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Record Collector Magazine - Christmas 2025 - Issue 578

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In this issue

578 Christmas In this issue: Bob Geldof guest-edits RC! … Queen take on 10cc… A history of seasonal singles… Xmas chats with Shaun & Bez of Happy Mondays, Al Jardine of The Beach Boys, Monochrome Set, Eater, Virgin Prunes and Yuletide celebrations of 80s disco, London 45s, 70s game-changing records & more…

I AM A LASER

Laser-etched and hologram discs had their day in the sun. Joe Geesin focuses on some of the landmark innovations that haven't entirely faded away

4 mins

The Collector

Warren Kurtz began collecting records in the 60s and has written about music since the 70s.

6 mins

Luke Haines writes the shuk out of rock'n'roll

Luke Haines writes the shuk out of rock'n'roll The piquant power of forgotten fruit

3 mins

33½ minutes with...Brinsley Schwarz

It's 60 years since Brinsley Schwarz made his recording bow, a handful of singles with the semi-psychedelic pop band Kippington Lodge, but he became a more visible presence later in the decade when he lent his name to the pub rock figureheads who also included Nick Lowe in their number.

4 mins

YOU CAN CALL ME AL

Inevitably, the obituaries that followed in the wake of his death in June focused on the work of lead Beach Boy, Brian Wilson.

10+ mins

Bless Whatever

For over 60 years double-bassist Danny Thompson, who died in September, remained a highly respected and in-demand musician.

10+ mins

THE RHYTHM DIVINE

By the late 70s it ostensibly sucked, but by the early 80s it was enjoying renewed and rude health. It was the dance music that could never die: here, we look at what disco did next after Comiskey Park.Boogie wander: Kris Needs

10+ mins

TEEN SPIRIT

Of all the first-wave punk bands, Eater were arguably the truest to form.

9 mins

CAN YOU DIGIT?

FLACS, WAVs, MP3s, M4As... to many record collectors, files on a computer hold little interest, even though they may contain the actual sounds that fuel our passion for music in the first place. But even if they don't exist in physical format, the emergence of downloading and streaming platforms since the turn of the century, and the subsequent removal of some of the \"content\" therein, has made some of the music circulated rare and sought-after.

10+ mins

Behold The Man Friday, The Leader Of The Virgin Prunes

Since the late 70s, Gavin Friday has trod a singular path, whether as part of influential post-punks The Virgin Prunes, soundtracking Hollywood blockbusters.

10+ mins

45 minutes with...Shaun and Bez

Inspired by 1973 film That'll Be The Day, Shaun Ryder formed Happy Mondays in 1980 with a lineup completed by bassist brother Paul Ryder, drummer Gaz Whelan, keyboardist Paul Davis and guitarist Mark Day.

6 mins

BLACK AND WHITE MISFITS

Arty oddities on the late-70s punk scene, The Monochrome Set did things their way, alienating some. Generations that followed have been more appreciative, which is why they have intermittently regrouped and have a new album and book in the pipeline, as they tell Rob Hughes

10+ mins

BOB'S FULL HOUSE

As our Christmas present to you, Record Collector spent several hours over several weeks in the company of this issue's editor: Bob Geldof, Knight of the Realm, Live Aid hero, sometimes conscience of the world, but deep down a music nut to the tips of his toes.

10+ mins

LOOKIN' AFTER No 1s THE XMAS FACTOR

Does your granny always tell ya that the old songs are the best? The truth might be more curious and complex, as Chris Roberts finds, tearing off the wrapping paper to discover the full history of the Christmas No 1

10+ mins

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKERS

In 1975, 10cc and Queen reigned supreme with I'm Not In Love and that also happened to be the Christmas No 1. But how did both Bohemian Rhapsody. The former was the chart-topping sound of the game-changing singles happen that year, and which, wonders Paul summer and a production landmark, the latter a multi-part song-suite McNulty, remains the most revolutionary example of 70s songcraft?

10+ mins

'WE'D JUST WALLOW IN HOW FUCKING BRILLIANT WE WERE'

Graham Gouldman on I'm Not In Love, The Original Soundtrack and 10cc's next-level pop.

8 mins

Heaven From Hell

An exhilarating masterpiece wrung from a period of turmoil and unease, all done up for its 50th birthday.

5 mins

THE ENGINE ROOM

The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music

4 mins

UNDER THE RADAR

Artists, bands, and labels meriting more attention

4 mins

Read all Stories from Record Collector

Record Collector Magazine Description:

Publisher: Metropolis-Group

Category: Music

Language: English

Frequency: Monthly

Record Collector Magazine is a monthly magazine dedicated to all aspects of record collecting, from the latest releases to rare and vintage vinyl. It is published by Metropolis Group The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including:

* New releases: Record Collector Magazine reviews new albums from all genres, including rock, pop, jazz, blues, and classical music.

* Reissues: The magazine also reviews reissues of classic albums, as well as box sets and compilations.

* Rare and vintage vinyl: Record Collector Magazine features articles on rare and vintage vinyl, including profiles of record labels, artists, and producers.

* Collecting tips: The magazine provides tips on how to start collecting records, how to care for your collection, and how to find the best deals.

* Record collector interviews: Record Collector Magazine interviews record collectors from all walks of life, from celebrities to everyday people.

Record Collector Magazine is known for its high-quality journalism, its informative and engaging articles, and its commitment to providing its readers with the latest news and information about the record collecting world.