You can still find them for decent prices - I scored my near-mint Teac for $250. It’s just that the tapes themselves can rack up the $$ pretty quickly, unless you get lucky and find some in a thrift store.
We got rid of a bunch of tapes too. It was due to a move but it's just a bummer. However, I probably don't need another means of blowing endless money on music. I already spend money I don't have on records I "must" have.
I have my late father's reel to reel tape recorder and will be going through his old reels soon. I used to use one all the time as a teenager and had all my favourite music on them. I don't know if they will still be playable, but look forward to finding out. I never thought of looking for pre-recorded tapes. The only flight I went on was the 1970s once, 36 hours from Auckland to Amsterdam. I don't remember any inflight entertainment.
Ooof - 36 hours in a plane without any inflight entertainment sounds absolutely brutal! But if you decide to start looking into pre-recorded tapes, keep in mind that the 7 1/2 IPS tapes typically sound much better than the 3 3/4 IPS ones.
First, I am really sorry to hear about the passing of Otis. Even the thought of one of our many pets passing chokes me up. May your little friend Rest In Peace 🐱❤️
As to your piece, Holy Christmas! No one brings me back to parts of my life (that were footnoted by music) like you do. Listening to that airline music from yesterday was certainly a trip down the rabbit hole. I listen to lots of eclectic music these days, but to really listen to stuff I have never heard before I have to rely on Henry Rollins weekly radio show on KCRW.com. Back in the day I also probably listened to too much Dr. Demento on Sunday nights, sitting in a bean-bag chair, headphones hooked into a Sansui receiver my Marine father brought from Japan...
Oh man, as a total avgeek (and lucky enough to have made a career in aviation), this was a gift!
In flight entertainment has come a long way--especially in the last few years, of course-- but there’s something effortlessly cool about what was played on flights in the 60s & 70s.
These pieces where you mention your reel to reel player make me kick myself to the one I got rid of.
You can still find them for decent prices - I scored my near-mint Teac for $250. It’s just that the tapes themselves can rack up the $$ pretty quickly, unless you get lucky and find some in a thrift store.
We got rid of a bunch of tapes too. It was due to a move but it's just a bummer. However, I probably don't need another means of blowing endless money on music. I already spend money I don't have on records I "must" have.
Thanks, Dan! My childhood memories of flying are similar to yours - I can’t wait to dig into this playlist!
Right on - enjoy!
Great stuff Dan.
Always get a window seat!
https://apex.aero/articles/sound-tube-surprising-history-airline-headsets/
Wow - I had no idea those pre-'80s headsets were pneumatic. Very cool!
I have my late father's reel to reel tape recorder and will be going through his old reels soon. I used to use one all the time as a teenager and had all my favourite music on them. I don't know if they will still be playable, but look forward to finding out. I never thought of looking for pre-recorded tapes. The only flight I went on was the 1970s once, 36 hours from Auckland to Amsterdam. I don't remember any inflight entertainment.
Ooof - 36 hours in a plane without any inflight entertainment sounds absolutely brutal! But if you decide to start looking into pre-recorded tapes, keep in mind that the 7 1/2 IPS tapes typically sound much better than the 3 3/4 IPS ones.
I can’t wait to listen!!! Thanks
First, I am really sorry to hear about the passing of Otis. Even the thought of one of our many pets passing chokes me up. May your little friend Rest In Peace 🐱❤️
As to your piece, Holy Christmas! No one brings me back to parts of my life (that were footnoted by music) like you do. Listening to that airline music from yesterday was certainly a trip down the rabbit hole. I listen to lots of eclectic music these days, but to really listen to stuff I have never heard before I have to rely on Henry Rollins weekly radio show on KCRW.com. Back in the day I also probably listened to too much Dr. Demento on Sunday nights, sitting in a bean-bag chair, headphones hooked into a Sansui receiver my Marine father brought from Japan...
Thank you for bringing back the good memories. 👏🏻
Thank you, Brian!
Oh man, as a total avgeek (and lucky enough to have made a career in aviation), this was a gift!
In flight entertainment has come a long way--especially in the last few years, of course-- but there’s something effortlessly cool about what was played on flights in the 60s & 70s.
Very groovy, Dan!