Labels Rigged the Market to Kill Vinyl in 1984 Because CDs Weren’t Better, Says Industry Insider: The CD boom wasn’t driven by sound quality but by label policies that left retailers cornered. When CDs took over in the mid-80s, it looked like a win for new technology. What most people didn’t know was that labels had changed the rules behind the scenes, making it expensive for retailers to keep vinyl in stock and easy to move CDs instead. At least that’s what Acoustic Sounds founder Chad Kassem revealed in a recent interview. And, it still affects how records are sold today. In 1984, major labels changed the terms of sale in a way that made vinyl a bad bet for retailers. As Chad Kassem recounts, LPs became non-returnable and $1 more expensive, while CDs dropped by $1 and remained fully returnable. “It didn’t happen because of the superiority of the CD,” he explained in a recent interview. “The music companies told the record stores: ‘If you buy the vinyl, it’s on a one-way sale. The vinyl costs one more dollar than it used to. And when you buy it, you’re stuck with it.’”
St. Louis, MO | Maplewood record store Planet Score blows out the candles on a decade in business: The shop will host a birthday party featuring live music and a storewide sale on October 25. Planet Score (7421 Manchester), one of St. Louis’ most heralded record stores, is hosting a birthday party to celebrate their 10th trip around the sun. The October 25 soiree won’t have any balloon animals or face painting, but it does promise plenty of music. Named after a Guided by Voices song, the store is a fixture in Maplewood, but its roots expand beyond the neighborhood. …Planet Score co-owner Joe Stulce started out working at the original Hazelwood location of Record Reunion—a used record store that had been around since the early ‘80s and rebranded as CD Reunion in the ‘90s. “I always wanted to work there, but they were never hiring,” Stulce says. “Then one day I asked again if they were looking for help, expecting the usual answer, and instead the owner, Dan Kiser asked, ‘Can you start tomorrow?’ It started out as part-time and turned into a full-time job.”
Halesowen, UK | Revolution Records opening in Cornbow Centre, Halesowen: A record shop is set to open in Halesowen next month marking “a new start for the music scene” in the town. Independent retailer Revolution Records will open its store in the Cornbow Shopping Centre on Saturday November 8. It is relocating from its Walsall store to Halesowen. Three staff will move from the Walsall store to the new Halesowen store, with one volunteer who helps on event days like ‘Record Store Day’ and ‘Black Friday’ when the shop gets busier Jasdeep Pala, of Revolution Records said: “Opening this store in The Cornbow is a new start for us, and hopefully a new start for the music scene in Halesowen. “While looking for new locations to expand our reach to a wider audience, we noticed there was no current record store or the like in Halesowen. “To us, the pieces just fit, and our hope is that the community in the area feel the same.”
Phoenix, AZ | How Maynard James Keenan’s Queen B Vinyl Cafe is amping up Cottonwood’s culture: A look at the record store and venue owned by the Tool and Puscifer singer and his wife. Maynard James Keenan and his wife Jennifer are the definition of multi-hyphenates. He’s a winemaker, writer, artist and the voice behind such legendary bands as Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. She’s a photographer, designer, entrepreneur and die-hard music lover. So it is only fitting their Queen B Vinyl Cafe in Cottonwood buzzes with the same restless energy. The 2,800-square-foot space functions as a record shop, wine bar, coffeehouse, eatery and merch hub for Maynard’s projects. You’ll also find a seamstress and a barbershop called “Barbifer” that occasionally doubles as a tattoo parlor. Jennifer Keenan calls Queen B, which opened in 2024, an “immersive experience” that hits multiple senses.
Carlow, IE | Vinyl music store re-opens in Carlow: A new Golden Discs store at Fairgreen Shopping Centre was officially opened on Saturday morning, 18 October, with giveaways, vouchers and events for those who called in. Carlow residents have been without a vinyl record shop since 2009, when the previous Golden Discs in Carlow Shopping Centre and Rainbow Records of Tullow Street closed for business. Store manager Katie Lanagan said her team of six staff is looking forward to meeting locals. She said: “We have had a lot of interest over the last couple of years since we left Carlow. The store is a place where people can come in and physically buy their favorite album, their golden oldies, and all the other stuff that we have as well, like merchandise and technology.” Stephen Fitzgerald, CEO of Golden Discs, told KCLR last week: “Fairgreen is the perfect home for Golden Discs, and we can’t wait to welcome back familiar faces and meet a whole new generation of music lovers.”
MN | Down in the Valley changes owners: Down in the Valley enters a new era of ownership, as two of the iconic record store’s loyal staff take over from the family that started it in 1972. In September, Scott Farrell, general manager; and Steven Williams, music buyer and assistant general manager purchased the two locations (Golden Valley flagship and Maple Grove) from Brandon and Taryn Hyland, the adult children of late founder, Steve Hyland. Taryn Hyland said, “It’s bittersweet to hand over Down in the Valley to Scott and Steven. Scott’s been running the stores since I was a little kid. He’s the one who’s been holding it down over all these years. Steven is the best record buyer out there. I’m so glad that they are keeping my dad’s dream alive. Now I can go and pursue my own dreams.” According to a press release, the new owners aim to honor Down in the Valley’s legacy while bringing fresh energy and renewed passion to both customers and their approximately 25 employees.
Fargo, ND | Fargo Record Fair happening Saturday: A fan favorite event is making its return to the Fargo area on October 25th. The Fargo Record Fair is a family friendly event that will feature 50 tables with various records, CDs, cassettes, and all kinds of music-related treasures. “There are so many different reasons to buy and collect vinyl records and just be a music fan, it’s all fun,” said Dean Sime, Founder of the Fargo record Fair. The event will run from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Brewhalla. Admission is $5.
Baltimore, MD | VinylCon! record fair coming to Baltimore this weekend: Vinyl records have seen a resurgence over the past several years as many fans opt for physical media over digital. Baltimore is no stranger to the trend, with vinyl records stores dotting the city. Now, for the first time, VinylCon! will make its Baltimore debut on Oct. 25 and 26 at UNION Craft Brewing, located at 1700 W. 41st St. #420 in Baltimore’s Medfield neighborhood. The general public can attend from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 25, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. But eager vinyl enthusiasts who want to get a head start can purchase a VIP ticket to gain entry at 10 a.m. Saturday. …With recent events in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Denver, VinylCon expects its Baltimore event to be Maryland’s largest record fair this year. Kobi Waldforgel founded VinylCon! after seeing a void for events showcasing vinyl culture.
Milford, CT | Intergalactic Beets Records – Interactive Pop-Up Art + Music Exhibition: The Future Is Now! The Intergalactic Beets Project is coming to Milford, CT! Join us at the MAC Firehouse Gallery at 81 Naugatuck Ave for our latest pop-up art and music exhibition, Intergalactic Beets Records: a fictional record store with authentic music from distant galaxies.Join us from November 14th to November 16th from 10 AM to 6 PM to tour the exhibition and meet the artist, Joey Rodriguez, behind the project. Welcome to the world of the Intergalactic Beets Project, a fictional intergalactic record label preserving the Universe’s tastiest music on vinyl from the evil clutches of a rhythm-hating overlord. Started in 2021, our Collection now spans nearly 300 songs from over 175 unique, alien artists, in dozens of genres, including electronic, hip-hop, rock, pop, blues, and more.
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