[78-L] The 5 most influential 78s ever

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel at mbiel.com>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [78-L] The 5 most influential 78s ever
> From: "Erwin Kluwer" <ekluwer at gmail.com>
>> meaning on the development of music during the last century:

> I disagree with this list in many ways if we are to take the above
> statement to mean that these records had an influence on the development
> of music that would not have happened without it, or that these were not
> merely results of what was already happening in music.
>
Okeh...here is MY list of 78's (+/-!)
Note that I use "influential" in more senses than musically speaking...?!

1) Emile Berliner's first issued disc record (whatever it was...?!)

Why? This was the first time that the public had EVER seen a phonograph
record on a flat disc (which would later become standard! It also introduced
several things which later became standard: lateral-cut, outside-in, and the
size of the centre spindle, among others...!

2) The first Victor "Dance Record" to be issued and promoted as such

Why? It opened the eyes of music fans...especially YOUNGER such...to
the idea that folks could have an enjoyable evening needing only a stack of
78's and a machine to play them...! This would eventually lead to "record
hops," and then discotheques, and to-day's "Urban Dance" (music/clubs!)...
simply because some brilliant Victor PR guy figured out (or noticed?) that
a machine could replace a few musicians...?!

3) The ODJB disc already cited

Why? This disc introduced the sounds of "jas/ss/z/zz" to a public ready to
hear it...MUCH faster than one, or a few, bands playing the stuff ever could
have done...!

4) The first BG issue (or other "swing" band[s]?!)

Why? This record, and the ones that followed it, brought a whole new sort
of "dance music" to a whole new (and younger) audience! Within a year or so,
teen-age music fans were buying their favourite "swing" hit discs in 
quantity;
this would in turn change the record industry, as its customers desired not
only "new hit tunes," but specific performances thereof!

5) "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & his Comets

Why? This record...already about a year old when it was featured in
the movie, "Blackboard Jungle" (and quickly reached "hit record" status!),
was NOT the "first rock'n'roll record/tune"...but WAS the "first HIT
rock'n'roll RECORD" to be widely accepted...and, more importantly,
BOUGHT...by whole bunches of teen-age "rock'n'roll" fans!

Runner Up: "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis

Why? This was the first Elvis tune to have the power of RCA Victor
behind its promotion! Unlike his earlier Sun records (even as later
released on RCA Victor...?!), this disc was made available...for
purchase AND air-play...by the largest record manufacturer and
its marketing experts! There was no looking back...!

...stevenc