Aug17Written by:eoghan
Friday, August 17, 2007
Twenty-five years ago, on August 17 1982, the first ever CDs rolled off an assembly line in Hannover Germany. And the music that was on those first CDs? Some future-focused music of the day? Maybe New Order's 'Temptation'? Or Simple Minds 'Glittering Prize'? Or even the Stranglers 'Golden Brown'? No, the first music on the first CD was Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony.
The first CD player hit the shelves a few months later on 1 October 1982. A Sony player, it was initially available only in - where else but - Japan. And the first CD to be supplied for mass consumption? Billy Joel's '52nd Street'. Obvious choice, really.
Anyway, will the CD be still on the high street for its 30th birthday? I have my doubts.
Tags:4 comment(s) so far...
Re: The CD - 25 years old today I disagree with your gloomy prognosis for the future of the CD - there are plenty of us who like going to a shop and buying our music as a physical product. Me, I don't own an MP3 or even a computer (OK, I'm an exception) so I'll still be comsuming my music by CD and radio. I don't even order CDs by mail because finding the CD in the shop (and traipsing all over the city to find the shop) is part of the thrill of music. And even vinyl is making a comeback!
By aidan on
Friday, August 17, 2007 |
Re: The CD - 25 years old today Aidan - I too am one of 'you' (minus the not owning a computer bit). I continue to buy my music on CD (and then rip it to MP3 to listen when on the move) and the sleevenotes / physical package are things I value and add to the sense of ownership / appreciating the music, etc. But, even so, I have my strong doubts about CDs being easily available on the high street (repeat: high street) in 5 years time. I am 100% positive CD's will be all over the place in 5 years but in more specialist (i.e. non-high street) shops (whatever are left of them in 2012).
By eoghan on
Friday, August 17, 2007 |
Re: The CD - 25 years old today The only thing stopping the demise of the CD is crap online stores like iTunes with it's propietary outlook and DRM. Once you can buy mainstream music online as easily and cheaply as you can buy independant stuff on eMusic or similar, then it is game over for the CD. I say this as someone who up until about a year and a half ago would have swore blind that CDs were not on their way out. I actually reckon the opposite to you Eoghan. The last refuge of the CD will be the high street and the supermarket, where less tech and culture savvy consumers buy music, in the same way that garages and souveneir shops were the last refuge of the pre-recorded cassette. Independent record shops thrive on independent lablels, but independent labels have been at the cutting edge of the digital era and embraced it fully, knocking out the middle man between the label and the fan in the process. Apparently a large number of established independent record stores have closed down in London this year. Vinyl will probably outlive CDs in the remaining idependent stores.
By Binokular on
Friday, August 17, 2007 |
Re: The CD - 25 years old today what
By horse on
Thursday, December 20, 2007 |