I saw a quote by veteran rock 'n' roller Neil Young that the resurgence of new music released on vinyl is nothing more than a "fashion trend." I don't know about that, but I do know that the classic music that I have on vinyl records is more like a record of my life.

Here's what Young had to say.

 

“A lot of people that buy vinyl today don’t realize that they’re listening to CD masters on vinyl and that’s because the record companies have figured out that people want vinyl,” Young said during an interview with the L.A.-based radio show, the Frame (listen to the entire interview below). “And they’re only making CD masters in digital, so all the new products that come out on vinyl are actually CDs on vinyl, which is really nothing but a fashion statement.”

 

 

I have to admit that I don't buy much new music of any kind. When I do buy music online, most of it is something that I probably already own in another format. I do like digital downloads for their portability. I really like to listen to my iPod when working out at the gym, or falling asleep at night.

But back to talking about vinyl. I still keep several hundred of the vinyl albums that I purchased through the years on a shelf in my garage. I still have my 1981 Technics turntable hooked up to our home system, and thanks to Ebay, can still find parts for it. it's fun to pull out my albums at times to get together with friends for a "vinyl party."

When I go through my vinyl collection, it really is like looking at a record of my life. I can remember where I was when I bought it, and what I was doing at the time I was listening to it. The album cover art really was art. You could see it easily, it wasn't shrunk down to fit a CD jewel case. The record companies came up with some really innovative packaging gimmicks. Even the Beatles' "White Album" was real genius for its simplicity.

I can see Neil Young's point about how current music on vinyl may just be a fad. But to me, my albums have never been a fad.

They're part of who I am.

More From 94.5 KATS