing to pay.

And that also depends on who is buying the record. If it is a record dealer, expect to get about 10-30% of the record price guide value. Why? Because these people are in business to resell the records and make a profit. But let's say you have two or three different collectors bidding on a rare Bob Dylan release that may be listed at $400 in the price guide. The price that the winning bidder may pay could be twice that, especaily in a "bidding war."

There are many other variables that go into the worth of a record. Condition is the most important factor, not only of the record, but the album jacket, picture sleeve and/or contents (for instance, if the record had a special poster or insert inside when it was released). Additionally, the genre of music plays a role. For instance, if you have a rare "Northern Soul" record (and that is a hot commodity right now) you may get more than the 'book value.' Conversely, you may have an old opera recording, and because there is not a huge demand for that genre, you may have to settle for less than book value. Also, what record label it is on can effect the value. But, this is not an exact science. If you get the right bidders, on the right day, truth is, you can only presume what could happen, nothing is written in stone.

That said, let's explore some of he highest prices that have been paid for records at ebay in the last few weeks:

Vinyl Records Top 5 eBay Sales Week Ending 01/05/2008


1) 45 - Freddie Butler "All Is Well" / "Save Your Love For Me" - $5,200.00 Start: n/a Bids: n/a

2) LP - Mariani "Perpetum Mobile" - $2,850.00 Start: $2,500.00 Bids: 2

3) LP - Jutta Hipp "D.G. Flat" Blue Note Mono - $2,534.00 Start: $90.00 Bids: 15

4) 45 - Elvis Presley "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" - $1,726.99 Start: $700.00 Bids: 8

5) LP - Billy Preston "Club Meeting" - $1,711.96 Start: $9.00 Bids: 4


An ultra-rare soul rocker from Freddie Bulter topped eBay sales this particular week. The "All Is Well" 45 RPM sold for $5k. Dropping pretty far down in terms of dollars, a more or less psych LP by the band Mariani came in the #2 spot. A Blue Note jazz LP from Jutta Hipp sold for a little over $2.5k. In the #4 spot sits an Elvis 45 on the Sun label. And in #5 comes Billy Preston's very rare live "Club Meeting" LP.

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Vinyl Records Top 5 eBay Sales Week Ending 01/12/2008



1) LP - U2 "Joshua Tree" Swedish Blue Vinyl - $4000.00 Start: $4000.00 Bid: 1

2) 45 - Al Williams "I Am Nothing" / "Brand New Love" Palmer - $3,500.00 Start: $3,500.00 Bids: BIN

3) 45 - Innersouls "Just Take Your Time" / "Thoughts" Plemmons - $2,469.44 Start: $99.99 Bids: 17

4) 45 - Elvis Presley "Milkcow Boogie Blues" / "You're A Heartbreaker" Sun 215 - $2,254.90 Bids:32

5) 45 - Frankie Lyman "I'm Sorry" / "Sea Breeze" Big Apple - $1,901.00 Start: $9.99 Bids: 11


Another oddball Swedish colored vinyl U2 record came in at the top of the list this week. This time the color is blue and the record is Joshua Tree. Some weeks ago a red Unforgettable Fire made the list. Next, one of the gods of high dollar rare soul 45's Al Williams comes in at #2, with "I Am Nothing New" selling on a buy-it-now for $3,500.00. Another rare soul 45 from Innersouls made the #3 spot. And an Elvis on Sun 45 comes in at #4 for the second week. And last is another soul 45 from Frankie Lymon.

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Vinyl Records Top 5 eBay Sales Week Ending 01/19/2008



1) LP - Hank Mobley self titled LP Blue Note - $3500.00 Start: $3500.00 Bids: BIN


2) 45 - Jackie Day "Naughty Boy" / "I Want Your Love" Phelectron - $3,000.00 Start: $499.00 Bids: 16


3) 45 - Iron Maiden "Two Minutes To Midnight" Japanese Promo - $2,895.00 Start: $2895.00 Bids: BIN


4) 78 - Margaret Thornton "Jockey Blues" / "Texas Bound Blues" Black Patti - $2,4000.00 Start: $99.00 Bids: 27


5) 45 - New World "The World To-day" / "J.R." Virtue - $2,178.88 Start: $9.44 Bids: 37


For having only a 500 copy run, this Hank Mobley Blue Note LP changes hands quite a bit. This time coming in #1 and selling for $3.5k. For #2, it's back to rare soul for a Jackie Day 45. The rarest of Iron Maiden collectibles, a Japanese promo 45 sells for close to $2.9K and makes the #3 spot. A 78 RPM blues record from 1927 by Margaret Thornton came in #4. And for #5 we have a rare soul 45 from New World.

As always, I want to thank my source of this useful information:
http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com/

ElectricRoulette.com- 'The Hip Side of Music'

I recently sent a copy of my ebook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting" across the pond to the people at www.ElectricRoulette.com and received a wonderful response and write up by a gent named Mof.

You can read the write up here:

www.electricroulette.com/2008/01/go-and-buy-an-e.html

I have added Electric Roulette to my 'blogroll' and if you want to keep in touch with 'the hip side of music,' be sure to stop by and read their informative posts and articles about rock & roll music, interviews, music reviews, books, film, Hot 45's, rock and roll fashion and much, much more. An interesting site, that's for sure!

This Day In Music History- Jan 21

In 1989, the song "Two Hearts" by Phil Collins topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

In 1959, The Kingston Trio, one of the foremost groups behind the Folk music craze, received their first gold record for "Tom Dooley.”

Country singer Mac Davis was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1942. His biggest pop hit was the 1972 No. 1 "Don't Get Hooked On Me." He also wrote "Don't Cry Daddy" and "In the Ghetto" for Elvis Presley.

Folk singer Richie Havens ("Here Comes The Sun") turns 67.

The late Wolfman Jack (Robert Smith) was born in 1939.

Jackie Wilson ("Higher & Higher") died in 1984, eight years after a heart attack and subsequent fall left him in a coma, with brain damage.

Peggy Lee ("Fever") passed away from a heart attack in 2002 at age 81. Lee won a Grammy Award for her 1969 hit "Is That All There Is" and had charted 46 times from 1945 to 1969, ten times in the Top Ten.

The Trips Festival, a multimedia event featuring performances by the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Big Brother and the Holding Company, was held at Longshoreman's Hall in San Francisco in 1966.

"I'm a Believer," by the Monkees, topped the UK charts for four weeks in 1967.

"Colonel" Tom Parker (Elvis Presley's manager) died of a stroke in 1997.

Journey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005. (why?)

Patsy Cline won "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" program in 1957, singing "Walking After Midnight.”

In 1957, Filming begins on Elvis Presley's second movie, "Loving You.”

Blues pianist Charles Brown passed away at age 76 in 1999.

In 1982, B.B. King donated his record collection to the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture. The treasures included a 7000-strong blues collection he built during his years as a DJ.

In 1950, Billy Ocean was born in Trinidad as Leslie Sebastian Charles.

Happy birthday to Troggs guitarist Chris Britton, who was born in Watford, England in 1945.

Yes hits number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, with their only Top Ten hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart". It reached #28 hit in the UK.

In 1989, Steve Wahrer, drummer and vocalist for The Trashmen on their 1964 hit "Surfin' Bird,” died of throat cancer at the age of 47.

"Nobody Told Me," by John Lennon, from the posthumously released 'Milk and Honey' album, cracked the Top Forty in 1984. It will peak at #5 and be the last of 13 charting singles by Lennon spanning 15 years.

In 1990, MTV launched season premiere of "MTV Unplugged," an acoustic music series. The first episode features performances by Squeeze, Syd Straw, and Elliot Easton from the Cars.

This Day In Music History Jan 19

Phil Everly was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1939.

In 1943, Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas.

In 1993, the reunited quintet, Fleetwood Mac including Buckingham, performed "Don't Stop" at President Clinton's Inaugural Gala.

Carl Perkins died in 1998, following a battle with throat cancer. Carl wrote and recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" which went to number 2 for him in 1956, selling 2 million copies. The Elvis Presley version topped out at number 20 the same year.

Shelley Fabares ("Johnny Angel") turns 64.

The late Robert Palmer ("Bad Case Of Loving You") was born in 1949.

Marty Robbins made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1953.

Today in 1959, the song "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by the Platters, topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

In 2006, soul dynamo Wilson Pickett, who pumped out hits like "In the Midnight Hour" and "Mustang Sally," died after suffering a heart attack. He was 64.

In 1994, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts John Lennon, Bob Marley, Rod Stewart, the Grateful Dead, Elton John, the Animals, the Band, and Duane Eddy.

Vocalist/guitarist Dewey Bunnell of America was born in Yorkshire, England in 1951.

In 1946, Appalachian singer and actress Dolly Parton was born in Locust Ridge, Tenn.

In 1971, the court hears the Beatles' recording of "Helter Skelter" at the trial of Charles Manson. Manson claimed to have heard secret messages in the music that led him to order the murders of actress Sharon Tate and others. At the scene of one of his gruesome murders, the words "helter skelter" were written on a mirror.

In 1957, Johnny Cash made his first network TV appearance, on CBS' "Jackie Gleason Show" .

In 1963, The Beatles appear on Thank Your Lucky Stars where they perform "Please Please Me." It was their first national U.K. TV appearance.

1976 saw The Beatles being offered $30 million to perform for one show by U.S. promoter Bill Sargent. Solo sets are OK but the group has to play together for a minimum of 20 minutes. The Beatles decline.

Denny Doherty, the angelic voice that carried the '60s folk-pop group The Mamas and Papas through such memorable hits as "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday", died January 19th, after suffering an aneurysm in his abdomen. He was 66.

In 1986, Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at a benefit for laid off 3M workers in Asbury Park, NJ. He sang a handful of songs including “My Hometown.”

In 1957, Pat Boone sang at Dwight Eisenhower's presidential inauguration ball.

In 1983, bassist Lamar Williams of the Allman Brothers Band died in Los Angeles of cancer. Williams had served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange.

Today in 1974, the song "Show and Tell" by Al Wilson topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

The Man Who ‘Dressed the King’

By Robert Benson

Fashion designer extraordinaire, Bill Belew, passed away on January 7, 2008 in Palm Springs, CA at age 77.

Best known for designing the elaborate and iconic Elvis Presley ‘jumpsuits,’ Belew also created costumes for stage, screen and television during his 50 year career; including costumes for such stars as Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Flip Wilson, Brooke Shields and Gloria Estefan among others.

But it was his flamboyant and bejeweled jumpsuits (with matching capes) that the King of rock ‘n’ roll adopted as his own that made Belew a household name.
“Bill Belew changed the face of rock ‘n’ roll fashion,” related Presley costume historian Butch Polston. “He is the one who created the jumpsuits, after that, everybody wanted to dress like Elvis.”

Belew’s collaboration with Elvis began when he was commissioned to design the wardrobe for Elvis’s 1968 television special. He also designed the tight-fitting black leather outfit that Presley loved and Presley was heard saying, “If the songs don’t go over, we can do a medley of costumes.”

The costumes enriched Elvis’s personality and were even given names, such as the ‘Burning Love Suit’ (red with several pinwheel designs), the ‘Flame Suit’ (in which the first of two versions had large jewels in a flame design on the front, on the back and down the legs), the ‘Dragon Suit’ (which was an embroidered dragon embellished with rhinestones) and Elvis’s favorite, the ‘Peacock Suit’ (which featured a peacock on the front and back in chain-stitch embroidery with feathers tapering off the tail of the peacock that ran down the entire side of the suit).

“The simplest outfits that didn’t seem particularly remarkable on the rack transformed into something spectacular when Elvis put them on,” said Belew. “He was that beautiful and powerful a presence.”

And so was Bill Belew, who remained Elvis’s wardrobe designer until Elvis’s untimely demise.

This Day In Music History- Jan 17

Cat woman Eartha Kitt, whose raspy-voiced delivery made VH1 dub her one of the 100 Greatest Women in Rock, was born in North, S.C. in 1927.

Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Ian Stewart perform together for the first time at London's Marquee Jazz Club in 1963.

In 1972, a section of Bellevue Boulevard in Memphis was renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard. The remaining length of road kept its original name after protests from the Bellevue Baptist Church.

Barry Manilow had the number one record in the US in 1976 with "I Write The Songs.” Ironically, he wrote many of his hits, but he didn't write this one; Bruce Johnson of The Beach Boys did.

In 2003, Charlie Webber of The Swingin' Medallions, died of cancer on January 17th at the age of 57. The group was best known for their 1966 hit, "Double Shot Of My Baby's Love.”

Mick Taylor (one-time member of the Rolling Stones) turns 60.

Billy Stewart ("Summertime") dies, along with three members of his band, in an auto accident near Smithfield, North Carolina, in 1970.

In 1994,Donny Osmond fights Danny Bonaduce of the Partridge Family in a charity boxing match in Chicago (Danny wins a controversial split decision-Must See TV!)

The Blues Brothers make their first appearance on NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live” in 1976.

The first Led Zeppelin album (self-titled) was released in 1969.

In 2004, Art Garfunkel was arrested in Hurley, NY, for pot possession after cops pulled him over for speeding and subsequently smell marijuana wafting from his limousine(so that’s what he does in his spare time).

In 1975, Bob Dylan released Blood on the Tracks, arguably his most important album of the '70s.

In 1970, the Doors performed the first of two nights at New York's Felt Forum. The dates are recorded for their live album Absolutely Live.

In 1967 an article appeared in today's Daily Mail about the "holes in our roads." The snippet gives John Lennon an idea for a lyric in his song "A Day in the Life." (interesting)

Steve Earle was born Fort Monroe, Va. in 1955. The country outlaw went from "Copperhead Road" to working as a guard at a crack house to resurrecting his career with 1995's “Train A Comin'.”

Chris Montez ("Let's Dance") was born in 1943 in Los Angeles as Christopher Montanez.

In 1945, the Delfonics' singer William Hart was born in Washington, D.C. The soul group's biggest hit was 1968's "La - La - Means I Love You."

Blue-eyed British soul boy Paul Young ("Everytime You Go Away") was born in 1956.

In 1969, "Lady Samantha" was released in England. It was one of the very first recordings by Reginald Kenneth Dwight, better known as Elton John.

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Finding Quality Vinyl Records Online

It Is Easier Than You Think

By Robert Benson

While CD sales continue to plummet and music consumers go “digital,” there is an audio format that has endured through all the other formats that were supposed to bring it to its demise. As we read about the resurgence in the production and sale of vinyl records (up ten percent from last year), some still assume that finding vinyl is a hard process.

And although the ‘brick and mortar’ stores may be closing up shop, a new avenue for vinyl lovers has come to the forefront; the ‘online record shop.’
From the ‘big box’ online retailers like Music Stack, GEMM, Net Music, and even ebay to the small independent dealers like vinylcollective.com, diversevinyl.com, heydj.com and many more, finding quality new and used vinyl records has become quite easy.

I spoke with Lorie Beshara operator and owner of a small vinyl website called www.BackToVinylRecords.com about this phenomenon and the enjoyment she gets from, not only the music, but this historic format as well.

“I have been selling vinyl records since the year 2000, but I have been collecting vinyl forever,” Lorie said. “I was raised in a family of musicians and I have a great love and appreciation for all kinds of music. In fact, my Mother was a singer with some of the all-time greats including Ted Weems, Artie Shaw and Les Brown, among others. My Father was a very famous drummer (at one time he was named the drummer of the year) and he also produced a band called Fuse. I still have some of my Mother’s old records; I cannot bring myself to part with those.”

I asked Lorie if she remembered the first 45 rpm that she purchased.

“Oh my, yes, the first 45 I bought was “Surfer Girl,” by the Beach Boys, when I was fourteen. They were very popular and I just loved their sound,” recalled Lorie.

She held on to all her records and she decided to go into business online selling used vinyl that she has accumulated over the years from garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores and what she can find locally. But before she opened www.BackToVinylRecords.com, she had to research the best methods of cleaning and grading records.

“Some of the records are so dirty, but will certainly play great once they are cleaned up a bit. So I did extensive research as to the optimum way to clean and grade them,” said Lorie.

After trying several different methods, Lorie has discovered a simple, yet very effective way, to clean up the records she has for sale.

“Each record is meticulously cleaned using a UPI Record Cleaning Machine using ionized water, which helps eliminate static. It also takes off all the dust, dirt, human oils and nicotine off the records,” explained Lorie. “Then I dry the records with a microfiber cloth.”

We talked about the very subjective and tricky element of grading vinyl records.

“I am very, very picky about my grading and especially so with a rare and valuable record,” detailed Lorie. “All the records I sell are, not only professionally cleaned, but I also “play grade” them (for 45’s I play grade the ‘A’ side) and I love listening to the old music. I then incorporate the Goldmine Grading Standard to them and give the buyer a clear indication of the quality of a record. I do grade conservatively and the condition of the album cover (for 33 rpm) or the 45 rpm record sleeves are also taken into account. I use Jerry Osborne’s “Cyberguides,” (which is a real-time weekly update of his Rockin’ Records Price Guide) GEMM or Musicstack to gage what a particular record may be selling for and combined with the condition, I ascertain how much I will be selling the record for.”

Besides BackToVinylRecords.com website, Lorie also sells her records on ebay.
“Ebay is a wonderful option, you have a targeted buyer that may be looking for exactly what you are selling,” said Lorie. “It is also a great place to find rare and undervalued records. And we sell 45’s from all genres, from big band, blues and country to folk, gospel, rock and everything in-between.”

But Lorie and her husband have also incorporated a novel concept with the records that don’t pass her strict grading policies. They have created the “Rock N Roll Beverage Coaster,” a fast-selling novelty gift.

These 45 rpm coasters make great gifts and conversation pieces,” added Lorie. “We take an unplayable oldie, coat it in a thick high gloss acrylic finish, add a cork backing and they fit into any bar or living room. These are used records, so the labels may show signs of wear and tear and slight defects, but that is their charm.”

In a musical arena filled with thousands of online retailers pitching vinyl records, it is refreshing to find a small “Mom & Pop” shop, where you can not only find quality used vinyl records, but have personal service, a unique gift option and a music lover that appreciates the memories that we all have of our treasured music format.

This Day In Music History- Jan 15

The Supremes were signed to Motown Records in 1961.

In 1972, Don McLean hit the #1 position with "American Pie.”

Sollie McElroy of the Flamingos passed away in 1995.

Harry Nilsson ("Without You" and a Lennon crony) died of heart disease in 1994.

The Rolling Stones perform a cleaned-up "Let's Spend Some Time Together" on CBS-TV's "Ed Sullivan Show" (at Ed's request) in 1967.

"Happy Days" premiered on ABC-TV in 1974.

Today in 1977, the song "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," by Leo Sayer, topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

In 1993 the great lyricist Sammy Cahn died in Los Angeles at age 79. He was a favorite of Frank Sinatra's, he co-wrote "All the Way" and "Come Fly With Me."

In 1966, The Beatles remain at No. 1 this week in the US with "We Can Work It Out."

Eddie "Sonny" Bivins of New Jersey R&B vocal group the Manhattans ("Kiss and Say Goodbye") was born in 1942.

Famed drummer Gene Krupa was born in 1909 in Chicago.

Captain Beefheart was born in 1941, in Glendale, Calif., as Don Van Vliet.

In 1964, Vee Jay records filed a lawsuit against Capitol and Swan Records over manufacturing and distribution rights to Beatles recordings.

Elvis Presley reportedly drew the largest audience for a single TV show at the time, when he presented a live, worldwide concert from Honolulu in 1972.

Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant, was born in Jacksonville, FL in 1948.

Drummer Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones in 1962.

Guitarist Joe Walsh made his debut with the Eagles in 1976 and signs on for the group’s Australia/Japan tour.

The Eagles’ “Hotel California” is the #1 album in the U.S. in 1977. The album is already platinum (one million sales) and contains the title track and “New Kid In Town.”

The Beach Boys enter Billboard's Hot 100 for the 23rd time with their version of "Barbara Ann", (previously a hit for the Regents in 1961). The song was recorded live at a party and actually features the voice of Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean on lead vocal. The record peaked at #2 in the US and stayed on the charts for eleven weeks.

In 1983, Australia's Men At Work owned both number one spots on the US albums and singles charts. "Down Under" was the second #1 single from the "Business As Usual" album, following "Who Can It Be Now.” The L.P. was also at the top of the UK chart, a feat previously accomplished only by Rod Stewart, Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles.

Sean Lennon's remake of his father's hit, "Give Peace A Chance" was released in 1991 to coincide with the United Nation's midnight deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. The lyrics are updated to reflect the concerns of the day.

An oddity in the music business occurred in 1969 when Atlantic Records traded the contract of -Richie Furay for Graham Nash-with CBS Records. Furay is now free to work with Poco and Graham can partner with David Crosby and Stephen Stills for CS&N.

Join Jerry Osborne's Vinyl Forum

Ask "Mr. Music" is in its 22nd year of syndication (1986-2008). Jerry Osborne has also opened up a new forum for all vinyl and music lovers....stop by for a visit!




http://www.jerryosborne.com/cgi-bin/Forum/YaBB.pl

This Day In Music History- January 13

In 1979, Donny Hathaway ("Where Is The Love" with Roberta Flack) falls to his death from the 15th floor of a New York City hotel room (ruled a suicide, though evidence suggests it was accidental).

In 1970, John Lennon and Yoko Ono cut their hair and donate it to a charity auction.

British police arrested the Who's Pete Townshend in 2003, on suspicion of possession of child pornography (he says it was "research" and receives an official caution).

In 1999, the performing rights group BMI proclaims the most-performed song of the century is the Righteous Brothers' 1965 # 1 hit "You've Lost That Loving Feeling."

The Beatles released “I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the U.S. in 1964. Let Beatlemania begin!

Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of the Doobie Brothers was born in Washington, D.C. in 1948.

In 1948, Tony Gomez, organist with English soul act the Foundations ("Build Me Up Buttercup"), was born in Sri Lanka.

Anthony Faas of Philadelphia, PA, patented the accordion in 1854.

1957 saw Elvis Presley record "All Shook Up" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin" in Hollywood.

In 1968, Dr. K.C. Pollack of the University of Florida audio lab, reported that tests found that the noise levels at rock & roll concerts was harmful to teenage ears. (and we loved it anyway!)

The Y.M.C.A. filed a lawsuit against the Village People in 1979 over their song, "Y.M.C.A." The suit was later dropped.

Elvis Presley entered the American Sound Studio in Memphis ("Memphis Sessions") in 1969, where he will cut some of the finest recordings of his career, including the hits "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds." It is the first time he's recorded in his hometown since 1956.

Backed by an all-star band in 1973, guitar legend Eric Clapton performed a solo concert at London's Rainbow Theatre. It is promoted as a comeback concert, returning Clapton to the public eye after a reclusive period of heroin addiction. Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert is released in abbreviated form on LP (6 tracks) in 1973 and in expanded form on CD (14 tracks) in 1995.

In 1958, radio station KWK in St. Louis declared that Rock n’ Roll was dead. After giving their Rock n’ Roll records one final play, the station staff started breaking them. (real smart, eh?)

In 2006, it was announced that The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love" and Bob Dylan's "Bringing It All Back Home" albums will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The inductees represent "the most significant recorded musical masterpieces that have had a profound impact on our culture," says Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.

"The Twist," by Chubby Checker, topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks in 1962.

Blue Note Releasing Classic Music

Blue Note Records To Release 'Droppin' Science' Feb. 12

On February 12, Blue Note Records will release Droppin' Science, a unique collection of the legendary label's classic late 60s through mid-70s jazz-funk tracks, all of which have featured prominently as samples in some of the greatest hip hop cuts of the late 80s, 90s and beyond.

This Day In Music History- Jan 11

In 1963, Sam Cooke's late show at the Harlem Square Club in Miami, Florida, was recorded by RCA for possible release as a live album.

"Little Boxes," by Pete Seeger, entered Billboard's Top 100 in 1964. It is his one and only entry on the pop charts.

In 1975, "#9 Dream," from John Lennon’s Walls and Bridges LP, entered the Top Forty, where it will peak, appropriately, at #9.

In 1986, "Living in America," the theme song from Rocky IV, reached #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, becoming James Brown's biggest pop hit since "I Got You (I Feel Good)" went to #3 in 1965.

Spencer Dryden of Jefferson Airplane passed away in 2005.

The big man - Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band - was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1942.

In 2005, Jimmy Griffin, guitarist with soft rock superstars Bread and co-author of the Carpenters' hit "For All We Know," passed away from cancer complications in Nashville aged 61.

Mickey Finn, percussionist for '70s glam rockers T. Rex ("Get It On (Bang A Gong)") died in a hospital south of London in 2003 at age 55.

Vicki Peterson, guitarist with the Bangles and the Continental Drifters, was born in Los Angeles in 1960.

The Whiskey-a-Go-Go opens in Los Angeles in 1963. The rock club would become a hangout for musicians trying to break into the music industry, as well as the launch pad for the Doors.

In 1967, Jimi Hendrix recorded "Purple Haze.”

The Beach Boys recorded "Do You Wanna Dance,” in 1965.

In 1992, Paul Simon became the first international performer to play in Johannesburg, South Africa after a U.N. apartheit boycott was lifted.

Chuck Barksdale, bass vocalist with the R&B group the Dells ("Oh What A Night"), was born in Chicago in 1935.

In 1964, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash became the first country album to top the U.S. pop album chart.

Nirvana appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” At the end of a song, Krist Novoselic hurls his bass into the air. Unfortunately, it comes down right on top of him. (*ouch*)

The Coasters record their first tracks for Atlantic Records in 1956.

"Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen was the number one song on the Cash Box music chart in 1964. For a while, the record was banned by some US radio stations because of its indecipherable lyrics, which were rumored to contain some naughty words. Even the F.B.I. investigated the song, but finally concluded that they could find nothing wrong. (what a long way ‘censorship’ has come !)

New Vinyl Information!

Always on the lookout for interesting and informative vinyl record sites, check out this blog about "bootleg" vinyl, the gent is very well informed!

http://scottythered.livejournal.com/3332.html

Vinyl Art - A New Canvas

By Robert Benson


Album cover art has a fascinating and long history. From the days of Alex Steinweiss to pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roger Dean, album cover art has evolved; with some highly praised covers (i.e. the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper LP) to the controversial, including Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” that featured nude women.

But using old, generally unplayable vinyl records (LP’s) as a canvas, artist Daniel Edlen is creating one-of-a-kind ‘Vinyl Art’ masterpieces, adding a new dimension to the art of vinyl albums.

I spoke with Daniel about his love of art and music and how he is able to merge the two on the unique canvas of a vinyl record.

“My Dad introduced me to records with the Beatles’ “Revolver” album,” explained Daniel. “My Mom volunteered for the local library, running the used book sales. They would get records as donations and I got first crack at them because they were usually too beat up and they didn't sell well. Then I had an art project in my teens with white pencil on black paper and I thought, why not try to paint on some of these old records.”

But as a record collector yourself, isn’t this almost blasphemy, using a vinyl record as a canvas?

“I have struggled with that question, especially after the reaction I've gotten from some collectors. My answer is that I do try use albums that would practically ruin a good phonograph needle, and also, I'm turning something that likely would sit in a box in someone's garage into something they can hang on their wall to celebrate their musical culture. It's something unique and creative that is a great ice-breaker, starting conversations about music, art, and all things retro.”

When asked about the process, Daniel detailed:

“The actual painting part of the process verges on meditation for me, it just flows. I'm always listening to music while I work, often whom I'm painting. It's a joy to do what I do, and when I write my blog posts, I often end up adding how lucky I feel that my passion allows me to touch people. The tricky part is finding and sizing the right image of the musician. I place the portrait so the label becomes part of the composition, sometimes highlighting specific information, like the title of the album or certain tracks that make that particular record special or important. I use just white acrylic paint, using the density to create the shading. The whole process takes about a day."

Recently, Daniel has also begun creating time-lapse videos that he's uploaded to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dedlen. These show the development of the paintings, using about twenty-five pictures taken as the painting goes through its stages, and are backed by music recorded by the subject of the piece.

So, just who is Daniel Edlen? Obviously a very talented artist, he would draw and paint for fun and enjoyment throughout his formative years and after experimenting with other art media (such as sculpture), he did a few pieces of what he now calls ‘Vinyl Art’ for friends and family as gifts.

His audience not only loved his work, they encouraged him to try selling them. So with the support of his wife, family and friends, Daniel decided to utilize his talent and passion to, not only make something new from something old, but to create a whole new way for music-lovers to share that passion. For Daniel, the payoff is peoples' reaction when they see the pieces for the first time.

Daniel has opened up a web site and online gallery http://www.vinylart.info/why.htm so the public can see just what he does. Framed simply in a black metal LP frame with the album sleeve behind, the focus is on the original painting.

As a vinyl record collector and enthusiast, I am excited and just marvel at the ‘Vinyl Art’ history and one-of-a-kind paintings that Daniel Edlen creates everyday. Daniel keeps his audiences craving more, and as an artist, that is all you could ever wish for.