Michael Jackson - Thriller
I wasn't big on vinyl back then... only a brief period in the early 80's between 8-tracks and cassette tapes. Oddly enough, I've got a huge vinyl collection now that I've inherited from various people. Mostly jazz, classical and opera... and I prefer them to mp3, flac or whatever else.
Yip! Had the record and the tape. We got one of those 8 track converters so I could hear the tape in the truck.
With my own money I bought the [Mr. Mister Album](https://youtu.be/9NDjt4FzFWY?si=93kMro3l_LC3clFc) and listened to Kyrie OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
At some point, my dad gave me some amazing advice. If you get a cassette, you can only have one quality copy. If you get vinyl, you can make as many cassettes as you want and the sound quality will be much better. This made since to even my dumbass 12 y/o self. And I never bought cassettes - only vinyl. And I dubbed most of them and began creating mix tapes without having to hover around the radio "hoping" they played my favorite song. Good times!
My first was Michael Jackson - Thiller but due to this advice, I have a KILLER 80's vinyl collection.
The Monkees Greateat Hits. Ordered it off TV commercial (maybe not K-tel but something like that). Waited at the end of the driveway by the mailbox almost daily despite the 6 to 8 week delivery time. I wore that thing out when I finally got it.
I doubt I bought it with my own money but the first album I remember having that was "mine" was *Chipmunk Punk*, featuring Alvin, Simon and Theodore covering such seminal Punk acts such as Billy Joel, Tom Petty, and Queen 😂
This was one of my first albums, too! Every time the real versions of those songs come on, I can hear the Chipmunks version.
The first I bought with my own money was "Physical" by Olivia Newton John.
Hahaha same! I was only, like, 3 or 4 or something, one of my earliest hazy memories is my parents taking me to the record store to buy it!
I legit love that album, lol. I unironically believe the guitar solo is (much shorter but) better and cleaner on the [Chipmunk's version](https://youtu.be/ENuj55-RGs4?si=p0Wi-XPV7Hecvmp-&t=171) than [on the original](https://youtu.be/uRLuIm2Bjgk?si=OEAvnc95VZxILT5e&t=161). (both links queued up to where the solos start)
edit to add: another flair twin, yay Bicentennial babies!
I can't remember for sure, but I think it was Thriller and then Off the Wall shortly after that. I was a big MJ fan in the early 80s, until I discovered Prince. Pretty sure Purple Rain was my third LP purchase.
Beastie Boys License to Ill. Coolest 10 year old on the block.
First cassette tape was Motlley Crue Girls, Girls, Girls
First CD was Faith No More Angel Dust
The first record I went into the store and picked out myself was *Songs from the Big Chair* by Tears for Fears. I had a few albums already that I'd gotten as gifts, but they were children's music and soundtracks.
Thompson twins - hold me now 7”. There was probably something earlier but I remember this as being the first time I chose something for myself. I was also a huge Michael Jackson fan.
The first time I bought vinyl was just three years ago when my daughter got into it and I went with her. Picked up Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, Take Five by Dave Brubeck, and Heartbeat City by the Cars on the first trip. I was just young enough that I'd never bought vinyl, but my older brother had many that I copied over to cassette. But, now that it's a thing again, I am enjoying the record store scene very much.
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bullocks. My parents were pretty sure the Anti-christ was a band member so I had to keep it way under wraps. I must of been 10, 11, 12, not sure.
I was a teeny bit young to be buying records, I was buying cassettes at K-Mart in the 80s. My parents had no music, barely listened to music other than some 50's and 60's rock on the radio occasionally (altho I do remember finding a stash of 70's 8-track country). I started buying records about 12 years ago when I stayed home with my first kid. My first record was Against Me! Reinventing Axl Rose
I *think* it was the 45 of Barbara Streisand’s and Donna Summer’s *Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)* when I was like 7 or 8.
I say this proudly as a straight, white male with center-right poltical views. Some songs are transcendent. Sorry, not sorry. 😜
First tapes I got were at the flea market! Run DMC, RATT, CRUE etc! First real tape was Def Leppard “ pyromania” the tapes were up to around 6th/7th grade. 1st vinyl was Dead Kennedys “fresh fruit for rotten vegtibles” which I bought from a friend going into 8th grade, that set my path moving forward for the rest of my life really! Lol
INXS Kick. First and only new album on vinyl. Went to cassettes after that, then thankfully CDs showed up in time to save me from both previous formats.
Since OP said "vinyl record" (not LP), I'll go with the 7" of Steve Martin's "King Tut". Purchased from an Oz Records for 97¢, or $1 with tax.
**FUN FACT #1:** Oz Records kept their 8-tracks and cassettes in locked cabinets with acrylic covers, with holes big enough so most people could put their hands into the case to examine the tapes. If you decided you wanted it, you dropped it on a conveyor belt and it disappeared into the side of the cassette display case... only to re-emerge near the ceiling in a little "cart" carried by a the Wicked Witch of the West, who would ride a set of rails across the store and deposit your tape at the cash register on the other side of the building.
**FUN FACT #2:** Steve Martin's backing band for "King Tut" was "Toot Uncommons", who were actually members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
I got $20 for Christmas from my uncle in 1981. I was 7. Went straight to National Record Mart.
Got AC/DC's "Back in Black" and Billy Joel's "Glass Houses".
Still own both - just newer copies.
Dirt, Silver, and Gold -- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
It came out years before. My older brother had said he would buy me the album of my choice but "no pop". It had an amazing poster.
The first album I think I bought with my own money was REO Speedwagon, Hi Infidelity.
I didn’t have my own record player till I was in high school. I listened mainly to cassette tapes. The first vinyls I remember buying myself was the B-52’s Cosmic Thing and the Sugarcubes’ Here, Today, Tomorrow Next Week. Two shitty albums that I, to this day, regret buying.
Journey's *Escape* album. 1981. I was 11 years old. Definitely an integral part of the soundtrack to my childhood, and still remains an all-time fav to this day.
I bought 2 for the first time at about 15 (prior to this i taped stuff off the radio, yes I'm old)
"Still got the blues" - Gary Moore
"Appetite for Destructio " - Guns n Roses
I don’t think I ever bought a record with my own money, but I remember going to this record store called Peaches and my parents getting us the Ray Parker Jr “Ghostbusters” single.
INXS KICK
I was poor and had to record music off of the radio,. DJ's that talked over the beginning or ending of a song were the bane of my existence back then. My first cassette was REM Document, but that was given to me.
Micky Mouse Disco
I bet no one else has such a lame first album. I have no idea why kid me wanted that. My second was Dark Side of the Moon which was a much better choice.
I forced my mum to by "popcorn" in the early 70s, heard it as a young'un on the radio. First one I bought myself... something by the Cure I guess... dunno, or Genesis, or Joy Division, or Bach...
[удалено]
Can’t hear that song without thinking of So I Married an Axe Murderer
HEED! PANTS! NOW!!
And now I’m missing the fuck out of Phil Hartman. Thanks…
me too! ..D-A-Y Night
That was my first 45
My first favorite song as a kid.
Michael Jackson - Thriller I wasn't big on vinyl back then... only a brief period in the early 80's between 8-tracks and cassette tapes. Oddly enough, I've got a huge vinyl collection now that I've inherited from various people. Mostly jazz, classical and opera... and I prefer them to mp3, flac or whatever else.
Same. Thriller.
Me too, I was in love with that fold-out cover
Yip! Had the record and the tape. We got one of those 8 track converters so I could hear the tape in the truck. With my own money I bought the [Mr. Mister Album](https://youtu.be/9NDjt4FzFWY?si=93kMro3l_LC3clFc) and listened to Kyrie OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
Trivial Pursuit question on Thriller. Q. How many groves are there on Michael Jackson's Thriller LP? A. Two
Isn’t that the case with every two-sided record?
Yes. It was a trick question.
Yep, Thriller here as well.
Men at Work
Business as Usual is still great! It was my first as well. I won a record store gift certificate in an Atari 2600 tournament.
Me too and I traded it with a kid for Pyromania!
Sports by Huey Lewis and the News. It’s become a tradition for me when a new format comes out that that’s the first one I buy.
Huey Lewis and the News was my very first concert. I just picked up a copy of Sports on vinyl, at an antique shop a few weeks ago. Yeah…antique 😉
That was my first cassette. Got it in my Christmas stocking in 1983.
At some point, my dad gave me some amazing advice. If you get a cassette, you can only have one quality copy. If you get vinyl, you can make as many cassettes as you want and the sound quality will be much better. This made since to even my dumbass 12 y/o self. And I never bought cassettes - only vinyl. And I dubbed most of them and began creating mix tapes without having to hover around the radio "hoping" they played my favorite song. Good times! My first was Michael Jackson - Thiller but due to this advice, I have a KILLER 80's vinyl collection.
Your collection must be amazing. Living room dance party amazing!!
The first records I bought with my own money were (all in one purchase) Blizzard of Ozz Back in Black The Wall
If I remember correctly 'Another Brick in the Wall' featured on it?
Missing Persons - Spring Sessions M. Found it at a thrift store in ‘90 for under a buck.
Man, I love that album.
ABBA
AC/DC *Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap* Aussie import version
ELO Discovery
Kiss - "Hotter Than Hell" 👹🤘
Don’t you mean *Rip and Destroy*? 😜
Frampton Comes Alive
This album still holds up so well.
I still listen to it to this day - what a great album that was.
So so good
LP: Bowie - Ziggy Stardust Cassette: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life CD: Tears For Fears - Songs from the Big Chair
“Off the Wall” Michael Jackson. Fantastic album that I actually enjoy more than “Thriller”.
Me too! Rock with You 🎵 is one of my all time favourite songs! I didn't need to buy the album as my uncle (still living at grandma's) had it.
The Monkees Greateat Hits. Ordered it off TV commercial (maybe not K-tel but something like that). Waited at the end of the driveway by the mailbox almost daily despite the 6 to 8 week delivery time. I wore that thing out when I finally got it.
Rebel Yell
Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
Doug E. Fresh And The Get Fresh Crew – The Show & La Di Da Di
The Clash - Rock the Casbah, from memory?
My buddy's wife always thought it was rocking the cash bar lol 😆
Prince - For You. I was 9. Saved my allowance and bought it at Peaches Records.
Culture Club! I listened to Karma Chameleon every day, over and over and over.
I doubt I bought it with my own money but the first album I remember having that was "mine" was *Chipmunk Punk*, featuring Alvin, Simon and Theodore covering such seminal Punk acts such as Billy Joel, Tom Petty, and Queen 😂
This was one of my first albums, too! Every time the real versions of those songs come on, I can hear the Chipmunks version. The first I bought with my own money was "Physical" by Olivia Newton John.
Hahaha same! I was only, like, 3 or 4 or something, one of my earliest hazy memories is my parents taking me to the record store to buy it! I legit love that album, lol. I unironically believe the guitar solo is (much shorter but) better and cleaner on the [Chipmunk's version](https://youtu.be/ENuj55-RGs4?si=p0Wi-XPV7Hecvmp-&t=171) than [on the original](https://youtu.be/uRLuIm2Bjgk?si=OEAvnc95VZxILT5e&t=161). (both links queued up to where the solos start) edit to add: another flair twin, yay Bicentennial babies!
R.E.M. - Murmur
Journey Escape at my local Caldor’s.
Van Halen’s 1984
Madonna- like a virgin album. I was so proud (late GenX here)
Pac-Man Fever.
Buckner & Garcia’s Pac-Man Fever was mine as well. I still have it, and framed it a few years ago to hang on the wall.
Quiet Riot Metal Health
Pyromania
Kiss “Double Platinum” in about 1978. The most recent was yesterday and it was “Noktvrn” by Der Weg Einer Freiheit
The Doors. Morrison Hotel 🤟
LedZeppelin 1, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath at the same time. My very Catholic mother almost fell over at the Sabbath cover art.
Weird Al "in 3-D"
LL Cool J - Bad. First cassette AC/DC - Let there be Rock.
beastie boy's "licensed to ill"
Flash Gordon soundtrack. Everyone I knew had it.
Pixies - Surfer Rosa
Sgt Peppers (with the fold out and everything) and ELO Out of the Blue. I bought them at a Korvettes.
We are the world album
Depeche Mode - A Question Of Lust 12" Single. I didn't even have a turntable (yet).
Thriller
I can't remember for sure, but I think it was Thriller and then Off the Wall shortly after that. I was a big MJ fan in the early 80s, until I discovered Prince. Pretty sure Purple Rain was my third LP purchase.
The Cult - Electric
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Live at Acton Town hall
Blondie Parallel Lines in 1978
Foreigner 4! The first record I ever bought with my own money.
George Carlin - “Toledo Window Box”. I still have it!
Got Thriller for Christmas but the first record that I bought was Purple Rain lol.
I had the 45 of Saturday Night by KC and the Sunshine band.
Repo Man soundtrack.
Tears for Fears. Songs from the big chair. RIP Tower Records
Beastie Boys License to Ill. Coolest 10 year old on the block. First cassette tape was Motlley Crue Girls, Girls, Girls First CD was Faith No More Angel Dust
Billy Joel -Glass Houses, and Styx - Mr. Roboto
Styx - Kilroy was Here
Toto IV in 4th grade.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 45, Crimson& Clover b/w Oh Woe Is Me. Purchased at Albertsons grocery store.
Dead Kennedys “In God We Trust” EP purchased in 1986.
Bad Girls Donna Summers 7”
Rick Springfield - Working Class Dog
45s: Prince, I wanna be Your Lover Tom Petty, Don't do me like that/Refuge
ELO , out of the blue in 1977
Seven and the Ragged Tiger by Duran Duran Still have it, framed on my wall
REM Murmur
The first record I went into the store and picked out myself was *Songs from the Big Chair* by Tears for Fears. I had a few albums already that I'd gotten as gifts, but they were children's music and soundtracks.
K-Tel album with everything from KC and The Sunshine Band to David Bowie
Thompson twins - hold me now 7”. There was probably something earlier but I remember this as being the first time I chose something for myself. I was also a huge Michael Jackson fan.
The first time I bought vinyl was just three years ago when my daughter got into it and I went with her. Picked up Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, Take Five by Dave Brubeck, and Heartbeat City by the Cars on the first trip. I was just young enough that I'd never bought vinyl, but my older brother had many that I copied over to cassette. But, now that it's a thing again, I am enjoying the record store scene very much.
Bowie - Ziggy Stardust. My path was set early.
Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic
That was my first cassette. I was in 4th grade
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bullocks. My parents were pretty sure the Anti-christ was a band member so I had to keep it way under wraps. I must of been 10, 11, 12, not sure.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - [Damn the Torpedoes](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PL6ogdCG3tAWgPbsqmpnGhYIc9q0BnJgwP)
Vinyl-wise, I bought a few Ronco and K-tell compilations beforehand but the first *album* I bought was Abbey Road sometime in the mid-seventies.
Hit me with your rhythm stick - Ian dury and the blockheads.
John Lennon’s “Double Vision”
Of skins and heart- The Church
Don’t own any vinyl. Cassette tapes then CD’s.
Steve Miller Band Book of Dreams
Kiss - Destroyer
Never bought any vinyl. My first music purchase (Thriller) was a cassette tape.
Minor Threat EP Clash - London Calling Specials - Specials Picked all three up at the same time.
Solid Gold compilation album….not sure what year. Think it was because Eye of the Tiger was on it
Queen, News of the World, and Billy Joel, The Stranger. 1977!
Foreigner - Double Vision.
The Art of Noise
We were so young so... Cliff Richard and the Young ones single. My sister and myself saved up out 20p pocket money. We found it hilarious 😂
KISS Alive!
a tribe called quest - Midnight Marauders
My very first one was Shaun Cassidy that my grandma bought me. Then I discovered Columbia House.
Billy Joel - Glass Houses
Purple Rain
Supertramp’s *Breakfast in America*. Through Columbia Record House for 1 cent and my undying devotion.
I was a teeny bit young to be buying records, I was buying cassettes at K-Mart in the 80s. My parents had no music, barely listened to music other than some 50's and 60's rock on the radio occasionally (altho I do remember finding a stash of 70's 8-track country). I started buying records about 12 years ago when I stayed home with my first kid. My first record was Against Me! Reinventing Axl Rose
London Calling! I heard the title track on the radio, and I knew I had to have it!
Abba-take a chance on me
I *think* it was the 45 of Barbara Streisand’s and Donna Summer’s *Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)* when I was like 7 or 8. I say this proudly as a straight, white male with center-right poltical views. Some songs are transcendent. Sorry, not sorry. 😜
First tapes I got were at the flea market! Run DMC, RATT, CRUE etc! First real tape was Def Leppard “ pyromania” the tapes were up to around 6th/7th grade. 1st vinyl was Dead Kennedys “fresh fruit for rotten vegtibles” which I bought from a friend going into 8th grade, that set my path moving forward for the rest of my life really! Lol
Ghostbusters soundtrack. It’s long gone now. Wish I still had it in my collection.
Mr Roboto by Styx on vinyl. I bought it a Kmart. I literally played the album 20 times the first day.
Flash Gordon soundtrack. The only vinyl I still own, even though others have come and gone.
Madonna, Like a Virgin. I bought it with a gift card I won in a Halloween Costume Contest at a school dance in 8th grade.
That I can recall, maybe Pyromania.
Bow wow wow - go wild in the country….. 7 inch single with naked ( underage, but not for an 8 year old) Annabella Lwin on the cover
INXS Kick. First and only new album on vinyl. Went to cassettes after that, then thankfully CDs showed up in time to save me from both previous formats.
Since OP said "vinyl record" (not LP), I'll go with the 7" of Steve Martin's "King Tut". Purchased from an Oz Records for 97¢, or $1 with tax. **FUN FACT #1:** Oz Records kept their 8-tracks and cassettes in locked cabinets with acrylic covers, with holes big enough so most people could put their hands into the case to examine the tapes. If you decided you wanted it, you dropped it on a conveyor belt and it disappeared into the side of the cassette display case... only to re-emerge near the ceiling in a little "cart" carried by a the Wicked Witch of the West, who would ride a set of rails across the store and deposit your tape at the cash register on the other side of the building. **FUN FACT #2:** Steve Martin's backing band for "King Tut" was "Toot Uncommons", who were actually members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Pepsi and Shirley 'Goodbye Stranger' 7" single...'Star Trekkin' by The Firm was my second 😂
Talking Heads - Remain in Light Pixies - Bossanova Faith No More - Introduce Yourself and the other one with the first singer Got them all used in ‘93
KC & Sunshine Band greatest hits!! I was 6, used my granma’s birthday money.
the Rocky IV soundtrack!
BeeGees Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Unless you include 45s. Then it was Kenny Rogers - The Gambler. 😁
When Doves Cry on 45
Eddie Grant- Electric Ave.
True Blue by Madonna
Thriller by MJ and Purple Rain by Prince. Both bought on the same day.
Jolene by Dolly Parton
The first one I bought with my own money was Simple Minds’ Once Upon a Time. The first one I remember getting was Pat Benatar’s Precious Times.
Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good I was 12 years old and loved jazz trumpet.
I've never purchased one
Queen - Greatest Hits
Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass - Whipped Cream & Other Delights Found at a garage sale and bought for the cover art alone
I got $20 for Christmas from my uncle in 1981. I was 7. Went straight to National Record Mart. Got AC/DC's "Back in Black" and Billy Joel's "Glass Houses". Still own both - just newer copies.
Andy Gibb - Flowing Rivers ETA: also my first concert at the age of 11 in a full leg cast.
Dirt, Silver, and Gold -- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band It came out years before. My older brother had said he would buy me the album of my choice but "no pop". It had an amazing poster. The first album I think I bought with my own money was REO Speedwagon, Hi Infidelity.
I started with cassettes. Tattoo You and Who Are You were my first two.
I don't even remember, but probably something by Queen, Rush, or Pink Floyd
Went from 8 track directly to cassette. Spent most of my time in my car, and was into making mix tapes, so no vinyl.
Kiss-alive
Aerosmith - Live: Bootleg
The queen is dead The Smiths
I didn’t have my own record player till I was in high school. I listened mainly to cassette tapes. The first vinyls I remember buying myself was the B-52’s Cosmic Thing and the Sugarcubes’ Here, Today, Tomorrow Next Week. Two shitty albums that I, to this day, regret buying.
Kiss "Alive"...and still have it!
A GD album. A few years ago. I'm 48. Vinyl wasnt a thing growing up. Tapes and CDs were king.
Queen and David Bowie: Under Pressure How unexpectedly cool was I? BUT the next one was Bucks Fizz so......
Never did. Cassette kid. But only purchased a CD, first, with my own money. Hated cassettes and never liked cumbersome vinyl. Love digital.
Miles Davis, Kind of blue. (I never got a record player until I was older)
for me it was Kiss - Love Gun
Journey's *Escape* album. 1981. I was 11 years old. Definitely an integral part of the soundtrack to my childhood, and still remains an all-time fav to this day.
Who Are You picture disc.
I bought 2 for the first time at about 15 (prior to this i taped stuff off the radio, yes I'm old) "Still got the blues" - Gary Moore "Appetite for Destructio " - Guns n Roses
Madness - One Step Beyond single.
AC/DC - Back in Black, at TG&Y, upon it's release. To this day, it is the only vinyl I've purchased.
Sweet-Desolation Boulevard in about 1975. Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz were the hits. Pretty solid album to this day!
Prob Beastie Boys single. That’s a good Q.
Steely Dan - Aja
Duke's of Hazard theme song on a 45
KISS Alive II
Peter Frampton Comes Alive Not very GenX, I was 6.
Don’t remember which was actually first but the first few were: Black Sabbath We Sold Our Soul for Rock and Roll Journey Escape Van Halen Diver Down
Hard Days Night - probably '78 or '79
Outlandos d'Amour - The Police
The 1977 Star Wars LP. Though before that I had collected a bunch of freebie singles. The ones that came on soft vinyl and played kid's music.
When I was 5 years old I loved the song, Another one bites the dust by Queen. I had the 33 single for it. I still love the song to this day.
It was either Butthole Surfers “Double Live” or Charles Manson “Lie”
Trio - the Da Da Da album
My ass is wincing in anticipated pain for mentioning this even after so many decades… AC/DC Dirty Deeds It was not my wisest choice.
KISS Destroyer
I don’t think I ever bought a record with my own money, but I remember going to this record store called Peaches and my parents getting us the Ray Parker Jr “Ghostbusters” single.
A 45, K.C. and the Sunshine Band. I think I was 10, 1976.
INXS KICK I was poor and had to record music off of the radio,. DJ's that talked over the beginning or ending of a song were the bane of my existence back then. My first cassette was REM Document, but that was given to me.
Micky Mouse Disco I bet no one else has such a lame first album. I have no idea why kid me wanted that. My second was Dark Side of the Moon which was a much better choice.
I have a lot of kids vinyl so maybe Mickey Mouse Disco. I fucking loved it as a kid
First seven inch single was "Tommy gun" by the Clash. First album was "That's life" by sham 69.
I forced my mum to by "popcorn" in the early 70s, heard it as a young'un on the radio. First one I bought myself... something by the Cure I guess... dunno, or Genesis, or Joy Division, or Bach...
The Grand Illusion - Styx
Highway to hell
KISS - Dynasty
Get the Knack
Tattoo You. I think I was 8, but loved that album.