Get spinning on August 12th with National Vinyl Record Day! Whether it’s the Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Monkees, Johnny Cash or the BeeGees, vinyl records have a sound all their own. Most will agree, vintage vinyl is as classic as the bands themselves.

The day encourages listening to all kinds of music on vinyl records. Spin a disc on a jukebox or show off your style by demonstrating your hip hop moves.

About Vinyl Records

Jukebox at Wax Trax Records in Las Vegas loaded with 45s.

When vinyl records first came on the market they had other names. Some of them were gramophone record or a phonograph record. They are also called records for short. The analog sound storage medium consists of a flat disc. The sound is recorded by inscribing it on a modulated spiral groove.

Depending on the speed at which the sound was recorded, the vinyl record will need to be played at a corresponding speed on the record player. This is referred to as rotational speed. The revolutions per minute (RPMs) of the more popular vinyls are:

• 45s
• 33 1/3
• 78s

Other features of vinyl records included reproductive accuracy or fidelity (High Fidelity or Hi-Fi, Orthophonic and Full-Range), their time capacity (long-playing or single), and the number of channels of audio provided (mono, stereo or quadraphonic).

Vinyl records were also sold in different sizes such as:

• 12 inch
• 10 inch
• 7 inch

By 1991, vinyl records left the mainstream. However, manufacturers continue to produce them. Collectors and audiophiles increasingly desire the unique sound that only vinyl can produce. Since 2006, vinyl record sales continue to increase according to Pitchfork.com. Even more dramatic sales started hitting the markets beginning in 2012. 

NATIONAL VINYL RECORD DAY HISTORY

Gary Freiberg of Los Osos, California founded National Vinyl Record Day commemorating the day Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. Freiberg encourages everyone to remember fond memories and the good things in life, especially vinyl records.

Explore More…

• National Record Store Day
• National Vinyl Record Day
• Vinyl Favorites
• National Retro Day
• National Jukebox Day
• National One Hit Wonders Day
• International Blues Music Day
• National Jazz Apprecation Month
• Universal Music Day
• Classical Music Month
• World Music Therapy Day
• International Jazz Day
• National Chamber Music Month
• Marching Music Day
• National Film Score Day
• The Day the Music Died Day
• One Hit Wonders
• Patriotic
• Jazz
• Saxophone
• Happiness
• Upsy Daisy
• Halloween
• Feeling Good
• Brave
• Musicals
• Christmas
• Movies
• Meditation
• Valentines
• Summer Fun
• Lucifer
• Gratitude
• Joygerm
• November
• Party Playlist
• The Blues Playlist
• Vinyl Favorites

HOW TO OBSERVE #VinylRecordDay

Stop by a vinyl record store in your town. While browsing through the selections, reminisce about the Good Ol’ Days. You can also dive into your own collection. Listen to your favorites or find a new favorite to enjoy. Share your discoveries using #VinylRecordDay to post on social media.