Classic albums of 50 years ago are driving strong sales of vinyl
REISSUES of classic albums by Queen were the best-selling vinyl records of 2020 at Guernsey’s only record shop.
This popularity reflected interest in the band’s Greatest Hits reissue across the UK as vinyl copies of classic albums flew off the shelves and accounted for many of the almost five million vinyl albums sold.
A report from the British Phonographic Industry reported that this was a record for the 21st century and the highest sales since the early 1990s.
Vinyl Vaughan owner Vaughan Davies said that the 1977 Fleetwood Mac album Rumours was also a popular choice on vinyl and in the UK it was the year’s top seller.
In addition, he said, people were buying vinyl by the likes of Oasis and The Beatles.
The BPI’s findings did not mean that new artists did not sell records, but the charts were dominated by the old albums, with 48 of the top 75 being reissues.
Mr Davies said he had seen a steady flow of younger music lovers coming to the shop to buy new pressings of classic albums.
‘We get young teens coming in here who are experiencing listening to jazz, blues, folk and country for the first time,’ he said.
‘It’s the artists that have been around for 50 years that are the key attraction. I don’t know if in 50 years you’ll still be buying Ed Sheeran or Little Mix.’
It was in 2016 that Mr Davies started selling pre-owned records at a pop-up shop in Fountain Street, the albums coming from the occasional sales held at Blanchelande College.
This became a permanent shop and in May last year Mr Davies opened a new one in the Commercial Arcade.
This has expanded to a second floor, which is where pre-owned albums are sold.
‘Vinyl is showing no signs of slowing down,’ said Mr Davies.
‘I think every town should have a record store because it’s a hub where people come in and chat about music.’
. The BPI reported that vinyl records now account for almost one in five of all albums sold in the UK.
Best-sellers on vinyl
1. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
2. Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
3. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
4. Nirvana – Nevermind
5. Harry Styles – Fine Line
6. Kylie Minogue – Disco
7. Queen – Greatest Hits
8. AC/DC – Power Up
9. Arctic Monkeys – Live at the Royal Albert Hall
10. Idles – Ultra Mono
Compiled by the BPI
