1 week Ago By Zach Petroff
Move over, Spotify — it appears vinyl records are having a resurgence as both newer and seasoned listeners are rediscovering (or discovering) the nostalgia and the charm of records in an increasingly digital world. Pat Thomas owner of Vintage Antiques in Uniontown said she’s noticed that sales of vinyl records have “soared” recently. “It’s a trend that is coming full circle,” Thomas said.
“It’s just like fashion, everything eventually seems to come around.” Saturday is National Record Store Day. Established in 2008, the biannual event is meant to celebrate independently owned record stores.
Held on the third Saturday in April and on Black Friday in November, the retro holiday is designed to unite fans, artists and independent shops worldwide. Music artists also participate in the holiday. Last year, alternative rock band Pearl Jam released their album “Dark Matter” for the occasion, and this year, pop megastar Taylor Swift is contributing with a special 7′′ vinyl release of her song “Fortnight.
” In the spirit of the vibrant celebration, owner of Remixxd by Steel City Galleries in Belle Vernon Don Spagnolo plans to bring in local DJ and “music encyclopedia” Lenny Thomas on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. “We’re collaborating with DJ Lenny Thomas from Houston (in Washington County), who will be joining us on Saturday with at least 10,000 records for sale.
He’ll be offering some special deals, and with such a large collection, he’ll be able to answer anyone’s questions – he’s like an encyclopedia of music,” Spagnolo said. And while the holiday has been around since 2008, the rise of vinyl has recently seen a major upswing. In 2022, the Recording Industry Association of America reported a 17% increase in vinyl record revenues, reaching $1.
2 billion. It was also the first year that record albums outsold CDs since 1987, with 41 million units sold compared to 33 million. Spagnolo said he believes the resurgence has to do with current artists releasing their albums on vinyl.
He also credits Taylor Swift for introducing the medium to an entire new generation. “She releases so many different variations of her album on vinyl it’s definitely caused a lot of young people to rediscover records,” he said. He also noted the ability for music enthusiasts to be able to physically hold an album has also played a role in the revival of records.
“Collecting has made its way back. It evolves with the times and keeps finding new ways to engage people, whether through autographed versions or the various formats they offer. It resonates with people, creating a connection to their favorite bands.
” Spagnolo said. Vinyl records have a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century with the introduction of using wax cylinders to record sound. As technology evolved, those early recordings transitioned to shellac discs, and ultimately to vinyl in the late 1940s, offering a more flexible and durable medium.
Ray Polaski, owner of Yesterday’s Today’s Antiques and Crafts Store in Uniontown, said he’s witnessed a growing interest in vinyl records among a diverse group of customers. “There are people that are just collectors, and then there are those who consider vinyl a better way of recording music, and then there are those who are buying it for nostalgia, to relive a part of their childhood,” he said. Regarding the best-selling genres in his store, Polaski noted that country music and rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s have been particularly popular among vinyl buyers.
He acknowledged that while most genres enjoy a healthy demand, there is one notable exception. “We don’t sell a lot of classical music on vinyl,” he said. Spagnolo expanded on those sentiments, noting that classic acts like the Beatles and Frank Sinatria have been popular among vinyl collectors as well as more modern genres and artists.
“There’s been a lot of interest in 60s, 70s and 80s rock. Hip-hop is another hot seller lately, ” he said. Vinyl record enthusiast Marge Eiben, of Cannonsburg, said she’s also noticed that records are back in vogue.
“My 25-year-old son is into collecting, and now he wants my vinyl,” she said laughing. “We joke that when I die that’s what he wants in my collection.” Eiben, who sells classic vinyl records, among other things, as a vendor at Vintage Secrets in Washington County, is matter-of-fact about why vinyl is making a comeback: its superior sound quality.
“It’s just better, and for audiophiles, that sound is what you want,” she said. Thomas, who will set up shop at Remixxd on Saturday, agreed. “I think the resurgence has to do with the sound of the vinyl and the fact that some songs are on vinyl that you cannot get on a CD,” he said.
Whatever the reason, Eiben said she’s happy to have her son, Reese, share her love for vintage rock music. But there is one thing she’s not willing to give up – not even for her kin. “He’s not getting my Led Zeppelin catalog,” she said.
“Not yet.”.
