When it comes to collecting music what collectors may look for can vary. You get some collectors who are more than happy scouring op shops and markets for those hard to find CDs or even CDs that they just want to add to their collection.
Then there are others that are more likely to go for the more traditional form of music media – the vinyl record and cassettes. But going one step further than that are those that are in search of the elusive picture disc.
Many of you reading this will also know that Rue Morgue Records are also about to release their very own picture disc for the release of Murders In Rue Morgue Volume 1, but what exactly are they?
Well it may surprise you that picture discs have been around since 1910, however it wasn’t until the 1930s when they really took off though as record labels struggled to sell vinyl records during the time of the Great Depression. They were largely seen as a gimmick during this time but during the 1940s they resurfaced with Vogue Records producing a few that were basically clear vinyl with calendar style artwork as the imprinted image.
When it comes to more modern day artists one of the first picture discs was released in 1969. Made by a German company as a promotional compilation called Psychedelic Underground – Off 2 Hallucinations and it featured popular artists such as The Doors and MC5. That release was followed twelve months later by British prog rock band Curved Air then releasing their Airconditioning album as a picture disc.
Since then picture discs have remained rare enough to be collectable but have been fully embraced by record labels and artists alike. When it comes to the collectable side of picture discs there are a few releases that collectors love to have in their collections.
One of the biggest releases that collectors love to get their hands on is the 1978 compilation titled Elvis: Love Still Burningwhich was an eleven track picture disc that saw a number of musicians pay tribute to the King himself – Elvis Presley. TitledElvis: Love Still Burning the eleven track picture disc contained.
When it comes to picture disc collecting though it is not simply about collecting rare discs of past legends. Modern day artists have also jumped on board the picture disc train. In 2015 Icelandic popstar Bjork released a picture disc version of Vulnicura Live which was limited to 1000 copies and only available from Rough Trade Records. Such was the popularity of the item it sold out only two days into the pre-order period.
Picture discs are not just an item that the more obscure artists out there have used for releases either. The 1970s saw bands such as Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Boston and even The Beatles all release albums on picture discs, while some of the more collectable 1970s pictures discs include pressings of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album. Even Australia got involved with the picture disc fad during the 1970s with Farewell Auntie Jack being released by Grahame Bond and Rory O’Donaghue in 1973. It is believed that it was the first Australian release of a picture disc ever.
Even today picture discs are released every now and then. Artists as varied as Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Disturbed have all released picture discs in the past few years. While record labels have seen re-releases of classic albums such as Yellow Submarine by The Beatles and Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf put out into the market as well.
Perhaps the most collectable pictures discs though have been when Hollywood has embraced the technology. In 1980 Disney released a picture disc version of the classic Snow White And The Seven Dwarves soundtrack while in 1982 the brilliant soundtrack of E.T. which was composed by John Williams also found its way onto picture disc.
To some picture discs might just be a fad but to many music collectors they are something to be cherished. Whether it be an compilation produced by motor vehicle company Honda (yes it does exist) or a picture disc released by the likes of U2 or KISS these are something that no music collector should have missing from their collection.
Order the Rue Morgue Records Murders In The Rue Morgue Vol 1 Picture Disc