Flipping Through 70s Vinyl...
In the heart of the 1970s, when bell-bottoms were in fashion and the air was filled with the soulful tunes of rock and roll, there existed a haven for music lovers – the local record store on Chew Ave. just of 5th St. Nestled in a cozy corner of town, the store was a headshop with a treasure trove of vinyl albums too, each holding the promise of a musical journey.
On a lazy Saturday afternoon, the sun seeping through the colorful beads hanging on the door, young Billy found himself at the threshold of this musical sanctuary. With wide eyes and a heart full of anticipation, he stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of Incense, and the sound of classic rock tracks softly played in the background.
The shelves were adorned with album covers and posters that seemed like portals to another world. Billy’s fingers traced the edges of Pink Floyd’s iconic prism on "The Dark Side of the Moon," and he marveled at Led Zeppelin’s majestic airship on the cover of "Physical Graffiti." The store was a haven for bands that were worshipped like gods – The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Queen, and of course, the enigmatic Led Zeppelin.
However, the real magic happened when Billy approached the section marked "FM Radio Exclusives." These were the albums from bands that only the lucky ones could hear on the elusive FM radio stations. The mainstream AM waves might have been ruled by pop hits, but FM was the realm of true musical exploration.
With trembling hands, Billy picked up an album from a band called "Genesis." He had heard whispers about their progressive sound, a blend of rock and artistry that seemed to transcend the ordinary and at that moment the album started playing in the store. As the needle descended onto the vinyl, he was transported into a world where lyrics were poetry and melodies were enchantments.
Billy spent some time flipping through the albums and discovered the cosmic sounds of Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here," an album that felt like a journey through space and time. The ethereal voice of David Gilmour resonated with the melancholy of the era, echoing the sentiments of a generation in search of meaning.
As he flipped through the albums, each cover told a story, and the music playing was a melody that resonated with the essence of the 70s. The store became a sanctuary where dreams were spun from vinyl, and the music became the heartbeat of a generation seeking solace in its rhythm. Plus you could get rolling papers too.
In the years that followed, Billy became a regular visitor to the store. And every time he flipped through those vinyl albums, he felt a connection to a magical era when music was not just heard, but felt deep within the soul. The bands that once graced the FM airwaves had become timeless legends, and the record store remained a portal to the golden age of rock and roll, a place where the spirit of the 70s lived on through every note and lyric. It was a sad day when the store close. But Billy for refuge in Jerry's a record shop in downtown Philly, but that is a whole nother adventure.
Belle Webb © 2023