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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 GLOSSIES 
7

Obamas Inherit Sweet Record Stash

White House album collection contains landmarks from Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles

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(Newser) – President Obama’s new digs not only grant him access to chefs and a bowling alley, but an LP stash that includes Led Zeppelin IV and the Ramones’ Rocket to Russia, Rolling Stone reports. Banished to the basement during the Reagan years, the White House vinyl vault contains Obama favorites including Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run and Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks.

Although updated for the “hipper” Carter administration by a rock critic to include classics from the Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Talking Heads, the White House Record Library’s Nixon-era origins started off on a decidedly different note: The record industry’s initial 1973 donation of nearly 2,000 albums was heavy on Pat Boone, John Denver and the Carpenters.

Bob Dylan's
Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" was just one of 200 rock albums added to the library during the Carter era. The library also includes Isaac Hayes, Neil Young and Barry Manilow.   (Flickr © Melissa_Smith)
Two fans show their fondness for David Bowie's
Two fans show their fondness for David Bowie's "Hunky Dory"%u2014one of 200 rock records added to the presidential vinyl library by Rolling Stone reviews editor Bob Blumenthal.   (Flickr © boo d)
A record companies' trade group expanded the White House library in 1973 to include music, including heavy doses of the Carpenters and Pat Boone, whose album
A record companies' trade group expanded the White House library in 1973 to include music, including heavy doses of the Carpenters and Pat Boone, whose album "The Family Who Prays" is shown here.   (Official Pat Boone website)
Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha greet Bruce Springsteen at an outdoor rally in Cleveland, Nov. 2, 2008.
Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha greet Bruce Springsteen at an outdoor rally in Cleveland, Nov. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Bruce Springsteen performs to tens of thousands of people in Philadelphia at a free outdoor concert in support of then presidential candidate and Springsteen fan Barack Obama.
Bruce Springsteen performs to tens of thousands of people in Philadelphia at a free outdoor concert in support of then presidential candidate and Springsteen fan Barack Obama.   (AP Photo)
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7 comments
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Newser001
Jan 29, 09 2:06 PM CST
Very cool! One would think the White House sound system for vinyl is off the hook! Reply
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NutsInNY
Jan 29, 09 3:06 PM CST
Phew, too much white music even for my tastes... ((Oops, did I say that out loud?)) Reply
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anchower
Jan 29, 09 4:25 PM CST
Obama seems like an iPod type to me. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
NutsInNY
Jan 29, 09 7:56 PM CST
Which type?... The type that listens to their iPod on speakers at home? Or an iTard, the type that never goes outside without their white earbuds and sunglasses, hiding from the world?
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SPH
Jan 29, 09 7:23 PM CST
Reagan put all this great music in the basement?,,,,What a putz. Reply
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