(Picture source Keystone Features)
Just take a look at this picture. We might think this is crazy nowadays that people actually did this but it was how people back in the 1950's would sample music. These listening booths were installed, initially, in music stores across London from the 1950's. I think they're fricking great!!
But that was the way back then. It wasn't about streaming, downloading or buying a CD. If you wanted to check out the latest releases without buying during those times it would mean a trip to your local music store and then plonk yourself in a listening booth.
Once comfortable you could then pop your vinyl record onto the turntable and sit in the booth listening to your chosen pick. You would have an entire booth to yourself. What's also striking about the picture above is the absence of headphones. So the booth would be fitted with speakers and you would have to listen to your song while all the other booths played different songs chosen by different customers all at the same time.
I have no idea how sound proofed these booths were but I can not imagine there would not be a clash of songs as booths pumped out song after song to potential buyers.
It's easy to look at this picture and have some sense of nostalgia for a bygone era that I was never part of. I think it would be brilliant if I could find a music store in my vicinity, trundle on down to it and slot myself into one of those booths to sample a song or two!
But while there is nostalgia, nowadays we have access to far more music than ever before, and we don't even have to leave our own home. There is an advantage for sure to the way shifts in the way we access music but there are also negatives. Music stores have all but vanished from most towns these days. Go to the city and you might find the odd remaining music shop, selling only second hand records, CDs and tapes.
The demise of the music shop is a tragedy really. It wasn't just about buying music, it was also a hangout and even for grown ups there was a social aspect to paying a visit to your local music store. Growing up in my town there was a number of music stores we used to hangout and buy music from. These days you will struggle to find any. Times change sure, but it's not all progress.
Peace!