cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

THE WURLITZER JUKEBOX--A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

1948 Wurlitzer Jukebox
 Beatles Rare Jukebox

The first Jukebox burst into song in San Francisco's Palais Royal Saloon in 1890. It was named after the Creole slang for dancing---jook---jukebox---and carousers were so taken with invention, that in six months, listeners put $1,000 (an incredible amount for the time) and it only played ONE SONG.

In 1908 John Danton of Michigan invented the first jukebox with more than one tune (much to the relief of the barflies who were working the Saloon). By 1927, the Automatic Music Instrument Company, created the world's first electrically amplified multi-selection phonograph---the jukeboxe as we know it today.

One of the more pleasant memories from my past was hanging out at Paul's Restaurant in Hanover, after school and on weekend's --paying to play Eric Burdon's Montery, or The Strawberry Alarm Clock's Incense, Peppermints on the Jukebox. Even in my earlier years living in Owen Sound, a few of the restaurants' had the machines right at your booth and you could pick your favourite song waiting for your order to arrive.

The first machines played 78's, then 45's and now the new ones play cd's and can also be hooked up with mp3 players. The 1948 Wurlitzer in the photo captures the wild design styling of the 40's & 50's and just by putting these gorgeous machines in a restaurant, bar or entrance of your gaming room, it is sure to enhance the mood and decor of almost any surrounding.

There are way too many of these great early Wurlitzer Machines for me to cover, but one that I wanted show the cktimes readers is the Rock-Ola Beatles Yellow Submarine Jukebox made in 2002, and a limited run of 100 units. VERY COOL and COLOURFUL LOOKING. This machine is the Most Popular Jukebox of all time and was approved by Apple Records Ltd. I am waiting for one to be made of The Rolling Stones. I found a couple of them for sale on the internet and even Ozzy Osbourne has his Juke up for sale---check out his site at http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1573967&...pid=2660083 there are a few more Ozzy items up for auction on this page.

So next time you see one of these great machines in a retro-hamburger haven, throw in your quarter, sit back, enjoy the song you picked that held a special memory from your past.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.