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Obamas Inherit Sweet Record Stash

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

By Paul Stinson,  Newser User

Posted Jan 29, 2009 1:15 PM CST

(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 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.
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 Hunky Dory%u2014one of 200 rock records added to the presidential vinyl library by Rolling Stone reviews editor Bob Blumenthal.
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 The Family Who Prays is shown here.
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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
TerrifiedCitizen
Feb 3, 2009 8:44 PM CST
Digitize? Really? None of today's audio file formats will be usable decades from now. Vinyl will – and at a much higher, archival-quality fidelity.
TerrifiedCitizen
Feb 1, 2009 3:43 AM CST
Digitize!
TerrifiedCitizen
Jan 29, 2009 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?

If you want to tour more than the White House Record Library, start here
White House

More on what the president is listening to
Entertainment Weekly

 
Barack Obama • Rolling Stones • Jimmy Carter • Bob Dylan • Rolling Stone • Ronald Reagan • Talking Heads • Bruce Springsteen • The Carpenters • Ramones • Led Zeppelin • Sex Pistols • music review • presidential library • President Obama • Obama family • Pat Boone • John Denver

 
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