bigOfeature

For me collecting is a process of exploration, not merely material accumulation. Even as my knowledge of a particular niche deepens so does it inform a broadening of my experience. To physically possess the objects of my collecting passion allows me to revisit and renew my knowledge. To test what I thought knew and what I can still learn from these artifacts. If it all disappears tomorrow is of little consequence ultimately. My collections don’t define me but offer diversion and opportunities for growth. Other opportunities constantly offer themselves. Wealth is not to be found in things but in the attitude one takes towards life.

My heart and mind resides with survivors of the multiple disasters in Japan. May they have the strength to persevere and emerge wisened from their travails. Many won’t. Let us not be slow to offer all the help we can.

By Pee 'n' Buddha on Mar 15, 2011

i think it´s time for more awareness in all the things we do. awareness in a buddhism sense.

By Peter on Mar 15, 2011

Second ‘monster’ quake could measure magnitude of 8

Fears predicted 10,000 death toll could be a massive underestimate

I was once told “never lock your dream in a closet”. In the wake of Japan’s disaster life still marches on. My prayers go out to the survivors and their families. I still listen and enjoy music and thankful for all the wonderful songs and melodies coming out of my speakers. Yes, I will still continue to collect music. Thanks Bigo for all the wonderful tunes and to the many more we will find on your website.

All the best,

By Cowgill on Mar 15, 2011

The natural disaster does not change my views on my collecting. I honestly wonder what my kids will do with my CDs etc when I am gone. We all should strive to not hoard unnecessary things, but if collecting makes you happy, do it.

By John on Mar 15, 2011

We are certainly moving towards a post-consumerist society. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to find and collect pretty much anything - which, in some ways, makes it less special.
But even if most publishing goes digital in the future, I’ll always treasure my comic books.

By psykomyko on Mar 16, 2011

I collect music. It’s a passion, opening new experiences, feelings, emotions. The real joy is finding an interesting looking CD in a junk shop, playing it and discovering something wonderful. And if it all gets lost? I really feel for all those across the world who have suffered and lost. Bust surely it’s better to have had, cherished and enjoyed, rather than to mourn what has been lost.

By AlanK on Mar 16, 2011

I do it because I love the music.My wife will get it and she will probly give it away or through it all out.

By Ron on Mar 16, 2011

Only one thing is certain in life - and that’s death. Whether this comes as a result of natural causes or natural disasters the issue is the same. Everyone amasses ‘things’ that are important to them in their living years - the only unknown is who they will be passed on to when we pass on and whether they will be appreciated by those who recieve those things. I think people will collect and continue to do so to feed their interests when they are still alive.

By Daij on Mar 16, 2011

I’ve collected music, DVDs, and books throughout my life, and although sometimes I wonder if I’ve spent too much time with them I can’t say I regret the effort. Together they have taught me much about people’s personal psychology (what books and music they like) as well as educating me about my faith and history. Both are expressions of thought, and I’ve learned how not only books (and their ideologies) respond to each other but even how musical pieces reflect their writers and performers’ lives and reflect the times they lived in. Above all I collect knowledge and these are simply ways to achieve it.

By trivialtony on Mar 16, 2011

My perspective hasn’t changed much. I think that we are fortunate that we live in a time that it is easy to archive, our music, photos, journals, etc. We can store this information on digital media or out on the net. I have many valuable photos of genrations of my family and old records and tapes that are not yet backed up in some way. A water leak detroyed a huge numer of record album covers years back and I became more protective of my records and photos from then on. However, I realize that we could all suffer a house fire or other tragedy for most of us, we would bare a substantial loss.

I feel for the Japanese citizens who have suffered and continue to suffer from this tragedy. It goes to show that it is not only our fellow man whom we must fear.

By Frank on Mar 16, 2011

The older I get and the larger my hoard - sorry, collection - to more I realise how pointless the whole exercise is.
As a rule, children view a parent’s collection, be it stamps, coins, wicker hatstands, you name it, as a waste of space they will have to get rid of when we’re gone, or as a source of income if the collection is worthwhile.
Face it, most of us collect for ourselves, not for posterity. And, as a rule, the collections of money-strapped little men are in consequence worthless. Only the fatcats can afford to collect rarities that are
a) worth saving for humanity to enjoy, and
b) worth possessing as an investments.
So what is the point in my collecting shelves and shelves of books few other people would consider exciting, no-one will see a need to preserve as a collected entity?
I recently had a think about my reading patterns: I rarely read more than a book a week, so if I live to 80 I can expect to plod through perhaps another 1000 books before I go blind, go senile or die.
So I am becoming more honest about the dull but worthy books I have accumulated “because I should read them one day”. Yes, I have started on The Brothers Karamazov, Madame Bovary, Vanity Fair and countless others more than once. And never got past page 20.
So there is no point in my hanging onto them. Some unfortunate students of literature may find a copy useful. Good luck to them.
I shall reduce my collection to about 500 books I have read and loved, and perhaps another 500 I truly want - and expect - to read.
And the same applies to all my other follies.
Stamps? Will be sold. Yards of vinyl recordings? To be sold or thrown out.
The good book tells us that From dust we came and unto dust we shall return. The collections will not be moving on with us, so I am going to unclutter my life Now, in preparation for that time.
The poor bastards who lost everything to the tsunami have been forced to face up to these facts now; you can bet that the survivors will be far less materialistic in their next decades than they were in the past.
And, God help them, that would be a great boon to our overstretched planet. As Wordsworth said, long before anyone realised there was any danger in burning coal and manufacturing crap all day long,

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

Our obsession with acquisition and possession is perfectly encapsulated in the collecting imperative, and is contributing to the destruction of this Earth that sustains us.

Sadly, it has taken a tsunami to remind many people of the fragility of life and the folly of human vanity.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to the Earth if some of the captains of industry could wake up these facts, and realise they can do much to salvage the Earth and conserve its resources by changing their philosophy and message to one of initial quality going hand in hand with modular design, repair and upgrading. For God’s sake design computer systems so that we are NOT tempted to dump the “old one” after barely three years, but simply take it in to be rejuvenated.
We are all going to die. We are all going to have no further use for our clothes, computers, cars, Stephen King paperbacks etc.
I yearn for a return to simplicity. And this world will be a far far better place if most other citizens of the developed countries were heading toward the same idea.
For a start… there’d be a lot less litter left behind when the next disaster strikes to remind us we are like chaff in nature’s wind.

By Tony on Mar 16, 2011

if we didnt collect stuff someone else would

By paul on Mar 16, 2011

My son has already earmarked my music (esepecially my vinyl), he wil do what he feels is right or best with it. That is one of the facts of life, that it goes on. Someone once said ‘there is nothing more sad nor glorious than a generation changing hands’.
The Japanese people are strong and dignified, my hopes and wishes are with them.

By sebrof on Mar 17, 2011

I was always a collector of something - baseball cards, comic books and when I turned thirteen I discovered rock n’roll. When I turned 15, I purchased my first Bruce Springsteen album - “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. I began to record his live concerts, that were radio broadcasts, and then purchased the bootlegs of other shows. Gradually, it became an obsession until the quality started to suck and then I stopped. I preferred radio broadcasts and they became far & few between. When the internet came about, it reconnected me to collectors who had all kinds of shows and the quality was exceptional. So since 1996, I have been avidly collecting bootlegs, studio outtakes, live shows from all the artists I’ve loved.
It’s good that we can all share the music, our thoughts & feelings with folks from around the world. My heart goes out to the citizens of Japan, and it aches for those who losses are irreplaceable.

By Gordon on Mar 17, 2011

Sad moments in our world

By Rochacrimson on Mar 17, 2011

I collect music because I love listening to it. I also enjoy having rare, unreleased material. I like to share it with friends. I don’t know that I’ll stop collecting recordings at any time. I will leave this music to my boys, both of whom are starting to enjoy and appreciate all types of music. They’re both young musicians now as well.

I don’t view this hobby any differently now. The recent events in Japan are reminders of how precious everything that I have is to me. Not just collections, but a family, a home, job, community, etc.

By steve22 on Mar 17, 2011

I love music, it’s the only reason

By king69 on Mar 17, 2011

Japan will survive- and emerge stronger than ever.

Collections- come and go; I started selling off my collection of Marvel and DC comics from the 1960’s and ’70’s — Just being stored- let a new person get pleasure from them. Down to 8 guitars from a high of 33; can’t play more than one at a time,

Books- some you just have to keep.

Have over 400 Vinyl LPs- hundreds of CDs- transitioning to digital (with many Gigabytes from the offerings of bigO).

By NAMoosedog on Mar 17, 2011

hey bigo, i suppose i collect music cause i love it, and i don’t have any other interests. as you can read from my posts on your site, i goto shows, download shows, have friends who are musicians and listen to ton of different music.

when i’m gone, i suppose i would be buried with my music collection, if that’s possible. i don’t think anybody wants what i have. i’m still trying to meet cool people here who know about music. i haven’t yet.

best,
ed

By Ed Saad on Mar 17, 2011

Well, I agree with the first comment: Collecting is not spending time and money just for the thrill of it. If I have something in my collection, is because it interests me in someway. Not everything is equal in my collection, but everything has a sentimental value. Also, I completely share the point of view of someone above who wrote “I like to share it with my friends”. Sometimes, I get bored watching a movie alone, or listening something without commenting it with someone who shares the same interest.

I believe, when I pass away, everything will be inhert to my niece, who is a graphic designer. I am completely sure she will be the keeper of the candle here in my family.

By Alberto on Mar 17, 2011

I am giving my collections comics, music, magic tricks to my two son’s They enjoy the same hobbies

By Keith on Mar 18, 2011

Alice seems to engender strong feelings. Never really my cuppa tea.

By Randy on Mar 18, 2011

Why are you collecting? : “Collecting is a way for me to participate in sharing.”

At age 40+ or 60+, when would you stop actively collecting?: “When it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Although I don’t see that happening.”

What are you gonna do with your collection when you’re gone?: “Give some away, donate some of it, sell some of it and trash the rest.”

More importantly, do you view your hobby differently now?: “No, but I’d like to hear how you do.”

By PentelPencil on Mar 18, 2011

I’ve been collecting since I’m 7…40 years now. I don’t plan on stopping at all. My passion is music and I enjoy all types. I like to broaden my listening experiences and I also like to share new music with friends who aren’t familiar with it. ideally, i’d like to donate my collection to a place where it would get used, not put in storage. although, i did turn my niece and nephew on to music, so they may wind up with it in the end.

By Dennis on Mar 18, 2011

Is it all worth it? If all I had was washed away I would start over . I enjoy music very much , always great stuff to get here , thanks Big O !

By Bruce on Mar 19, 2011

The events in Japan have not changed my collecting habits. I altered them about 4 years ago, when I switched to digital collecting predominantly. Sold all my vinyl (decades’ worth) and most of my physical cds. Just didn’t want so much “stuff” in my life.

And interestingly, switching to digital actually reignited my collecting passion because it opened up so many more vistas and genres to explore with far less investment in terms of both money and physical space.

I still buy a few physical cds, predominantly micro-releases due to the unique packaging and limited quantity–so my collecting jones has become as Ian Faith would say, “more selective”.

I still collect for the same reasons I always did; I’ve only changed the way I collect.

By kingpossum on Mar 19, 2011

it’s all in the fun (enjoyment) of the chase when i’m gone it will be passed on to anyone who enjoys the music etc i have collected

By barrie on Mar 19, 2011

I have collected music most of my life. As of late, I don’t collect new music as much as buy re-issues of the 60’s and 70’s music that was the soundtrack of my life. For example, I think I have at least re-issues of Exile on Main Street and I bought the Beatles catalog in Mono. If I lost my music collection I would be devastated but probably would not have the time or energy to build it back up. In the end, I presume my music collection will eventually end up in a giant yard sale in Florida but I would rather it went to a collector who would appreciate it.

By Mackster on Mar 19, 2011

i have colleted music my whole life because i love music, new version, non edited musical experience, i go to concert as well. i enjoy to share my music collection with good friends, nice chat,spend good time around music. i buy music too but in my hometown it’s fucking spansive sometime or hard to get some recording. so bigo, thank to you for sharing free great music.

By Kikw on Mar 20, 2011

The internet has ended my collecting except for your site. What took me years to find was now available within a few hours of surfing and trading. Now I am very selective. My son isn’t interested in my music so I rely on a few friends to share the experience. It just isn’t as important anymore. I love what I have and enjoy listening to it.

By Jay Bartlett on Mar 20, 2011

I’ve tryed to give my passion to my sons; i hope they will continue to collect music , but it’s not so important; i hope thet will always love music and listen to any kind of music , that’s all.

By paco on Mar 20, 2011

I used to collect alot, first Vinyl in the 80’s, then bootleg silver’s in the 90’s. I don’t collect anything more, because I can donwload nearly every bootleg I want for free (Thanks BigO). The computer industry killed the music industry. I view the cd as a worthless piece of plastic that can easly be replaced or replicated. I still buy cd’s, but I hate downloading music from iTunes because all you get is the music, no artwork, no liner notes, nothing about a fan club , who played bass on Roadhouse Blues. The image of holding the gatefold of an LP / the cd booklet and reading the liner notes is a great experience.

By James on Mar 21, 2011

Like most of us that visit BigO I collect music. It brings joy into my life. Some music brings memories with it. Others bring emotion. New music brings discovery. Some music is just there in the background while other things are happening. I don’t see any reason to stop collecting at a given age. As long as the enjoyment is still there. When that’s gone drop it and move on.
I’m somewhat of a completest with groups that I like. I would buy all their official albums from before and after the point I first discovered them. But that was before the Internet and easy access to bootlegs. I know collecting music can become an obsession. I realize now there is too much out there. I do still enjoy the hunt and still feel elation at finding a long lost treasure or a live show I attended.
I used to buy and keep books too. But after I became poor I rediscovered the public library for both books and music.
As for what will become of my collection, well if I don’t lose it all in a flood or a brush fire my kids can pick through it and the rest goes to the trash or a yard sale.Just because it means something to me I can’t expect them to share my emotion for it. They will have their own interests.Perhaps music too, but from their own generation. My kids or grandkids can’t play my records without buying a turntable and who’s to say technology won’t change again making cds useless. Along with your digital family photos.

PS - I agree with James (above). It would be easy for iTunes to include booklets and liner notes with the downloads. Those notes are how we learned who played on the albums and helped to create a following for a band. Or an artist. For example, without the notes how would you know that was Joe Walsh on the John Entwhistle solo album and only bought it for that reason.
I have started making Wordpad Documents of the info that BigO supplies with the downloads. Just can’t trust to memory forever.
Time wounds all heels.

By Sking on Mar 21, 2011

I’ve come to realize that most of my collecting has been to impress my peers who had the same tastes in music/entertainment as I did. After personal tragedy and loss of several of my friends, the collections seem like a silly waste of time and energy. Things that seemed rare or hard to find are found in abundance in the age of the internet. Small trinkets I thought would be worth something as I grew older, are a dime a dozen on ebay.

My heart goes out to the people of Japan. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to lose everthing in one fell swoop.

It just shows me exactly how unreal the world man has created truly is.

By ZeusKitty on Mar 21, 2011

I often think of the people in Japan these days. And the thought of the volunteers fighting the nuclear hell literally breaks my heart.
So yes, collecting music seems rather stupid and useless right now. Generally speaking, though, it’s always been a great passion for me. I used to love spending hours in record shops, especially those tiny, little second-hand ones, usually hidden in dark alleys. I miss that.
What has always guided me in my constant search for new music is curiosity. And the attempt to escape boredom, probably. Is there also some snobbery hidden deep inside? I admit it: there probably is.
The thought that my collection will probably die with me is sad, and at the moment I just don’t want to think about it.
We love you Japan. You’re gonna resurrect. All you people of Japan are in our hearts.

By frank on Mar 21, 2011

the disaster puts things into perspective, but you can collect for free nowadays as long as you don’t mind having no packing. for me, collecting is like my own memory lane

By Liam NSW on Mar 22, 2011

I love music. So I collect it. Have done so for many years. Can’t stop now. Sure, there could be an earthquake or other natural disaster. There could also be an unnatural disaster. One in seven homes here has been foreclosed upon. They’ll likely get mine this year. Then my music collection will be all I have, materially speaking. Poverty has certainly slowed my collecting. Only death will stop it. What happens to it then? I won’t be around to care. I love the music while I am here to listen to it. That’s what it is for.

By Aking on Mar 23, 2011

I collect live music.

Part of it is a desire to pin down the butterfly in flight — live music has a quality not present in studio creations. But, knowing how some artists disapprove of such appropriation of their work, how do I reconcile this with my desire to behave ethically? Frankly, I haven’t completely solved that problem; but one step is that if an official release becomes available of something I have collected, I immediately purchase that.

By Dan'l on Mar 23, 2011

What can i say, i’m a collector of bootlegs, unofficial music and whatever, but i really don’t know how to comment in this situation.
Is really painfull what is happened to the Japan and what will happened in the whole world by all this problems.
Hope that Satan can help us in a way or another.

By Andrea on Mar 24, 2011

I was in Tokyo when this happened, and even there you could tell it was a big one. I have long gone to digital recordings - with copies in different places. I would be devastated if i lost everything. Bring on cheaper cloud computing!

By Graham on Mar 24, 2011

Did you see the Twilight Zone episode in which Burgess Meredith plays a man wandering alone in an apocalyptic world where literally everything has been reduced to rubble..until he chances upon a former city’s library, which has miraculously been left intact? In awe he fondles the books that survived the devastation..until his eyeglasses fall and shatter to pieces.

My fondest ‘collection’ is my friends, peers and family, for without those, we have no one with whom to share. Perspective is what matters. Without each other nothing else matters. Of course we are sorry for the unthinkable loss and injury the Japanese-of all people, with their kind and respectful ways-have suffered at nature’s hand, but those feelings do not change my view of any hobby I have, except that, as previously posted, perhaps an extra back up wouldn’t hurt. Too bad we can’t back up the hands of time.

When I’m gone-and I expect to collect pretty much up till then-it is my wish that my children derive pleasure from the archives. For me, I’m in a band and appreciate the availability of bootlegs and rarities that widen the scope of my view of influential artists’ commercially available catalog. In the day, as now for many artists, the record scum, er labels, managers and such would rip off mercilessly the income derived from their releases, and live shows and merchandising was the only substantial income many had to show for all their time and effort. I find it fascinating that bootlegs and rarities (uncopyrighted material) are now the only legitimately publishable recordings by entities other than the labels.

By stupiddle on Mar 24, 2011

I’ve collected music since the day when I was 4 and I left about 20 of my favorite 45’s (dating myself) out in the sun and they melted. I resolved to build the biggest collection I could and BigO has been a major part of that for almost 2 years(thanks).

I hope to be able to keep collecting music until the day I die. It’s the universal language…

By TDC on Mar 24, 2011

Bing in the midst of a divorce after 14 years and at the age of 53, I have been looking at all my crap and tossing or giving away most, except for the things most dear to me. All connected to music. My instruments, my vinyl albums and my 8-track collection will not be dissolved. That being said, if I was to experience the type of loss as has occurred in Japan (and I do live in earthquake country), I would’nt care about any of my shit.

By Bilko2720 on Mar 25, 2011

As a guitarist, the purpose of collecting was first for learning songs and second for enjoying songs that had emotional impact. Before the quake and tsunami, I had already lost the entire collection to a hard drive crash that wasn’t backed up, had an arm go dead and later come back, but it seriously impacted my playing, and last month, lost a guitarist brother. So even tho it’s really curiosity about how to play songs live without all the studio tracks that keeps me collecting, if I lost it all, I would not be devastated because it has already been happening in small chunks anyway. Ultimately, the vinyl would get sold, and the reel to reels, cassettes, VHS PCM tapes, live performances and DVDs thrown out or possibly given away. No one would care that I had wide ranging interests. BUT, knowing that humans make amazing varieties of music and will continue to make music, despite devastating tragedies, will help get us all past the recent calamities. Life needs a soundtrack. I am happy and grateful that I was able to hear everything that I have heard in my lifetime.

By leftyguy on Mar 25, 2011

I collect…therefore I am.

By Daniel van Kollenburg on Mar 26, 2011

This rebuild of probably the worst natural disaster in history will indeed be very interesting and something US officials should sit down with paper and pencil and take a few F*ing notes - The Japanese approach to this situation is a marvel to behold. There is a no BS attitude from those repairing the devastated nation and the patience and courage of the Japanese people is astounding. No looting? No mayhem? No automatic weapons going off in the darkness? Perhaps, if the United States can survive a thousand years in the future, we might just have a fraction of the wisdom and and grace under pressure that the Japanese nation has so heroicly demonstrated.

By Boo on Mar 26, 2011

The older I get the more selective I try to be in what I collect - music is my big thing, with books a distant second. If there’s a book I want to read, I’ll usually try to borrow it from a library rather than add yet another book to my collection. With free music downloads, there’s a real temptation to accumulate vast quantities, just because it’s so easy. If I know something is a keeper that I’ll want to listen to again and again, I’ll burn it to a CD. If I know something is not a keeper, I’ll delete it after listening to it once. If I’m not sure, it stays on my hard drive, the intent being to return to it again later (I have a lot of recordings in this category).

I appreciate the comments of others, to the effect that victims of a catastrophe may find themselves being less materialistic after having the experience of losing everything. Although I love my stuff, if I lost it all I hope I’d still love life for its own sake.

By MrBill on Mar 27, 2011

for me @ age 53, i am a music producer who needs to hear new music all the time, to fuel my ideas. i used the music i hear…NOT SAMPLES, to make what i think is interesting and provocative music, that borrows from “anything and everything”. although i don’t release cd’s, i currently have music on Mtv and oxygen network, and i’ve done music for an HBO movie.

By a real mf on Mar 27, 2011

I already have gone through a couple of mass downsizing/removal of collections in my life. When all of my siblings left our family home for good; my parents sold much of our collections with a few exceptions, but mostly, whatever we left home with survived. When I sold my home and moved out of it in 2003; I had 3 weekends of estate sales that ended up being lore for many area collectors in the NJ/PA area. I had many collections that were of large quantities each due to avid collection over 15 years.

I miss some of the stuff that is gone, but that was then and this is now. Just like losing a loved one (pet or human); you miss them or think of them, but they are gone. In the end a lot of what we do becomes a memory distant or far, cherished or not, but it was part of us, nonetheless.

I have limited my collecting since I do not have children and have seen what my own family feels about my Dad’s collections; that is either as a value of money when it sold or a reminder of his hobby.

Ultimately, collecting is a hobby and most of us will continue to do so to some degree or our life makes it less conducive to do so. For example, my dad moved into an adult community that has assisted living. There was room for some stamps and coins and knick knacks, but he sold a bunch of stuff and gave our a bunch, too.

Oh well, life is for the living and not the dead. Enjoy whatever you can without being an asshole to the world or damaging the environment. Collecting antiques is often a way to save them from people when purchased or received by people who do not appreciate the items.

By JALtheImpaler on Mar 27, 2011

I am still collect, but not like I used to. Hell, it is all I have… no kids, no future….years of liberal Democratic policies and teh worthless Republicans that go along with them have left us with so little to aspire for.

THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION IS IN FULL SWING! AMERIKKA… the new 3rd world country!

By The Russian Assassin on Mar 28, 2011

I still collect because I love it. I try to keep it updated and relevant which ,in turn, helps keep the collection under control. I’ll do it as long as I enjoy it. Hey, Beats playing with guns……..And the music never stopped.

By NJGUY on Mar 28, 2011

oh, i have collections. i have star wars stuff from the original three movies. stuff ain’t worth much since george released the last three. thinking i might give them to my young nephews who love star wars.
i have 3000+ mostly rock albums. we all know what most of them are worth. not sure what to do with them. my daughter has no interest in my “old” music.
comic books from the 80’s. most of them worth pretty much nothing. i still get them out and read them occasionally. probably give them to the nephews as well.
i don’t collect much anymore. i’ve got all the music i need, so if a new box set comes out, it has to have some really good and rare trax for me to consider buying it.
comic books are just too damn exspensive and not that good anymore. another industry ruined in my opinion.
i pretty much gave up on collecting a few years back when i got tired of having to box it all up when i moved.

By rog on Mar 28, 2011

I collect to have access to great music and performances. Today I listened to Steely Dan at JJ’s 1974. How many people can say that?

I’m 47, and I realized some time back that the more music I have the less I listen to most of it, so these days I try to be selective in my accumulating.

When I die, my collection will likely end up as trash.

The internet has changed everything both in quantity and quality of live music that’s available. Still glad I taped all those Alex Chilton shows, etc.

By soldout in San Francisco on Mar 30, 2011

Accumulating HAS gotten easier and more voluminous now that organized sharing has taken off. I enjoy a lot of US and European comics (pretty much unavailable in Japan) and live shows from many of my favorite artists of the 60s to 90s that are simply NOT available anywhere else. But following these interests has also opened up a TON of new material that I wouldn’t have found out about if I wasn’t a collector. So, bonus points for that.

By golgo hakase on Mar 30, 2011

I’m 46 and all my “collecting” is really just about the music - it’s my drug of choice. Of course, if there was a disaster of some kind and I had to flee, the safety of my family would come first. Other than that, family photos and movies would be next. If my iPod was the only music I could save I would have to live with that. It’s 120 gigs so not too shabby…

By Jeremy Shatan on Mar 30, 2011

I’m 54 and the couple of thousand records I have are what’s left of the “core” collection. I have been blessed by the rock gods and they gave free promo for many years. The exceptional I kept and the rest passed along. I really only buy the occasional record if it’s a plate I’ve always wanted and it’s either 180+ gr., remastered or a perfect original. I’ve lost all tolerance for abused records and I don’t keep them.
BIG-O has filled MANY holes in my collection and brought back so many memories of shows seen long ago. The old or the new; they’re both good and appreciated-

By John P McNea III on Mar 31, 2011

What a long strange trip it’s been. Seen a lot of things in my life. Some bad, some good, some really bad. Music makes it all worth it. Life goes on.
We did’t start the fire….

By Bill Matthews on Apr 1, 2011

It’s not the collecting that fascinates me; It’s the finding. I love reminiscing when I find a CD that I’ve heard before and enjoy listening to one that I haven’t. I am sure what I’ve collected will be lost someday, hopefully not soon. But, who knows? Maybe my kids WILL pick up where I left off…Tastes do change and seem to be cyclic. My prayers go out to those in Japan! God be with you!

By goldminer on Apr 1, 2011

I always used to record onto tape from the tv and radio. Now I collect the artists I like from BigO and elsewhere, but find I no longer have the ability to listen and do something proper at the same time. So unfortunately I have a large list of mp3s, new unopened cds, and about 20 books still to experience. I guess I am a hoarder waiting for the retirement when I can enjoy it all.
The only important thing to keep are family photos, as they are a part of actual memory. I expect a musician would keep their own work in the same way, but knowing how much the famous have cast off in the past; perhaps we don’t value our own exertions? It is only when others, peers, give validation to our efforts/work/ collections that we accept it was worth while. Accurate self assessment always was difficult.

By guardone on Apr 1, 2011

I collect, therefore I am a collector. I grieve, therefore I am a mourner. I listen, therefore I am a seeker. I live, therefore I celebrate life, through music; therefore I am alive.

By Adam Dean on Apr 1, 2011

So many great comments above…I’ve always loved music from the time I was 5 years old & my father took our family to an outdoor concert that a bar always sponsored…I remember standing near the edge of the stage and I cold hear the drummer hitting the cymbals so clearly. And it excited me! I should have been a musician in real life! I used to take my younger brother to the mall back in the ’70’s and we would go to the record stores [naturally!] and I would stand there and look at all of the records for hours! My poor 7 year old brother would cry after 30 minutes begging me to take him home [he was sooo bored! And I would tell him just a few more minutes! Of course we would be there for another 2 hours!! Today my 47 year old brother just laffs at me when I bring up my record & music collecting…
The digital age is just too cool.I get giddy when I find an old rock show and I can download it and listen to in my car! Collecting is GOOD! I learn so much about music, the artists, and different forms of music. I stopped questioning why I like music and the collecting of it. I hope to pass my collection on to someone that can appreciate it. I don’t view this hobby differently since the disaster in Japan. But I do think about Japan alot & wonder how we would handle the same type of disaster. My heart goes out to them!

By joe sweeney on Apr 10, 2011

I have 78’s,33’s,45’s,cd’s and now mp3 files. I think sometimes what will happen to my thousands of items? I hope that someone will use them. As for now I will still search for ‘what I want” but do I need it?

By Willie on Apr 17, 2011

Why should I see my hobby/passion/obsession differently now? There’s no reason at all. I’m not sure how I would react if I’d lose my collection - get completely mad, feeling relieved, kill someone or myself? I don’t know.
I started collecting records when I was around 15. That’s 35 years from now, and all together I collected between 20- and 25.000 LPs, 12″, 7″, CDs and CD.Singles. Plus some hundred GB’s of MP3s and dozens of complete year’s issues of music magazines. The only thing that stops me is my job, which takes too much time and leaves me with not enough money.
Nothing beats the pleasure of “working” through a good record shop for a whole afternoon, listening to the music, talking to the dealer and finding some rare or brand new stuff. Downloading is o.k., but by far not the same (it’s more the quantity, not the quality). There’s too much stuff I download and never really listen to.

By Walter on Apr 17, 2011

I don’t really collect too much any more, other than music anyway. It all started with hockey and football trading cards and took off from there. I actually stopped saving my magazines and got rid of cases of them about 10 years ago and have not really missed them since. I don’t really have too much of anything left other than music (CD’s,mp3’s,33’s etc). I only collect what I have an interest in. I don’t collect to collect-if that makes any sense.
I think that you get to the point when, for example, you look at a book on your bookshelf. You can read it for the first time, you can read again, you can sell it, you can donate it, you can give it to someone, you can recycle it, you can throw it out, you can burn it, or you can leave on the shelf to collect dust. I think the best option is to share with someone else who would enjoy and appreciate it.
I would definately miss so much of the music that I have been able to acquire over the decades should it suddenly be destroyed, lost, or stolen. At least in this day and age, I would be able to find alot of it on the internet. I have always collected music and will continue to do so. I have to admit that on a few recent occasions I wondered what would happen to all of it if something were to happen to me though. Music has been my hobby for the past 30 years and will continue to be so. Hopefully I will be able to share/give/hand down my collection to others.

By Big Willie on Apr 19, 2011

Collecting came to me through taking home promo from the record store at night to listen to. Most of it was returned but not the cream of the goodies! Today I collect only digital files as there is a younger generation now that can appreciate my music on records. Being 54 isn’t as bad as it would seem. Just about anyone younger than 35 could benefit from either my experience, knowledge or the collection. This is what collecting really means, especially to me.

By John P McNea III on May 5, 2011

To me, these comments are what collecting and the music is all about. One one level, yes, the collection is a materialistic pursuit (perhaps an obsession). On another level, it is the catalyst for us to join this discussion; to meet, to share a passion and to learn from each other. Without a collection, we would have no connection.

Much of my collection was lost in a flood. (I was so exhausted from the other repairs, losses and clean-up, that when it came time to dispose of the vinyl, I was already numb.) As for the rest, my children will probably take it when I’m gone. The music has inspired us to play music together, which gives us a way for the generations to bond.

By Elmore on May 7, 2011

I guess i’m late to this party, but i wanted to tell you why i collect music…it makes my spirit purr. The joy of sharing music….(in the sense that we turn someone on to a new sound/artist/band…whatever)..is a feeling to live for. My son will be the keeper of the flame…..

By deadmandeadman on Jun 22, 2011

I started collecting live music back in the late 1970s because there were very few live concerts in my area at the time and the “big name” bands never came to my small-town. And there were only a couple of record stores in the area and they didn’t sell bootlegs. There were very few places to find other collectors back then, I think I found trading connections in “Relix” and “Aquarian Weekly” magazines, and I enjoyed sending off tapes in the mail and the anticipation of receiving concerts back a week later. Back then, trading on cassettes, most traders would fill up the empty time left on a 60 minute or 90 minute tape with a sample of some other concerts in their collection which was neat. And back then alot of the radio concerts folks traded on cassettes had the commercials and dj intros or chat left in them, which gave you a nice feel for what it was like to listen to the station in some faraway “exotic” city. I don’t know what will happen to my 30+ years stuff I’ve collected after I’m gone… I guess whoever is still around will toss it all out.

By RJ on Jul 4, 2011

I continue to collect because I have done it almost all my life. My father was an avid record collector, so I grew up with it and started doing the same as soon as I had money to spend. It gives me great pleasure to cull through and curate it and it is only at this point that I am starting to get critical mass on some areas of the collection. My kids both like music and my daughter is especially fond of vinyl. I will pass it on to them once I’m gone and it will be their responsibility to take it forward.

By Tim on Jul 15, 2011

I love being able to pull out interesting things, especially unknown recordings from favorite artists. It also helps to be able to satisfy different friends and guests taste.

By the dave on Jul 28, 2011

I’m 44 and I’m a collector. My hobbies were more important to me when I was younger. I used to be more passionate about acquiring all the records or toys or books I wanted. As I matured I thought: life is not forever, I should put some of this stuff back out into the universe so other people can enjoy it. Now that you mention it, yeah - both the world around us, and the collectibles themselves, are as temporary as we humans are. I’m glad I’ve purged so many belonging over the years but I’m equally glad I’ve kept all the best bits to relish as I get older, and to share with my kid and other loved ones.

By David on Aug 1, 2011

I don’t think I could ever stop collecting music.

By Phil on Aug 4, 2011

Collecting is an addiction, plain and simple.

By BigLou on Aug 25, 2011

It’s great to find something you never knew existed, like the family in boston show. That adds a little joy to your life.

By ter kud on Aug 29, 2011

I truly enjoy my collection of bootlegs as they are all artists I never get tired of listening to. I also have created my own bootlegs by sneaking tapedecks into shows and have recorded hundreds of concerts that hopefully someone will enjoy after I am dust. Some are historical, such as the numerous shows of Stevie Ray Vaughan I recorded when he played small clubs in Austin, Texas. I worked with a woman who saw the Beatles at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, Texas and said it was one of the highlights of her life. She said John Lennon kept looking up at her leaning over the balcony. The next day I brought in a live recording of that show and she was reduced to tears of happiness.

By Craig on Sep 29, 2011

I collect because I always have. Never had enough money to buy the music I wanted as a kid. Every time I buy a CD or an LP that I couldn’t have afforded when I was a kid, it’s a small (though pathetic) victory!

By EK on Nov 7, 2011

I collect because it’s the greatest hobby in the world, the gift that keeps on giving. You can listen today, next month, four decades ago, the music is still there and it’s great if you bought it. If it sounds dated, sell it Amazon.com, and you’ll get something back on something you may have bought in 1970! It always has value to someone, mostly you!

By Ken Weber on Nov 12, 2011

i am going to collect beyond the grave,I’ve decided you can take it with you.All that is required is a strong will and large enough casket.

By matt_the_cat on May 16, 2012