The Fate of the 78

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

Last week I asked to hear from anyone who remembers the fate of many of the 78rpm records of our time. If you think about it, we were the last generation to have lived through the transition from 78rpm records to the more common 45rpm ones. I specifically remember my family's small record collection included several 78rpm records. From about 1898 to the 1950s, an estimated 3 million sides were made on 78rpm discs. For about half a century, the discs were commonly made from shellac and these records typically ran at a rotational speed of 78 rpm, giving it the nickname "78s" ("seventy-eights"). The format is obsolete, and just picking them up can cause them to break apart in your hands. I remember we would still play them, even if they had cracks which would produce an audible pop sound with each revolution of the record. The phrase broken record refers to a malfunction, when the needle skips/jumps back to the previous groove and plays the same section over and over again indefinitely.

Now back to my original question: What was the fate of many of them? The answer I was seeking involves sometime I remember from the Madison County Fair. One of the booths I remember from each year's fair involved the 78rmp records, and softballs. Since the records were so fragile someone came up with one of the "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry" games where you threw the softball in an attempt to break the records which had been set up on boards in the back of the tent. If you were lucky enough to break enough records with your throws, you won a prize like a Teddy Bear. Of course  I don't remember how much it costs to play, nor do I remember anyone who ever won a prize doing so.

I can't help but wonder how many records which would be collectable today became the victims of those games, but I am sure there were a lot. 

The Wayback Machine

"Love Me" - Elvis Presley

Even though only twenty-nine Elvis 78 rpm sin­gles were re­leased in the US, each is a rather rare record. Aside from their rel­a­tive rarity, 78s are fragile and dif­fi­cult to find in near-mint con­di­tion. Plus, for com­pletist col­lec­tors, there are mul­tiple press­ings of each number! Depending upon the condition, prices vary for many of the Elvis 78rpm records. I found one 78rpm copy of "Love Me" listed on eBay for $83.18.

Last week Craig Bannecke shared this picture with me. As a loyal contributor himself, I am sure he and other submitters knew how I sometimes feel when I bring up a subject and never hear back from anyone about the idea I was sharing. It goes well with my current topic of the music of our teenage lives. I am sure many of you do not have the wonderful memories of the music of our times which I share with the ones who do. I found the picture funny because many of us have felt like we were in a situation like this many times in our lives.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, 

And Comments

CRAIG BANNECKE, LHS ‘65, "I'm so glad to see Marty Robbins Gun Fighter Album featured this week. It was one of my all-time favorites as a young teen. As a matter fact that album was probably the first record I ever bought. El Paso and Big Iron were my two favorites all the songs on the album and were very good and I would play them over and over and over ad nauseam. My parents would finally come in and say "That's enough" White Sports Coat was another Robbins favorite of mine and as I have mentioned before one of the local radio stations would always play it in the Spring prior to the various high school graduations."

Ron Davidson, LHS '65, "Is there going to be a reunion at any time in the future. If so, can you please PM the information and how to register? Thank you so much."

Editor's Reply: "I have no knowledge of any pending reunion this year. The classes of '63, '64, and '65 have historically held reunions based on the '65 anniversary date, which would put it next year."