Bluesky users share nostalgia for record store encounters with artists
A photo of Prince signing albums at Sam Goody in 1988 sparks hundreds of commenters recounting their own in-store artist meetings and record store memories.
What to know
- Record stores were cultural hubs where fans could meet artists, discover music through curation, and build community—experiences commenters say streaming services cannot replicate.
- Hundreds of Bluesky users shared personal encounters with musicians at iconic stores like Tower Records, Sam the Record Man, and independent shops across North America.
- The conversation reveals deep nostalgia for the tactile, serendipitous discovery and social connection that record stores offered, with commenters lamenting that younger generations will never experience this.
Record stores were irreplaceable cultural institutions that offered discovery, curation, community, and direct artist access that digital streaming cannot replicate.
-
“Record and book stores were an important part of my life, that streaming services can't quite replace.”
majmattmason.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Record stores were social gathering places where people formed lasting personal connections, both with music and with other people.
-
“I met a girl while she worked at one. We have been married for 47 years now.”
cencalmike.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Prince MusicianMichael Warburton Bluesky user
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage postscomments
-
1
Users flood replies with record store memories and artist encounters
The post sparked over 150 comments as Bluesky users shared their own experiences meeting musicians at Tower Records, Sam the Record Man, and independent record stores across the US and Canada, along with broader recollections of record store culture.
“I have nothing but fondness for record stores. I met a girl while she worked at one. We have been married for 47 years now.”
— cencalmike.bsky.social -
M
They were called RECORD STORES - and back in the day you could meet your favourite Artist and they’d sign your album or single. PRINCE at Sam Goody - NYC in 1988
2 more of the top 3 · 160 posts in this stretch
-
In so calif, mecca was TOWER RECORDS on Sunset Blvd.
-
That is how I got this autograph in a Chicago record store
-
-
background
Michael Warburton posts Prince autograph photo from 1988 Sam Goody — A Bluesky user shared a photograph of Prince signing albums at a Sam Goody record store in New York City in 1988, framing it as a moment when record stores were places where fans could meet artists for signings.
What people are saying 20 voices from 1 site · best of 160 · verbatim
- Sep 22
-
Im so sad that my kids will never have this experience. Being in the record store for hours, trying to choose just one with your allowance, then getting home and listening to all the songs and reading all the inserts. Many albums included posters.
-
and you got to keep your records, physically. at your house. and read album jackets.
-
My manager and some bloke at our Sam Goody store in San Diego 1996
-
My first record store was in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio in 1952 or 1953. The store had test booths with 45 turntables so you could play what was available until you found what you wanted and then you bought it😊
-
Vouch ✋🏽 I met Chrissie Hynde & band, as well as Patti Smith & band — at a record store when I was a teen… I think Pretenders was at Tower Records/Hollywood, and Patti Licorice Pizza/Huntington Beach. Ahhhh, my callow queer youth!! 😁
-
I am originally from middle of nowhere so no record signings but took my high school job money twice a month to the record store. Smart guy there talked me into buying Berlin. I had never even heard of Lou Reed. ❤️❤️❤️
-
🖤🎶I used to practically live at Tower Records in NOLA back in high school. I had a couple of standees from there, too (The Cure’s Wild Mood Swings and Tori Amos Into The Pink).
-
He was already pretty famous by then - how cool of him to do this!
-
Met the Ramones in Pittsburgh at a record store during their first tour. They all signed the album I purchased, which I still own. 😎
-
I clearly went to the wrong Sam Goody back in the day.
-
And they had import bins, in which you could discover UK alternative bands not played on this side of the pond. Spent hours at Tower Records and later Zia Records, which was an early adopter of the used trade-in CD model.
-
Record and book stores were an important part of my life, that streaming services can’t quite replace. Not so much for the social aspect in my case, but more for the adventure of discovery. Finding something new.
-
Sam The Record Man. Toronto Ontario. Young Street.
-
Tower Records on Watt Ave! Rock stars played in the Parking Lot, girls, girls, girls, and ALL THE MUSIC you could consume. They were Happening Places, and more than a few people met their future mate there. Heavy sigh.
-
Back in the 70's I worked at a record store behind the tape counter. They knew I was also a photographer. They asked me to photograph artists as they came thru the store. They paid me for that part with all the albums I wanted. I was also there when Elvis died. Chaos ensued for that.
-
We didn't have Sam Goody, but we had this
-
I was 18. I've listened to Purple Rain more than any other album. From end to end. Or just a Single. Cassette or Digital download. Thousands of times. By far my favorite album.
-
OMG those were the days. We were dining with our grand nephew/niece and they disclosed how they have never been to a stadium concert and how few concerts they have attended. So sad. I’m still adjusting to their pronouns. I’m practicing.
-
G
I have never seen a photo of Prince where he didn't look awesome. I'd kind of like to see him look ordinary, even drab, just once. For variety.
-
Picked up an album and got home realised it was signed. Asked the shop, “he pops in now and then signs a few then leaves” No idea if it was true and the artist. Still got the record.