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What was the earliest record you recall your parents playing?

OR, If you remember them having a clear favorite song before you had a record of it (or record player for that matter), what was it?

My parents bought our first record player (not even a stereo) in order to play Allan Sherman's smash comedy LP "My Son the Folksinger"

Once he got a real stereo, I remember my father buying the Pete Seeger live We Shall Overcome LP.

PS. If Scott or Ron think this belongs in Other Music instead, that's fine with me. I see it more as general interest, but whatever.

Sinatra/Jobim or George Shearing Plays/Nat King Cole Sings. Still two of my faves.

As a family? Bob Newhart, then Bill Cosby.

But my father owned a couple of bars in downtown San Diego, so he had thousands of 45s which he'd test with my brother and me--seems as if the opinions of 6 and 10 year olds mirror those of drunken sailors on leave. So I heard everything from Marty Robbins to Ray Stevens to the Beatles and more, usually a week before anyone else heard them.

The Moldau
The Karelia Suite
All My Loving
Theme From The Magnificent Seven


I have my Dad's old 45's and am amazed by the variety (cornball to funky) and the emotions that arise when listening to some.


I still have Bob Newhart's Button Down Mind. The Cosby's have vanished.

Jazz wasn't something that was even on the radar in our house, the earliest record I remember hearing was this:

Almost certainly Turk Murphy or Lu Watters. (Thanks, Dad.)

"i'm an Old Cowhand," Bing Crosby

moldyfigg wrote:"i'm an Old Cowhand," Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was a cowhand?

My folks almost never played music in the house; we were always a TV family. But we used to have a junk closet, walk-in size, and when I was a kid I would forage for treasures in there. One day I came upon a stack of LPs: Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Cosby, Jim Nabors, and Frank Sinatra among them. I made them my own and still own most of them.

My parents were a huge factor in my love for music. I could list many, many records from so many different genres. I would also factor in my 10 yr older step-brother that literally had hundreds of 45's featuring early R 'n' R, R&B, and doo-wop. One of the earliest LP's that my Moms & Pops literally played to death, definitely on that soundtrack of my life, would be Eydie Gorme & The Trio Los Panchos! I own their copy (so beat up I'd never put it on my turntable but it's as treasured as an old family photo!), and a CD of the recording. I've owned it for yrs but only played it a coupla times and yet....as I'm typing I'm hearing it in my mind!

BeBop wrote:

moldyfigg wrote:"i'm an Old Cowhand," Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was a cowhand?

Artistic licence

and:

moldyfigg wrote:Artistic licence

Now Sonny Rollins. HE is a cowhand.

BeBop wrote:

moldyfigg wrote:Artistic licence

Now Sonny Rollins. HE is a cowhand.

No disagreement here but I learned the lyrics (Mercer) from the Crosby when I was four years old.

BeBop wrote:

moldyfigg wrote:"i'm an Old Cowhand," Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was a cowhand?

The lyrics are about the guy NOT being a real cowboy. So der Bingle was not out of his element at all.

steve(thelil) wrote:

BeBop wrote:Bing Crosby was a cowhand?

The lyrics are about the guy NOT being a real cowboy. So der Bingle was not out of his element at all.

Actually, it's one of the few songs where I actually know the lyrics -mainly because they're "clever". Really hadn't been thinking of them when I made the Bing comment. He's a fine guy to sing them. Like I would be...if I could sing.

I grew up with my mother and grandparents. None of them were big music fans, but my mother did have a thing for Elvis. This was the one record I remember hearing -

People today are now aware of how HUGE a star was Bing Croby. He sold millions of records, had one of the most popular radio shows, appeared in many movies. even won an Academy Award, and was far. far bigger a star than Elvis or wierdo Jackson. He was an avid golfer and screwed every lady in Hollywood.

My mother was Syrian and had a few 78s. This is the only song I can remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vweekRJxpU

My memory is hazy, but I recall my dad had Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits and something by Jim Croce. On 8-track. He had a lot of other stuff - mostly but definitely not exclusively Mexican music - but those two I remember clearly.

moldyfigg wrote:People today are now aware of how HUGE a star was Bing Croby. He sold millions of records, had one of the most popular radio shows, appeared in many movies. even won an Academy Award, and was far. far bigger a star than Elvis or wierdo Jackson. He was an avid golfer and screwed every lady in Hollywood.

I think Clint meant people today are NOT aware of how big Bing was. On top of his popularity, he was probably the most influential singer of the pre-rock era (with respect to his influence on other singers like Sinatra, Martin, Torme, Eckstein, etc., etc)

I know enough to know that were it not for Bing Crosby, pop singers would sound like Al Jolson. We are in his debt.

Hitler declared war against "Der Bingle."