No iTunes Here - Beatle Related 45s Found Today

Recently Apple Records announced that the Beatle catalog finally is available on Apple's (the other company) iTunes - making the leap into the 21st century for the Fab Four. Today a bit of retro smacked the 42N team with the purchase of now classic '50s, '60s and '70s pop by one Beatle, one mentor, and two students. Any artist on the Apple record label (cassette and 8-track tapes, 45s, LPs) is generally hard to find let alone in good to great condition. All of these 45 rpm records are in average condition given their age and play use.

Top row (left to right): "Without You" recorded by Harry Nilsson went to number 1 on the billboard chart. "Without You" was written and recorded earlier by the Beatle's protege band Badfinger. The next two Apple label singles here are by Mary Hopkins, one of the first artists the Beatles signed to the Apple label. She recorded "Those Were the Days", written by Gene Raskin and the Paul McCartney penned tune "Goodbye." She is best known for these two recordings. Her recording of "Those Were the Days" reached number 2 while "Goodbye" hit number 13 in the US. 

Bottom row (left to right): "Think it Over" was composed and recorded by the Crickets (Buddy Holly). McCartney highly regards Holly and purchased the entire Holly song catalog years later. "My Love" by McCartney, from the Red Rose Speedway album was issued on the Apple label in name only. The record reached number 1. The flip side contains "The Mess" which is a good rocker. And finally another copy of McCartney's "Listen to What the Man Said" was collected today - yet another number 1 song.

Granted these recordings are filled with snap, crackle and pop when played on the turntable. They also show wear on their labels from record stacking. Yet to physically hold a recording of a classic pop song is something the digital age has yet to offer outside of a CD and jacket. With iTunes a song file is purchased and downloaded for play - no physical media to scratch or label to write your name on. Know that.

Buddy Holly & the Crickets 1955 Touring Car on Display in Belle Plaine Iowa

Rounding out tribute week to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper is a month long exhibit of the Buddy Holly & the Crickets 1955 Touring car at the Belle Plaine (Iowa) Area Museum. Holly memorabilia collectors from Marshall county, Iowa were contacted by Peggy Sue (of the Holly song fame) about the availability of the car from a Lubbock, Texas source a few years ago. LeRoy and Patti Morford purchased and restored the 1955 Pontiac. The car (named Rave On after one of Holly's songs) was once owned by Jerry Allison the drummer of the Crickets. The present owners display the car at various car shows and parades. While other Holly memorabilia is on display at the museum a more personal item is located in the car's back seat - one of Buddy's acoustic guitars. Did he compose any of his hits on that guitar? Did he use the six string during live performances or recordings? You knows, but with all the attention focused on the Holly legend this week we unexpectedly walked into a setting of real Holly artifacts that simply won't fade away.

Listen or download here as museum volunteer, Elizabeth Gates describes the touring car and guitar. Know that.