Jessie Frye, The TVD First Date

“When I was a little girl my mother would play classical piano and I would dance around the living room completely enthralled. She nurtured my love for music and listening to her vinyl collection is how I discovered many of my influences.”

“My first memory of vinyl is the self titled Black Sabbath record. The artwork was so haunting to me as a child. My mother was 13 when it came out. I remember her telling me that this specific record was rebellion to her and that it scared her to death, but something about it helped her find herself. It’s funny how similar my feelings were when I was listening to Marilyn Manson or NIN for the first time. I love sharing that connection with my mother.

Her extensive vinyl collection is a staple of my childhood. We would listen to her original copies of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bad until we wore them out. Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Led Zeppelin II also stand out in my mind. Every single record she owns is in pristine condition to this day.

I feel like it’s worth mentioning and will be appreciated that my mother played Type O Negative’s Bloody Kisses on cassette constantly as I was growing up. That record is a part of my soul!

I am a sucker for nostalgia myself, especially the glam rock era. I have a growing collection of T. Rex vinyl that I cherish very much.

There is an amazing local store here in DFW called Forever Young. It is this massive warehouse of vintage vinyl, new pressings, boxsets, and CDs. I bought The Cure’s boxset Join The Dots there and a few T. Rex records.

I am especially excited about my 1970 Japanese issue of T. Rex’s self titled on vinyl. I also purchased a copy Tanx by T. Rex that included an original poster from 1973.

Man, I can’t explain the feeling I get when I occasionally take it out to adore it (carefully!) Marc Bolan was such an inspiration for me. I feel so connected to his personality.