By Dana Sanders
Dana Sanders with her new vinyl album, Purple Rain. Photo submitted. Forever, music has been used to express emotions when words do not seem to be enough. The soft melody of piano keys or the stroke of an acoustic guitar are able to express joy, pain, longing and other feelings that do not require words. And when music and words are put together, they can awaken countless souls.
In the late 1800s, we had phonographs which evolved to the “Victrola” – an adaptation of a phonograph designed to fit within the home to play vinyl records in the early 1900s. The Victrola featured the amplification horn folded below the turntable and concealed within a polished wood cabinet. The cabinet doors could be opened to reveal the horn and increase volume. The Victrola became the best-selling record player of its time.
The 1960s and 1970s were the era of vinyl records, 8-track tapes, and cassettes. The 1980s brought us boom boxes and CDs. MP3 players and iPODs were introduced in the late 1990s. At the turn of the century, we evolved to iTunes. It is amazing how music technology has evolved through the decades and centuries. Just like the seasons of life, music goes through cycles and trends. Let the music play…
Dana Sanders’ new “vintage” record player, a birthday present to herself. Photo submitted. My birthday was approaching and my husband, Jeff, asked what I wanted this year. I told him I wanted a vintage record player. His first response was, “What?” He wondered why I would want a record player and where would I find one, anyway? Of course, I had the answer! My youngest daughter Mia and I were Christmas shopping months before and saw them at Barnes and Noble in Duluth. It was so cool! It was a record player in a vintage style suitcase that included Audio Output and USB/Recording. I had to have it! Obviously, I must have been on the naughty list during Christmas as it wasn’t wrapped and under the tree. So, we planned our venture to Duluth to find my vintage record player for my birthday.
Upon arriving at Barnes and Noble and making our way to the music section, we ran into one of my husband’s friends from Hibbing, Paul Minerich. He and his wife Karen and their daughters Maddy and Maria were purchasing music DVDs and CDs. We got into talking about music. Paul was purchasing a classic Led Zeppelin CD. I started chatting with his daughters, inquiring what music they were thinking about getting. Maddy was trying to decide on what Beatles CD to get. Being a huge Beatles fan myself, I asked what her favorite Beatles song was and she replied “Eleanor Rigby” – as it defines herself. Maria decided on a Queen Concert DVD. The girls teasingly bickered about which band was better (I got your back, Maddy, on the Beatles!). Paul chimed in and started reminiscing about the good old days at the Jefferson Skating Rink in Hibbing with Queen blaring from the speakers in the warming shack while playing hockey with friends during his youth.
This sparked another conversation about timeless rock bands that shaped, moved and touched so many generations. We had Elvis Presley (The King) in the 50s. The legendary Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the intoxicating Jim Morrison and The Doors and many more that rocked Woodstock in the 60s. The sensational 70s was the era of Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, ACDC, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones. The electrifying 80s brought us Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, Journey, Poison and Brue Springsteen (The Boss). All of these bands were phenomenal artists and are still popular today with the younger generations.
After reminiscing about our favorite rock bands and the memories music sparked from our past, we headed over to the record players. Paul and Karen thought the vintage record player was really cool as well. As Jeff was paying for my new vintage record player, Paul and his family joined me in the vinyl record section. Because I had gotten rid of all of my vinyl albums and 45s from my youth, I had to start a new collection. This was way too much fun! It took me back to my youth when the Irongate Mall in Hibbing was the popular hangout as it was full of department stores, restaurants, a movie theater, an arcade and Music Land. In my younger teen years, my friends and I would hang out at the mall just about every weekend. One of our favorite stores was Music Land. Each week we would purchase a new vinyl album or 45 depending on how far our allowance would stretch.
It was so much fun looking through all of the vinyl album at Barnes and Noble. We were surprised at the selection as vinyl records was a trend from the past. What would my first new album be? Of course I was getting suggestions from Paul and his family. They were encouraging Led Zeppelin, Queen or the Beatles. I decided on Prince’s Purple Rain album. This was one of my favorite albums from my youth. This got Paul thinking about how many albums he still had stored in his basement and wondering if his turntable still worked. His girls were eager to get home to check it out.
Since the purchase of my vintage record player and first album, I have accumulated a diverse collection of albums ranging from the Beatles, Bob Marley, the Eagles, the Rolling Stones and many more. I have shared my excitement and new interest with many coworkers and friends. I have had family and friends surprise me with some new and used albums. It has been great fun! One of my friends told me that I could order albums from Amazonfor cheaper prices than in the stores, but I just can’t do it. For me, half the fun is the anticipation of going to the store to select a new album; it takes me back to a nostalgic time of my youth.
Music is such an important part of life. Think of all the memorable events that have taken place in your life. More than likely, music was a part of many of them. Some of the best advice that I ever received is very fitting for this story. I am very blessed to have my dear friend Marilyn in my life. She has been a true friend and very motherly to me. I always share with her the many ups and downs, challenges and opportunities that I face in my life. She once told me this: “Let the music play.”
Dana Sanders lives in Zim, MN.
