When iTunes was in the backroom of the music store

I have found many in boxes in the garage. Cassette tapes with compilations of my favorite tracks. Labels are written and drawn by hand, many are quite beautiful and well finished. Songs are starting from mid-80's. There were no MP3's, there were no iPods, there was no iTunes. There were not even CDs, or at least they were not common.

Yet, we were able to have the music we wanted.

The least expensive way to get our own music was to record the songs broadcasted by the radio with a cassette recorder. But they were poor, intruded by the voice of the deejay, and we had to have the patience to wait for our favorites songs.

The best method, indeed, was to have our own trusted 'iTunes man'. Mine was called l'Armando. It was the small music shop at the corner. Its consolidated 'business model' provided that we kids went into the store with a list of our favorite songs. Hits of the day, usually. He read the paper, wrote our name on it, and told us when to come back into the store. Usually within a few days we had our cassette with the music we wanted. For a modest price. It was illegal, yes, but only because it was the only practical way to be able to afford our music with our weekly budget. If there was a legal system, we would have followed it with enthusiasm.

Yes. My iTunes was the backroom of the music store at the corner.



(photo by animalvegetable)