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8-Track Guy

@8trackguy

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Trackin’ down my heroes to bless my vintage 8-track tapes. 📼 ✍️

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Sir Elton John seemed to be in awe of the strange relic I presented him with at a concert a few years ago. "Eight-track? Wow!" he said before signing my copy of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road from the stage. An incredible moment I’ll never forget. 🚀🎹 #tbt #rocketman #8track #autograph #eighttrack #8tracktape #elton #eltonjohn #8tracks #8trackguy by @8trackguy

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10 years ago

Stoked to share my retro obsession & stories with the Dallas Observer! 🔗 in bio.

#8tracks #autographs #vintagemedia #collector #retrovibes #vintage #8tracktapes #8trackguy #eighttrack #eighttracks #musichistory #nostalgia #dallas #texas #music #classicrock #throwback by @8trackguy

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2 years ago

I never thought I’d ever get my favorite Beatle to sign an 8-track. Or any Beatle for that matter. But at a show in Dallas in 2014, after the encore, Sir Paul McCartney motioned for me to toss him my Revolver cartridge over the security moat. That’s my tape in his right hand. He walked off, said goodbye to the crowd, signed the tape and threw it right back to me. Almost ten years later, I’m still in shock. Shoutout to the random guy on YouTube who filmed the whole thing! #8track #8tracktape #autograph #eighttracktape #8tracktapes #eighttrack #beatles #thebeatles #paulmmccartney #macca #revolver #8trackguy #60smusic #britishinvasion #1960s #vintage by @8trackguy

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3 years ago

Got a little mail back from Grace Slick, which is not a sentence I ever expected to type.

For the uninitiated: Grace was the voice of Jefferson Airplane, then Jefferson Starship, and one of the defining voices of the San Francisco psychedelic era. White Rabbit. Monterey Pop Festival. Woodstock. Later, Starship and “We Built This City,” which I’ll defend as a banger until I die.

For those who know: GRACE FUCKING SLICK!!

Ridiculously cool. Total babe. I sent her this Surrealistic Pillow 8-track, and she was kind enough to sign it and send it back. Pretty damn nice addition to the collection.

And yes, the woman who sang “Somebody to Love” signed my tape “Love, Grace Slick.” Perfect.

Love you right back, Grace. Keep on trackin’!

#graceslick #jeffersonairplane #autograph #8trackguy #8track by @8trackguy

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11 days ago

Being a Joe Jackson fan is kind of like being a member of a secret society. There aren’t billions of us, but the membership is strong.

His first two albums, Look Sharp! and I’m the Man, both released in 1979, are still my favorites. They’re packed with tight songwriting, big energy, great hooks, and the kind of wit and attitude to make ‘em feel fresh nearly 50 years later. They’re New Wave records, but they borrow just as much from pub rock, power pop and old-school R&B.

I caught Joe’s show in Dallas this week. It was, of course, a blast. He was kind enough to sign for me again, but wasn’t in the mood for photos, so I’m recycling one from a few years ago.

You’ll always be the man, Joe. Keep on trackin’.

#joejackson #8track #autograph #eighttrack #8trackguy by @8trackguy

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4 months ago

There’s a lot to unpack in this image, so let’s roll it back…

This is an 8-track copy of the soundtrack to the 1987 film La Bamba. By then, 8-tracks were basically on life support, with most late releases only showing up through record clubs. But La Bamba was massive, so the soundtrack came out on everything: vinyl, cassette, CD … and somehow, 8-track. Most of the music was handled by Los Lobos, covering Ritchie Valens classics, including the title track.

I found this tape years ago in a yard sale box full of random 8-tracks and kept it around hoping I could someday get it in front of the band. A few weeks ago, as Los Lobos closed the show with “La Bamba,” I worked my way up to the stage and held it up. Guitarist and singer David Hidalgo looked over, smiled and went, “8-track!” before grabbing my gold marker and adding a quick little “DH.” You’ll have to look closely but it’s there!

Your move, Lou Diamond Phillips.

Thanks, David. Keep on trackin’!

#loslobos #labamba #8track #autograph #8trackguy by @8trackguy

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4 months ago

Elton John. Tower Records Los Angeles. 1974.

In the 8-track tape section, just taking it all in.

Legend has it he’d even show up early to shop before they opened.

Including my signed copy of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road because… had to.

Anyone else remember the Tower Records on Sunset? I used to go all the time in the early 90s.

#eltonjohn #8track #towerrecords #8trackguy #sunsetboulevard by @8trackguy

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5 months ago

Pretty sure Steve Perry from Journey signed his fair share of 8-track tapes in 1978. Say the word and I’ll send one your way, @steveperrymusic🪲🪐 #dontstopbelievin by @8trackguy

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6 months ago

“Fresh” ink from R&B royalty Robert “Kool” Bell, founding member and last surviving original of Kool & The Gang.

Jungle Boogie. Ladies Night. Get Down On It. Certified cultural artifacts.

If you’ve been to a wedding in the past 50 years, you’ve heard at least 3–4 Kool & The Gang songs. Probably back-to-back. And if you listen to hip-hop, you’ve heard them there too. They’re one of the most sampled bands of all time.

A few years ago, I had backstage passes and met the band. Original drummer George Brown and sax player Khalis Bell were there, but no Kool. Kool & The Gang without Kool? Felt illegal. Both George and Khalis have since passed, and I’m grateful I got that moment with them.

I finally crossed paths with the man himself and had him sign my Celebrate! 8-track. You’ve gotta look close, but the auto is there: K… o… o… l.

An honor to add this one to the collection. Long live the groove.

#koolandthegang #8track #autograph #8tracktape #8trackguy by @8trackguy

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8 months ago

First, an incredible show. Then David Byrne, who famously bikes to his gigs, pedals up after and goes “Hey, bonus points for the 8-track!” before signing mine. Truly insane.

#davidbyrne #talkingheads #8track #autograph #eighttracktape #talkingheads77 #8trackguy #1977 #vintagemedia #70s #classicrock #8tracks #8tracktapes #eighttrack by @8trackguy

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10 months ago

Got to see Peter Frampton the other night: guitar god, talk box wizard and the man behind one of the best-selling live albums of all time.

He’s facing some health challenges, but you’d never know it from the way he plays. His tone, his voice … all still right there. Sounded just like he does on Frampton Comes Alive, almost 50 years later.

When he played Lines on My Face, my all-time favorite, I got chills. Hearing it live, at this stage in his life and career, felt like a full-circle moment.

Naturally I brought an 8-track with me, not sure if I’d get the chance to have it signed. But somehow, it happened.

There’s something awesome about watching someone do what they were born to do, even when it’s not easy anymore. Thanks, Peter, for reminding all of us what love of the music really looks like.

#peterframpton #framptoncomesalive #8trackguy #guitargod #talkbox #classicrock #eighttrack #8tracktape #8track #autograph #1977 #iminyou #8tracks #humblepie #70smusic #vintagemedia by @8trackguy

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a year ago

Happy 80th to comedy legend Steve Martin!

One time I dressed up as 1978 Steve, and it caught the attention of his Steep Canyon Rangers bandmates. Next thing I know, they’re helping me get my 8-track copy of Let’s Get Small signed by the man himself. Absolutely unreal, and now one of the most prized cartridges in my collection.

Keep on trackin’, Steve! 🪕

#stevemartin #8track #autograph #eighttrack #8trackguy #letsgetsmall #1977 #comedy #comedian #happybirthday #8tracks #8tracktape #eighttracktape by @8trackguy

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a year ago