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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
Just before CDs started to muscle their way in.
Yea they were still basically a novelty. those early 80s CD players were very expensive.
I see a Journey FRONTIERS with a hype sticker
4th & Bway. I can remember my first time walking into this place as clear as day. Loved this place.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Tower Records had beautiful art displays on their walls of current albums being sold. Wish someone had video of that.
and the store is playing King Crimson Three of A Perfect Pair album in the background!!
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!
1984?! Damn this is when metal was taking hold of the culture. Good times
thx for that, brian
I used to shop for those 12" singles - those were the days!
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 !!!!
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.
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
Everything seems more slow and relaxed
2:45 Wow! Olivia Newton John !
The year I was born the year of the Rat.🤟🏼Man I do miss Tower Records i could be there for hours! 😊
Sounds like King Crimson playing in the store, nice choice store personnel!
1984 the year i was born
I used to love going to the Tower Records store on the drag in Austin back in the day.
I used to go to the Tower record store on Broadway and Astor place.I remember Bob Marley Exodus was released on Compact Disc.
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!
There's Coda with Presence hiding just below it.
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.
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....
coda ie was only 2 years old then, man
I see Steve Perry 'Street Talk'...and I think Rush 'Grace Under Pressure'.
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
What, no Oingo Boingo?
2:43 Olivia Newton John
All the women had the Princess Diana hairstyle....
Kevin Kalicki behind the register.
Seems like just yesterday
i saw the thompson twins
i have a copy of the wall with that sticker on it
🤘🏻🎱
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.
Thriller was only 2 yrs old then
Pretty similar to UK record shops of the day and everyone was wearing "Frankie" t-shirts!!
Which location was this.
4th and Broadway NYC. Main store. The Annex and Tower Books / Video were on 4th and Lafayette.
Filming with a camcorder as big as a compact car. Hahaha
Flipping Pink Floyd again Huey Lewis and The News that’s more like it 👍
The Nice Price stickers ............