The MTV Era And The Birth of Music VideosWhen MTV launched on August 1, 1981, it did more than introduce music videos to cable television—it permanently transformed how artists were marketed, perceived, and collected. The MTV era marked the moment when sound and image fused into a single commercial force. For memorabilia collectors, it represents the birth of modern music branding: a time when visuals, fashion, logos, and video iconography became as valuable as vinyl records. MTV launched its MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, with t...
Collecting Picture Discs: Shapes, Colors, and RarityIn a world where music is often reduced to digital files and streaming playlists, there’s something delightfully tactile, nostalgic, and visually captivating about collecting picture discs. These unique records—pressed with colorful images, artist/band photos, logos, or conceptual artwork—represent more than just sound. They’re miniature canvases, time capsules, and love letters to music fans who value both the aesthetic and the emotional connection to the music they adore. Collecting picture...
A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store StandeesBefore streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
11 Of The Most Valuable Records Ever Sold (And the Stories Behind Them)Vinyl records aren’t just for audiophiles anymore—they’re serious business for collectors, investors, and music historians. Some records, because of their extreme rarity, cultural significance, or unique backstories, have fetched jaw-dropping prices at auctions and private sales. Here are eleven of the most valuable records ever sold, each with a fascinating story to match its price tag (these are in no particular order): The Beatles The Beatles (The White Album) No. 0000001 💰 Sold for: $790,...
This Week In Music History Jul 15-28The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JUL 19: Happy birthday to Brian May, born today in 1947, in Hampton, London! The iconic English musician, songwriter, and astrophysicist is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band Queen, he played a crucial role in creating some of the band's most memorable hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," &#...
Those We Lost In 2023Some great musical talents left us in 2023 and it's worth taking a minute to remember them and the musical gifts they left us with. Many are missing here for sure and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list but here are many of the most notable deaths from last year in chronological order (name, known for, age, date of death, location if known, cause of death if known): Fred White, Earth, Wind & Fire 67, January 1, 2023 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Undisclosed causes Sebastian Mar...
This Week In Music History Jan 3-16The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JAN 6: Today in 1956, Elvis Presley would play his last gig in a small auditorium! He played at the Randolph High School gymnasium in Mississippi. Elvis would go on to super stardom playing concerts in the largest venues around the world. JAN 16: Today in 1957, The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool, England. The club would become world famous due to their association wit...
The MTV Era And The Birth of Music Videos
When MTV launched on August 1, 1981, it did more than introduce music videos to cable television—it permanently transformed how artists were marketed, perceived, and collected. The MTV era marked the moment when sound and image fused into a single commercial force. For memorabilia collectors, it represents the birth of modern music branding: a time when visuals, fashion, logos, and video iconography became as valuable as vinyl records. MTV launched its MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, with t...
Collecting Picture Discs: Shapes, Colors, and Rarity
In a world where music is often reduced to digital files and streaming playlists, there’s something delightfully tactile, nostalgic, and visually captivating about collecting picture discs. These unique records—pressed with colorful images, artist/band photos, logos, or conceptual artwork—represent more than just sound. They’re miniature canvases, time capsules, and love letters to music fans who value both the aesthetic and the emotional connection to the music they adore. Collecting picture...
A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store Standees
Before streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
11 Of The Most Valuable Records Ever Sold (And the Stories Behind Them)
Vinyl records aren’t just for audiophiles anymore—they’re serious business for collectors, investors, and music historians. Some records, because of their extreme rarity, cultural significance, or unique backstories, have fetched jaw-dropping prices at auctions and private sales. Here are eleven of the most valuable records ever sold, each with a fascinating story to match its price tag (these are in no particular order): The Beatles The Beatles (The White Album) No. 0000001 💰 Sold for: $790,...
This Week In Music History Jul 15-28
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JUL 19: Happy birthday to Brian May, born today in 1947, in Hampton, London! The iconic English musician, songwriter, and astrophysicist is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band Queen, he played a crucial role in creating some of the band's most memorable hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," &#...
Those We Lost In 2023
Some great musical talents left us in 2023 and it's worth taking a minute to remember them and the musical gifts they left us with. Many are missing here for sure and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list but here are many of the most notable deaths from last year in chronological order (name, known for, age, date of death, location if known, cause of death if known): Fred White, Earth, Wind & Fire 67, January 1, 2023 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Undisclosed causes Sebastian Mar...
This Week In Music History Jan 3-16
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JAN 6: Today in 1956, Elvis Presley would play his last gig in a small auditorium! He played at the Randolph High School gymnasium in Mississippi. Elvis would go on to super stardom playing concerts in the largest venues around the world. JAN 16: Today in 1957, The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool, England. The club would become world famous due to their association wit...
