Ep500: Fred Schneider of The B-52s - Record Collector

The Vinyl Guide Interview - For Record Collectors & Music Nerds

Fred Schneider of The B-52s discusses his massive 10,000+ record collection while sharing stories about the B-52's early days, the original "Rock Lobster" single, vinyl reissues and new boxset.

Topics Include:

• Massive record collection visible in wall-to-ceiling custom cabinets
• Estimates 10,000+ records, considers himself a "record nut"
• Collection includes avant-garde, classical, funk, soul, bad records
• Loves bad Christmas records and Halloween records specifically
• Been collecting since age 13, started in early days
• Currently has broken receiver, can't play main system
• Portable player works for 45s but stops unexpectedly
• Still adding records but doing major purge now
• Selling and donating records, too many to listen to
• Donates to Archive of Contemporary Music organization regularly
• Most precious records are original 45s from youth
• Still has first album mother bought thinking Beatles
• Moved into funk, Led Zeppelin, then New Wave music
• Was Sirius Satellite Radio DJ for three years
• Prefers first pressings, doesn't care about reissues much
• Looking for "When I'm Gone" by Brenda Holloway
• Will clean up scuffed records if sound improves
• Vinyl never left his turntable despite CD popularity
• Listens to music most of day while doing activities
• Plays classical mornings while reading magazines and coffee
• Enjoys electronic music from 50s/60s and harp music
• B-52s sound came from all members' varied influences
• Band was lumped with punk but more "freak punk"
• Original "Rock Lobster" single recorded in Georgia mountains
• DB Records pressed 2,000 copies, sold out quickly
• Eventually pressed 30,000 total copies of original single
• Australia embraced band early, rolled out red carpet
• Band never saw penny from original single sales
• Talking Heads recommended B-52s to their manager successfully

Enter to win a record from us to celebrate Ep500

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