Taking it for granted, records were still quite pricey for us ordinary souls. I could only afford a new one every few months, had mostly cassettes though and mainly stuck to singles. It could be overwhelming walking around the various floors and viewing a world of wonder. It also took a good length to build up a full collection of one artist, but by that time you managed to learn every lyric and beat by heart. Happy days indeed.
From 3:04 to 3:17, you see a few seconds of The Weirz' "Imagination" video, which came out in '83. It got some airplay on WTBS Night Tracks, but not on MTV. I'm seeing "Talk Show" from Go-Go's and "Declaration" from The Alarm in the New Releases section, so this is definitely '84. Great times! Thanx for posting this!
I was a 6 year old boy that year and it was interesting how they did receipts for the record albums. Today they scan them and the receipt came out after you pay for them. Vinyl records made a huge comeback in recent years and I bought several vinyl records at Wal-Mart.
There would be a copy for you as the purchaser and and another for the store; also if the power went out - people still were able to do paper receipts by hand.
My first recording i ever bought was The Fixx -"One Thing Leads To Another" 7" single in 1983. My first 12" album was Motley Crue -"Shout At The Devil" also in 83.
1984, age 12. I didn't discover Tower Records until 1990. It was in Cherry Hill NJ and they used to create custom cassettes (pick songs from a list in the order you want. You can even name the cassette and they'll create a case cover) Tower was my musical haven in the 1990s, but in 1984, it was Sam Goody and Musicland. BTW, I also spot Oliva Newton John!
My first time in TOWER records in Greenwich Village was Fall 1983 and was a regular customer until they closed. I was heartbroken when Tower went out of business even though vinyl was mostly phased out. I also went to Tower records at Bway and 66th street. I shopped at Tower almost every weekend. I bought Thompson Twins 'INTO THE GAP' and GO GO'S 'TALK SHOW' March 1984.
A big chunk of money for one album, most of which had a lot of filler. I spent a lot of money gambling and losing on albums like that, because the song on the radio was good or later, the video on MTV. All I got to say now is, thank you Spotify.
Tapes were in the basement. IIRC, singles were on the Mezzanine, and most everything else was on the top floor. This video was shot on the main floor near the front.
1984 was when metal was about to really hit its stride .. yeah I get mixed feelings watching vids like this as I bet some of these people aren’t with us any longer
It's got me thinking...would Tower Records even have carried them at this time? Metallica were still fairly underground/indie before the release of Kill 'Em All; from what I read, only the metal record shops would've been anywhere close to familiar with them
Just before CDs started to muscle their way in.
Yea they were still basically a novelty. those early 80s CD players were very expensive.
Taking it for granted, records were still quite pricey for us ordinary souls. I could only afford a new one every few months, had mostly cassettes though and mainly stuck to singles. It could be overwhelming walking around the various floors and viewing a world of wonder. It also took a good length to build up a full collection of one artist, but by that time you managed to learn every lyric and beat by heart. Happy days indeed.
4th & Bway. I can remember my first time walking into this place as clear as day. Loved this place.
I see a Journey FRONTIERS with a hype sticker
From 3:04 to 3:17, you see a few seconds of The Weirz' "Imagination" video, which came out in '83. It got some airplay on WTBS Night Tracks, but not on MTV. I'm seeing "Talk Show" from Go-Go's and "Declaration" from The Alarm in the New Releases section, so this is definitely '84. Great times! Thanx for posting this!
Some other new releases I spotted along the way were Steve Perry as well as the Thompson Twins :)
Other new releases in that section... REM Reckoning, Rush Grace Under Pressure, and Scorpions Love at First Sting.
I was a 6 year old boy that year and it was interesting how they did receipts for the record albums. Today they scan them and the receipt came out after you pay for them. Vinyl records made a huge comeback in recent years and I bought several vinyl records at Wal-Mart.
There would be a copy for you as the purchaser and and another for the store; also if the power went out - people still were able to do paper receipts by hand.
also today, we don't buy records anymore
I used to shop for those 12" singles - those were the days!
My first recording i ever bought was The Fixx -"One Thing Leads To Another" 7" single in 1983. My first 12" album was Motley Crue -"Shout At The Devil" also in 83.
The year I was born the year of the Rat.🤟🏼Man I do miss Tower Records i could be there for hours! 😊
Everything seems more slow and relaxed
Was that Olivia Newton John towards the end looking at Adam And the Ants LP's? Lol! What a super place. I miss the 80's !!!!
Dang I miss those days,just the smell of fresh vinyl
pervert
And a lot of these record were reprints already. was in there all the time then to think I was only 19 then and now Im 58
1984, age 12. I didn't discover Tower Records until 1990. It was in Cherry Hill NJ and they used to create custom cassettes (pick songs from a list in the order you want. You can even name the cassette and they'll create a case cover) Tower was my musical haven in the 1990s, but in 1984, it was Sam Goody and Musicland. BTW, I also spot Oliva Newton John!
Tower Records had beautiful art displays on their walls of current albums being sold. Wish someone had video of that.
My first time in TOWER records in Greenwich Village was Fall 1983 and was a regular customer until they closed. I was heartbroken when Tower went out of business even though vinyl was mostly phased out. I also went to Tower records at Bway and 66th street. I shopped at Tower almost every weekend. I bought Thompson Twins 'INTO THE GAP' and GO GO'S 'TALK SHOW' March 1984.
1984?! Damn this is when metal was taking hold of the culture. Good times
thx for that, brian
anyone know what the topmost album is that the man has under his arm at 1:36? "Paul H" i can make out but the rest i can't.
I noticed that and thought it might be Paul Hardcastle, but I don’t see any album covers online by him that match what the guy is holding. Hmm…
Man, I just spent 20 minutes trying to solve this mystery and nothing. Just nothing....
and the store is playing King Crimson Three of A Perfect Pair album in the background!!
hey dudes buy 2 of everything and never open it! you'll thank me many years later!
No one really cares about sealed reissues of mass produced records
I bought 2 gallons of milk 30 yrs ago. Never opened 1. You think i may be rich now?
@@anythingbutwokeprobably
Sounds like King Crimson playing in the store, nice choice store personnel!
Seems like just yesterday
I used to love going to the Tower Records store on the drag in Austin back in the day.
2:45 Wow! Olivia Newton John !
I used to go to the Tower record store on Broadway and Astor place.I remember Bob Marley Exodus was released on Compact Disc.
1984 the year i was born
Tower Records at 4th and Broadway in NYC!
My first paid gig in NYC, when I was interning at MTV in 1994. If only I could go back to working the rock floor there!
A big chunk of money for one album, most of which had a lot of filler. I spent a lot of money gambling and losing on albums like that, because the song on the radio was good or later, the video on MTV. All I got to say now is, thank you Spotify.
What, no Oingo Boingo?
I see Steve Perry 'Street Talk'...and I think Rush 'Grace Under Pressure'.
There's Coda with Presence hiding just below it.
2:43 Olivia Newton John
I didn't see any cassette tapes?
Tapes were in the basement. IIRC, singles were on the Mezzanine, and most everything else was on the top floor. This video was shot on the main floor near the front.
coda ie was only 2 years old then, man
Metallica's Kill'em all and Ride lightning gotta be in there somewhere! That girl working the register is probably in her 60's by now.
1984 was when metal was about to really hit its stride .. yeah I get mixed feelings watching vids like this as I bet some of these people aren’t with us any longer
boo hoo@@brianmeen2158
It's got me thinking...would Tower Records even have carried them at this time? Metallica were still fairly underground/indie before the release of Kill 'Em All; from what I read, only the metal record shops would've been anywhere close to familiar with them
Which location was this.
4th and Broadway NYC. Main store. The Annex and Tower Books / Video were on 4th and Lafayette.
i saw the thompson twins
🤘🏻🎱
Kevin Kalicki behind the register.
i have a copy of the wall with that sticker on it
All the women had the Princess Diana hairstyle....
Pretty similar to UK record shops of the day and everyone was wearing "Frankie" t-shirts!!
Thriller was only 2 yrs old then
Flipping Pink Floyd again Huey Lewis and The News that’s more like it 👍
Filming with a camcorder as big as a compact car. Hahaha
The Nice Price stickers ............