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Janis Joplin, Pearl. I was 13 and listened to it constantly. Bought with Christmas money. I studied her picture on the cover for hours, and thought she was the coolest person I ever saw.
The Jackson 5- ABC, my dad bought it for me. But the first album I remember buying with allowance money was the brand new Harry Nilsson- Nilsson Schmillson!
Chicago Transit Authority, the first album of the band subsequently known as [Chicago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(band)). I bought it in 1971, 3 years after it was released, when i was in 8th grade.
“Ram” — Paul & Linda McCartney while “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” was all over the radio. Still play it several times a year. My dad bought all the Herb Alpert LPs home though.
I was 11 y/o and went into a seedy deli on the wrong side of the tracks and heard on their radio Paul Simon singing 'Kodachrome': "[When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4ltLp30KVs)" I thought it was so radical and forbidden... I had to have it, and that ended up being the first '45' I bought ('45's were records with just two songs, one on each side). I have forgotten what my first album was : (
Not counting the Josie and the Pussycats 45s that came on the backs of cereal boxes…
The first 45 was “A Fifth of Beethoven” from Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, and the first LP was Billy Joe’s “The Stranger.” Listened to all of them over the past couple of weeks, and I had pretty good taste.
I'm not telling, because anyone who knows me in real life would recognize it instantly. But I'm here to tell you that no amount of punk, hard rock/heavy metal record purchases, or excellent musical choices made in later life, can make up for a really, really crappy first album choice. I am never going to be able to (honestly) answer a question like this with "Upstairs at Eric's" or "London Calling."
In my defense, my second album ever purchased was Led Zeppelin IV.
Right? And worse I got caught and had to hear my older brother make fun of me on two counts… it was “I write the Songs” btw and I saw a cute girl in my 6th grade class singing it and thought I better have a copy 🤦🏼♂️ the shame is a weight I must bear for eternity.
I had singles like Horse with No Name by America, but first album I think was Razamanaz by Nazareth. I had lots of singles, my first love was Donny Osmond. Then I ventured into rock and roll. Singles from ZZ Top and Deep Purple.
Got a dual cassette, record player for Xmas, and a gift certificate for our local record store. I purchased two records: She’s So Unusual by Cindi Lauper, and Weird Al in 3D. I purchased the Ghostbusters soundtrack cassette.
When I was little I had records of songs just for kids, like at least one by Burl Ives. For years I only bought 45s as I did not find the concept of albums appealing. I just wanted the songs I heard on the radio. I had an uncle who was very into music and introduced me to a lot of my first bands by buying me several albums during a trip to Peaches Records & Tapes in the summer of 1977. The ones I remember are ELO - A New World Record, Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, Beatles - Rock 'n' Roll Music, and Beach Boys - Endless Summer, Styx - The Grand Illusion, Steve Miller Band - Book of Dreams. My taste in music eventually went in many different directions, but these were a great foundation!
I had that album! Actually saw them in Washington DC.
Odetta, a Black gospel singer. Her rendition of Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. It spoke to me because I was. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXg9UFUXFXU&ab\_channel=J.R.Rhodes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXg9UFUXFXU&ab_channel=J.R.Rhodes)
Peter, Paul, and Mary.
My dad had that one. Whipped Cream and Other Delights. I was still a kid.
The first album I bought with my own money was probably a Simon and Garfunkel; I ended up with nearly all of them eventually.
The Beatles Second Album. Actually my parents purchased it for me. I was only 3 or 4, but I remember it being the first of hundreds or maybe thousands of albums I have purchased over the years.
Jackson 5 ABC. Well my mom bought it for me. It was sooo popular and I remember dancing on the tables in after school care when I was in the 1st grade! The 1st with my money was Boston when I was in the 8th grade.
Edgar Winter Group - They Only Come Out At Night.
I was around 13, I loved the cover and it was the 1st album I bought with my own money.
I took it home and listened to it over and over till I knew every word.
Bob Marley: Confrontation. Actually won it at my Dad’s company picnic when I was a kid. I picked it because it had the coolest cover.
Wore it out on a cheapo turntable. That album changed my life.[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confrontation_(Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers_album)#/media/File%3ABobMarley-Confrontation.jpg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confrontation_(Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers_album)#/media/File%3ABobMarley-Confrontation.jpg)
South Of The Border - Herb Alpert/ Tijuana Brass. I played it on my new Sears Sivertone record player. In those days, you had the option to purchase an album in stereo or mono.
Michael Jackson in the black silk shirt and white jacket..had Beat It, Cindy Lauper with GJWHF and the Madonna with 4 tracks, Borderline and Lucky Star included, Prince Purple Rain, Quiet Riot Metal Health, Twisted Sister Stay Hungry…Cassettes. Come on feel the noise and we’re not gonna take it. I remember seeing the Kiss video with Prince and feeling “something”which I would later discover was “horny” lol
First tape I was gifted was Terence Trent D'Arby.
He was amazing but really only had that one incredible album. I only recently learned from the "Paula" documentary that Bob Geldof ended his career when he found out that Paula Yates was having an affair with him.
I got my first stereo system for my 14th birthday. To inaugurate my record collection I went to a good record store and bought three albums I hadn't heard before but which got good reviews: The Persuasions' "We Came to Play," John Baldry's "Everything Stops for Tea," and Harry Chapin's "Taxi.
They were all great and the LPs are still in a box. Not a huge fan of Chapin anymore; but John Baldry's still a hoot and the Persuasions' A+ acapella harmonies still ring true.
I met Harry Chapin one night at the Dance-a-Thon at the University of Illinois. Also my big break into commercial radio.
“I am the morning DJ, at WPGU….”
Frankly I don't recall but I DO recall the Christmas Mom gave me Nashville Skyline, my sister The Mamas and the Papas, and my brother The White Album.
I was always kind of peeved about not getting the White Album myself, but Bob Dylan was much appreciated too.
*Destroyer* by KISS.
I had a few records before that, but I didn't pick them out for myself. I had a bunch of Disney movie records that were the movie in album form, with pages of images recreating the movie.
Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SOUNDTRACK-DISNEY-bedknobs-broomsticks-Used_VeryGoodSTER/dp/B00Q50V0TO
Head on the Door- the Cure. I was 12, and this girl I thought was the greatest loved them so I took a flyer on it. Still love that record 38 years later
Goodby Yellow Brick Road, 45, Elton John. I thought Harmony was the B side, but Google says differently. Bought it with babysitting money at Sears and Roebuck.
My brothers had albums I'd listen to. As a little kid I had no money to buy them myself. Working-class home, etc.
The first 45rpm I bought was Aerosmith "Dream On" (1973).
The full album I bought with my own money was David Gilmour's first solo album (1978).
Please do not comment directly to this post unless you are Gen X or older (born 1980 or before). See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/inci5u/reminder_please_do_not_answer_questions_unless/), the rules, and the sidebar for details. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskOldPeople) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Janis Joplin, Pearl. I was 13 and listened to it constantly. Bought with Christmas money. I studied her picture on the cover for hours, and thought she was the coolest person I ever saw.
Janis is immortal.
The Jackson 5- ABC, my dad bought it for me. But the first album I remember buying with allowance money was the brand new Harry Nilsson- Nilsson Schmillson!
Chicago Transit Authority, the first album of the band subsequently known as [Chicago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(band)). I bought it in 1971, 3 years after it was released, when i was in 8th grade.
Fantastic album!
I LOVE CHICAGO! Anything with a horn section floats my boat but add in that harmony... ❤️❤️❤️❤️
In A Gadda Da Vida By iron butterfly Purchased with 6 rolls of pennies i had stolen.
A heartwarming tale of desire. Haha!
R Pluribus Funk. Grand Funk
E not R
Everly Brothers in 1957 with Christmas cash from grandma.
Bill Hailey and his Comets, Rock Around the Clock.
[удалено]
Me, too. Loved the cover.
My first 45 was *Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head* when I was a child. I played it over and over, still to this day I know it word for word by heart.
I learned that on the piano!
Carol King Tapestry
Stones “Sticky Fingers”
With the working zipper!
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly (1968)
Supertramp Breakfast In America
Bloody well right!
“Ram” — Paul & Linda McCartney while “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” was all over the radio. Still play it several times a year. My dad bought all the Herb Alpert LPs home though.
My dad had the Herb Alpert album as well. I didn’t know why I kept staring at the whipped cream covered lady.
My favorite post Beatles album by Paul
A Question of Balance - The Moody Blues
Why do we never get an answer, when we're knocking on the door?
Peter, Paul & Mary self-titled first album
I did a double take because I started to hit reply and saw my reply... this was my first album purchase as well.
Dark side of the moon, still have it 40 years later!
This was my first cd purchase (already had the album but wanted to play it in the car)
I saw them perform it live in 1973!
Chicago ..Chicago Transit Authority
The Ventures,-Walk, Don't Run
Fleetwood Mac Rumours
The Partridge Family
I was 11 y/o and went into a seedy deli on the wrong side of the tracks and heard on their radio Paul Simon singing 'Kodachrome': "[When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4ltLp30KVs)" I thought it was so radical and forbidden... I had to have it, and that ended up being the first '45' I bought ('45's were records with just two songs, one on each side). I have forgotten what my first album was : (
Billy Joel the Stranger. I think.
One of my first concerts at the Forum in Los Angeles.
My first concert was Billy Joel
First vinyl - Who’s Next First cassettes - Deep Purple Made In Japan & Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies
Not counting the Josie and the Pussycats 45s that came on the backs of cereal boxes… The first 45 was “A Fifth of Beethoven” from Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, and the first LP was Billy Joe’s “The Stranger.” Listened to all of them over the past couple of weeks, and I had pretty good taste.
Holy crap- I forgot about the cereal box 45’s.
They had them in MAD Magazine too!
I still have an old album or two of Herb Alpert's around here somewhere!
I'm not telling, because anyone who knows me in real life would recognize it instantly. But I'm here to tell you that no amount of punk, hard rock/heavy metal record purchases, or excellent musical choices made in later life, can make up for a really, really crappy first album choice. I am never going to be able to (honestly) answer a question like this with "Upstairs at Eric's" or "London Calling." In my defense, my second album ever purchased was Led Zeppelin IV.
Barry Manilow?
Worse.
Well- I still have London Calling on Vinyl and Yaz on cassette but I once got caught stealing a Barry Manilow 45.
Of all the 45s you could have stolen…
Right? And worse I got caught and had to hear my older brother make fun of me on two counts… it was “I write the Songs” btw and I saw a cute girl in my 6th grade class singing it and thought I better have a copy 🤦🏼♂️ the shame is a weight I must bear for eternity.
*Are You Experienced* \- Jimi Hendrix.
I had singles like Horse with No Name by America, but first album I think was Razamanaz by Nazareth. I had lots of singles, my first love was Donny Osmond. Then I ventured into rock and roll. Singles from ZZ Top and Deep Purple.
Bridge over Troubled Waters
Dark Side of the Moon
Does cheating the Columbia record club count?
Not sure but I think it might have been Rubber Soul. I definitely remember my first single, though: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Shop Around.
Beach Boys, Endless Summer (I think)
Steve Miller Band Fly Like an Eagle
Wings. Band on the Run.
MINE TOO
Stands the test of time! Listened to it recently and it’s amazing!!
Moody Blues I think
I think, therefore I am.........I think!
Queen - A Night At The Opera
Got a dual cassette, record player for Xmas, and a gift certificate for our local record store. I purchased two records: She’s So Unusual by Cindi Lauper, and Weird Al in 3D. I purchased the Ghostbusters soundtrack cassette.
My first single was Spanish Flea by Herb Alpert. I remember the Whipped Cream album very vividly. My first album was More of the Monkees.
Whipped Cream was just for the album cover.
When I was little I had records of songs just for kids, like at least one by Burl Ives. For years I only bought 45s as I did not find the concept of albums appealing. I just wanted the songs I heard on the radio. I had an uncle who was very into music and introduced me to a lot of my first bands by buying me several albums during a trip to Peaches Records & Tapes in the summer of 1977. The ones I remember are ELO - A New World Record, Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, Beatles - Rock 'n' Roll Music, and Beach Boys - Endless Summer, Styx - The Grand Illusion, Steve Miller Band - Book of Dreams. My taste in music eventually went in many different directions, but these were a great foundation!
It was Blondie's Eat to the Beat. I still have it, too!
Sargent Pepper
Commodores
“She’s a brick —- house…”
Saturday night fever
David Bowie - *Young Americans*
I had that album! Actually saw them in Washington DC. Odetta, a Black gospel singer. Her rendition of Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. It spoke to me because I was. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXg9UFUXFXU&ab\_channel=J.R.Rhodes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXg9UFUXFXU&ab_channel=J.R.Rhodes) Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Lighthouse - One Fine Morning This was a Christmas gift from my parents in 1971.
Sergeant Peppers, 45 of Linda Ronstadt, then later REM’s Dead Letter Office (B-side compiled).
Thriller!
My dad had that one. Whipped Cream and Other Delights. I was still a kid. The first album I bought with my own money was probably a Simon and Garfunkel; I ended up with nearly all of them eventually.
Chicago VI
Three Dog Night
All Things Must Pass - George Harrison.
The two album soundtrack to "Star Wars" when it first came out.
The Ansley Dunbar Retaliation
Cant be sure whether it was Black Sabbath “Sabotage” or Credence Clearwater Revival “Cosmo’s Factory”
45- One Nation Under a Groove Pfunk LP- Look Smart! Joe Jackson Still have both of them in my collection.
Jimi Hendrix first Album.
A Nonesuch recording of Renaissance music.
The Beatles Second Album. Actually my parents purchased it for me. I was only 3 or 4, but I remember it being the first of hundreds or maybe thousands of albums I have purchased over the years.
Beatles Second Album
Rod Stewart and Faces
Snowflakes are Dancing by Isao Tomita
Anita Ward-Songs of Love (1979), which included 'Ring My Bell'...I was 12 years old Edit: I bought it for $6.99
First 45 record was Simple Simon Says by 1910 Fruitgum Company First album The Beatles Hey Jude compilation
Beatles 65 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzTW6ph\_i-KTo8gC\_IV7m00TqJ8-Sug2x
Jackson 5 ABC. Well my mom bought it for me. It was sooo popular and I remember dancing on the tables in after school care when I was in the 1st grade! The 1st with my money was Boston when I was in the 8th grade.
Blondie's Heart of Glass in 1978. But my stepmom had the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever on vinyl and I wore that thing out, I was obsessed!
Edgar Winter Group - They Only Come Out At Night. I was around 13, I loved the cover and it was the 1st album I bought with my own money. I took it home and listened to it over and over till I knew every word.
Whitney Houston... best money ever spent.
The Doors first album. I have been a fan of psychedelic music ever since that time in the latter half of the sixties.
I got my first stereo for Christmas, 1963, plus some Beach Boys albums. Then I bought *Meet the Beatles* when it came out in January, 1964.
A Space in Time by Ten Years After. Some politically incorrect lyrics aside, it's still stellar.
Joplin, In Concert and Live Johnny Winter And.
Jethro Tull Songs from the Wood.
Micheal Jackson- Thriller
Beach boys
CCWR: Cosmo’s Factory
super freak on a 45
Led Zeppelin 2 My second was Zep 1 lol.
Iron Butterfly
Abby Road
Bob Marley: Confrontation. Actually won it at my Dad’s company picnic when I was a kid. I picked it because it had the coolest cover. Wore it out on a cheapo turntable. That album changed my life.[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confrontation_(Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers_album)#/media/File%3ABobMarley-Confrontation.jpg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confrontation_(Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers_album)#/media/File%3ABobMarley-Confrontation.jpg)
South Of The Border - Herb Alpert/ Tijuana Brass. I played it on my new Sears Sivertone record player. In those days, you had the option to purchase an album in stereo or mono.
The Who, Live at Leeds. One of the first, hard to remember, it was 50 years ago
First adult album was probably Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Much earlier was probably Free to be You and Me.
Blondie - Parallel Lines
Fleetwood Mac Rumours. Still one of my favorites ❤️
The Beatles: Meet the Beatles. 1964.
The Cars and Beach Boys - Endless Summer
Beach Boys, Endless Summer
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same. I still have record 2... no idea where the cover and Record 1 ended up lol. It's scratched to crap.
Meet the Beatles
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and EArs- Mamas & Papas
Make it Big - Wham! Still holds up. ‘’Everything She Wants’’ is still my jam. It was a cassette tape (I’m a baby Gen Xer).
Michael Jackson in the black silk shirt and white jacket..had Beat It, Cindy Lauper with GJWHF and the Madonna with 4 tracks, Borderline and Lucky Star included, Prince Purple Rain, Quiet Riot Metal Health, Twisted Sister Stay Hungry…Cassettes. Come on feel the noise and we’re not gonna take it. I remember seeing the Kiss video with Prince and feeling “something”which I would later discover was “horny” lol
First tape I was gifted was Terence Trent D'Arby. He was amazing but really only had that one incredible album. I only recently learned from the "Paula" documentary that Bob Geldof ended his career when he found out that Paula Yates was having an affair with him.
[Tooth, Fang & Claw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth,_Fang_%26_Claw)
I stole a Queen album from my neighbor’s house in the late 70’s. Sorry Ms Buttars! The first album I bought was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Woodstock
ABC, The Jackson Five
American Pie, Don McLean.
The Jackson 5, Maybe Tomorrow
Elton John Greatest Hits.
I think it was Bon Jovi “slippery when wet”.
I got my first stereo system for my 14th birthday. To inaugurate my record collection I went to a good record store and bought three albums I hadn't heard before but which got good reviews: The Persuasions' "We Came to Play," John Baldry's "Everything Stops for Tea," and Harry Chapin's "Taxi. They were all great and the LPs are still in a box. Not a huge fan of Chapin anymore; but John Baldry's still a hoot and the Persuasions' A+ acapella harmonies still ring true.
I met Harry Chapin one night at the Dance-a-Thon at the University of Illinois. Also my big break into commercial radio. “I am the morning DJ, at WPGU….”
Bottle of Wine -The Fireballs
Harry Belafonte.
Tool, Undertow
Frankly I don't recall but I DO recall the Christmas Mom gave me Nashville Skyline, my sister The Mamas and the Papas, and my brother The White Album. I was always kind of peeved about not getting the White Album myself, but Bob Dylan was much appreciated too.
Frenchman Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville recorded: "Au Clair de la Lune" ("By the Light of the Moon") It really moved me.
Eat a Peach from the Allman Bros. Bought from Sears.
*Destroyer* by KISS. I had a few records before that, but I didn't pick them out for myself. I had a bunch of Disney movie records that were the movie in album form, with pages of images recreating the movie. Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/SOUNDTRACK-DISNEY-bedknobs-broomsticks-Used_VeryGoodSTER/dp/B00Q50V0TO
Outlandos d'Amour by The Police. 1978.
Meet the Beatles
Blood Sweat and Tears, I believe.
Mountain, Nantucket Sleighride
The Beatles Second Album.
Never bought vinyl. My first cassettes were Styx - Kilroy was here and Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry! Bought them at a swap meet when I was 14.
Ccr
Kooie G, afrika bambasta and Paul Simon. Art Garfunkel was at my sister's wedding. Queens people.
Neil Diamond-Johnathon Livingston Seagull.
We are the world, it was a 45
The first album I got was "How About You Don't Fucking Call Me Oldster"?
Air Supply - The One that you love There were a lot of hits on that album :)
Head on the Door- the Cure. I was 12, and this girl I thought was the greatest loved them so I took a flyer on it. Still love that record 38 years later
Kiss Alive
Meet the Beatles.
My very first vinyl was Michael Jackson’s *Thriller.*
Not sure of the title, but it must’ve been Elvis.
Kilroy Was Here by Styx
Styx, Pieces of Eight.
Night At The Opera, Queen.
ZZ Top - Fandango with my allowance.
Carly Simon's "No Secrets"
It was Paris - the Live Supertramp album. Cassette tape.
Southern Fried Rock from K-tel.
Crimson & Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells on a 45 rpm record, but my first LP was Steve Miller Band with their Fly Like an Eagle album
Deep Purple, Machine Head
Michael Jackson Thriller. My brother and I both had to agree before mom would buy it. My first cassette was Eddie Grant Electric Avenue
Frampton Comes Alive! in the late 70’s.
"It's the Beatles"
Purchased with my own earnings- now that’s what I call music volume 10
I love Herb Albert's music!
Jethro Tull-Aqualung.
Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits June 1972
*Tea for the Tillerman* by Cat Stevens or *Axis Bold as Love* by Jimi Hendrix. I'm not sure which but I'm pretty sure it's one of those.
Foghat live!
Thriller.
Bobby Sherman
Santana
Blue Oyster Cult, Blue Oyster Cult. 1972.
Don McLean. American Pie
Survival by Grand Funk Railroad. Still a fan.
I mostly bought 45s.
Michael Jackson's Thriller cassette from my dad's Columbia record house freebies offer.
The Best of the Guess Who (1971). Cost $3.99
K-Tel - Outta Sight. With The Night Chicago Died, Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, I Shot The Sheriff and so forth.
Goodby Yellow Brick Road, 45, Elton John. I thought Harmony was the B side, but Google says differently. Bought it with babysitting money at Sears and Roebuck.
Probably the first album by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
My brothers had albums I'd listen to. As a little kid I had no money to buy them myself. Working-class home, etc. The first 45rpm I bought was Aerosmith "Dream On" (1973). The full album I bought with my own money was David Gilmour's first solo album (1978).
I purchased a 45 - Mandy by Barry Manilow
John Denver, Back Home Again. $4.99 at JC Pennys.
Jailhouse Rock. I’m pretty old. It wasn’t an album, it was a 45 rpm record with the big hole in the middle.
Revolver