I remember my first record player. It was a little one that played 45s. I had my own collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy records along with a few random singles.

The second record player was the Fisher Price record player. Now that was a serious record player. I could play 33s on that one. In addition to Strawberry Shortcake, the Care Bears, and the Smurfs, I remember playing Prince’s Purple Rain, my 45 of Strawberry Beret, and the double album soundtrack of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the BeeGees and Peter Frampton.

It was all about vinyl. I remember dancing around the basement (I grew up in the east so we had basements) with my mom. I remember the album covers. Lips Incorporated, Sugar Hill Gang, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, the Pointer Sisters, the soundtrack to the Wiz…

I took care of my records. I made sure that they didn’t get scratched. I kept the jackets in good shape. There was a certain level of respect for records. CDs are fairly indestructable. I’ve destroyed many jewel cases and left many cds abandoned under the front seat of my car.

In case you were wondering, I still listen to all of the old stuff. Right now I am listening to Earth Wind & Fire. But it’s all mp3. One of these days I will go back to vinyl. I have a record player (just in case).