The beginning of the ride...........

I first started collecting videos in 1985. I bought my first VCR (a 2 head Fisher) for $450 in January 1985. Back then, you could get a Fisher 4 head VCR for $500, but I figured 2 heads was good enough. I also bought my first blank VHS tape at the same time. A Panasonic Super HG for $12! Believe it or not, I still have that tape and it still records just fine! The Fisher is long gone....in fact, I've probably gone through 6 or 7 VCRs since then, maybe even more! Anyway, back to videos. I remember taping MTV Closet Classics for a while (always in the EP mode so I can get SIX hours on a tape instead of a lousy 2 hours in SP!). Then, since I was also a record collector at the time, I looked in the ads in GOLDMINE magazine to see if anybody had any cool videos for sale. Lo and behold I hit paydirt! The first guy I ever got things from was KEN DIXON from Ohio. When I got his first list I almost pee'd my pants. UPBEAT? GO GO MANIA? HULLABALOO? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Did I die and go to heaven? OH MY GOD, I MUST GET THESE! So I called Ken and since I didn't have anything to trade, he charged me mininal fees for copies......probably about $10 per tape. WOW! When I got those tapes, they brought me back 20 years. Yeah, the quality wasn't THAT great, but SO WHAT! I was watching clips I remember seeing on TV back when I was a kid! I was in heaven.........then I kept checking GOLDMINE ads for other collectors or dealers. Then I struck gold again. MARK ROSEN from New Paltz, NY. I contacted him and we set up a trade. I didn't have another VCR to copy so I had to rent one from USA VIDEO, a video rental store in town. I think they charged about $20 per day and a $200 (maybe more?) deposit in case anything happened to the VCR. (Ahhhhhhhh, the good ol' days, huh?) Well, Mark and I traded and a friendship started that lasted several years (until he "retired" - hint: wife made him stop). Then I REALLY hit the big time when I got in contact with PETER ABRAM. Even though Peter wasn't happy with the first stuff I sent him in trade, he still let me keep the tape he sent me. THANKS, PETER.....you're the one who REALLY got me into this crazy hobby! I quit record collecting and focused on videos full-time and haven't looked back. Peter and I are still friends and still trade to this day. If you're into videos like I am, or just starting out even........look up Peter and get some videos from him! Don't call him (and don't call me, either)......we're not looking for phone pals, but if you want the BEST videos (or DVDs) around.........Peter and I will get your collection going with a BANG!
Anyway, I got off subject a little.........it's now been over 20 years since I got that first VCR. I've made some great friends along the way (Ben, Mike, Tom A, Tom K, Peter, Doug, John F, and MANY MORE) and I've lost some along the way as well (Bob L, Terry P, Mark R, Billy M) but life goes on. I'm happy! I never EVER in my wildest dreams thought I would have the collection that I do. I now deal in VHS tapes AND DVD-R. For those of you who still have the VHS tapes........I highly recommend you get into the digital format....DVD. The quality is better, they last longer, and they don't take up the room that tapes do (except in my and Tom K's place....right Tom? HA HA HA).
It's been a fun ride........a wild and crazy ride (there's a few nutcases out there, just like any hobby).........and I hope it continues for many more years to come.
Now, LET'S FIND THOSE HIDDEN MASTER TAPES IN THOSE CLOSESTS, BASEMENTS, GARAGES, ATTICS, OR WHEREVER! Not everything has been erased (though lots of cool stuff has) but there are LOTS left to be un-earthed! KEEP HUNTING!!