The Beginning of the Stereo Age

Submitted by Bob Ramsdell August 5th, 2010

This

This record is a compact 33 rpm record which was made up by RCA to show people the difference in sound between a monaural and a stereo record. This was about the time I bought my first stereo record player. The four performers do the same song on each side.

Sam Cooke sings “Hey There”

Neil Sedaka sings “Circulate”

Rod Lauren sings “Young, Warm and Wonderful”

The Browns sing “Who’s Gonna Buy You Ribbons?”

3 Responses to “The Beginning of the Stereo Age”

  1. Allee Willis

    I love old LPs that demonstrate the wonders of stereo. I also love when compilations include famous singers but with relatively unknown cuts. I loved all these singers.

    Do you still have a stereo? Do you still play vinyl?

  2. Bob Ramsdell

    Yes, I got my first stereo playing unit in 1948 and still have some of my early records. I used to subscribe to High Fidelity and Stereo Magazine and took their recommendations to buy records….besides the local store had a very cute red head working there who I used to date once in a while. I have around 3,500 records in folk, jazz, country and western, classical, comedy. I have records in record magazines and records. Recently, I sold 12 Bob Dylan records for $150. I really don’t like his records but had gotten some at thrift shops and garage sales. My best sale was a record I got at a thrift store for 50 cents and sold for $210. It was Phil Spector’s only record as part of a “garage” band. I wish I had it after he was convicted of murder. I was at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival and have home movies. In it are Dizzy Gillespie, Charley Mingus, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Vince Girauldi and the Modern Jazz Quartet, my all time favorite. One morning, we had breakfast at a Black Sambo Restaurant (before they switched to an East Indian logo). The MJQ was at the next table. Maybe I will find the film and have it transferred to DVD. If I do, I will send you a copy. The last record player I have used and still use, will play 45, 33 and 78 rpm, cassette tapes and CD’s.

    • Allee Willis

      That all sounds FANTASTIC! I got rid of most of my vinyl about 15 years ago. It was all so heavy and taking up so much space. If I think of what I got rid of now – and I didn’t sell anything, I gave it away (stupidly) – I’ll break out into hives. I was so attached to my vinyl. Though I did keep all my absolute favorites and still have them in boxes down in my basement. Mostly 60s and 70s Pop Soul.