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Music Collecting Stories - continued
New York Story
Where to start? My music collection started circa 1980. I am a 41 year old transplanted Jamaican who came here at 14 years old in 1979 the year disco died. I like to call it. Michael Jackson had "Off The Wall," Frankie Crocker on WBLS ruled the airwaves and cable was a fantasy in Queens, NY.
Being a Jamaican, I was raised on a steady reggae and soul diet. Plus, throw in UK & US easy listening and vocalists such as Shirley Bassey, Nat King Cole, Marty Robbins, Perry Como, Andy Williams and more.
My first record purchased which I still own today was a 7" single by a New Wave synth artist named Gary Numan called "Cars." As time went on, I saved up many a lunch money to buy me the latest 12'' singles and albums. I would continue to build my collection over the years as I went to college and discovered used record stores. There I would find past treasures, imported vinyl and promotional singles of tracks that never saw the light of day commercially.
I fell into DJ'ing parties and the lot and my taste became very diverse. During the 80's I was a die-hard new waver. A Flock Of Seagulls were my favourite band and the first band I collected. I had all the imported singles, LPs, picture discs, etc. I enlisted the help of numerous pen pals in the UK who would send me records and tapes.
As time marched on, I got my first job. My Mom who was somewhat strict but a serious music lover who'd yell at me every time she saw me come in with a paper or plastic bag holding vinyl treats. I had to sneak in records from time to time. Later on, I was on a serious quest for Prince's "1999" on 12'' single. I was going to college on 23rd Street in Manhattan and the local Record Factory had a German 12'' import at $4.99. That was the rate imports went for. I ended up collecting Prince 12'' singles after that. I also got into buying doubles of stuff. in case a copy broke or to trade with other DJ buddies. My collection originally was 2 milk crates of records. One with US music and the other filled with reggae.
CDs came into play around 1987. My first CD was a Japanese copy of "Introspective" by Pet Shop Boys. They became the 3rd artist I began to collect religiously. I was crazy about "West End Girls." I bought every single pressing and sleeve. I also started getting into non-music memorabilia. I managed to acquire autographed copies of albums and CDs from scouring used record stores and flea markets.
My collection became more eclectic as I started hanging out at the Cat Club in the 1980's. The resident jock was a guy named David Azarc who was a veteran stemming from the Mudd Club era. He spun everything from punk, reggae, hip hop, rock and dance. He had rare 12''s that blew my mind. I had never seen a 12'' single of "Warm Leatherette" by The Normal or an import 12'' of "Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop. I even saw a US promo 12'' of Grace Jones "La Vie En Rose." We became friends and are still in touch to this day. He even gave me a few 12''s and I loaned him a few records from time to time. I would sometime locate records for DJ buddies as well.
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