My dad bought me my first tape recorder in the early 1970s. This was before boom boxes. I bought a similar one many years later and used it for a long time (pictured on the left) I was about seven when Dad handed me the recorder for the first time and I thought it was the coolest invention ever. We’d drive around in his car on Saturday afternoons and he’d sing songs like “Yankee Doodle Dandy” into the recorder and try to get me to sing along or to say something so he could record it. I was bashful and I shied away from it at first, but I eventually warmed up to it. He also gave me a Tom Jones cassette with the tape recorder. It turned out to be my first cassette. I don’t remember a lot about it. But I do remember two things. First, Tom’s name was printed as “A-Tom-ic” Jones on the cassette. I thought that was pretty funny, even though I had no idea what it meant. Second, I remember a song called “Promise Her Anything.” In preparation for writing this post, I did a little online research to see if I could find the title of the album/cassette. “Promise Her Anything” appears on several of Jones’ albums, but I did find that it appeared on his 1966 album titled A-Tom-ic Jones. I’m thinking that it must be the one. I listened to the cassette quite a few times, but it never really resonated with me. I liked it because my dad gave it to me and somehow, even then, I felt like he’d given me a little piece of himself because music is so personal.
I’ve lost track of the cassette over the years, but I’m certain that it is in a box somewhere in my basement. The sound quality is probably muddied. The tape may or may not even work in a cassette deck. But the memory of it lives on.
What was your first album or cassette? Tell me the story behind it.
Other posts in this series:
7 comments:
In honor of my first birthday, my parents bought a stereo. (ha ha) It was "portable" but was so huge it covered a top of a washstand and it was quite heavy. Anyway, we had that stereo until I left home (and beyond,) 18 years later. Most of the albums and 45rpm records I listened to were their albums--almost all country.
I remember three 45s I listened to a lot--The Green Onion (all instrumental,) Memphis and Nancy Sinatra's Boots Are Made for Walking. I sing "Boots" now in our band. I don't remember my first cassette, but I do remember getting an 8-track player and 8 tracks. Loved Mac Davis, John Denver, Neil Diamond. I learned to play guitar to Neil Diamond!
Love this nostalgic "firsts" posts.
So funny to hear about how big your "portable" stereo was. Loved reading about your first albums, 45s, and eight tracks. And I'd love to hear you sing "Boots." Got a recording of it?
Hi Lee,
My first CD was from Dad....Garth Brooks Roping Fences or something like that...still have it somewhere...
He used to have Mark and I talk into the tape recorder, too. Somewhere I have a tape where Dad and I are talking and I'm singing "Goin' On A Bear Hunt" Think I was probably about three :)
Love ya, Nicky
Nicky, I hope you still have those tapes (the ones of you and Mark talking into the recorder) somewhere. If so, I'd love to listen to them sometime.
Yeah, I'd like to listen to the tapes again too. I'll look for them and maybe we can listen to them together when you come to town next month :)
Love ya, Nicky
My dad bought me a small portable record player for my 11th birthday. It wasnt like the kind of the 1950s where the top opened and the speaker was on the side. The one I received had three pieces - the base which held the turntable was one piece and then the two speakers fit together to make the top which connected to the base. It was hard plastic and that ubiquitous avocado green color. The first album I had, which he gave to me with the stereo, was "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys. Awesome! Thanks, Dad. If anyone knows of this kind of record player, please leave a comment. Thanks - Mari
What a great memory Mari . . . do you have a picture of the record player?
Post a Comment