Old Records Never Die: One Man’s Quest for His Vinyl and His Past - Eric Spitznagel (Book)

Title: Old Records Never Die: One Man’s Quest for His Vinyl and His Past

Author: Eric Spitznagel

Date Published: April 21, 2016

Publisher: Plume

Category: Memoir / Music / Nostalgia

In Old Records Never Die, journalist Eric Spitznagel embarks on a heartfelt journey to reclaim his lost vinyl collection from his youth. Facing the cusp of middle age, Spitznagel feels a profound sense of loss—not just of his records, but of the freedom and identity they represented. Determined to reconnect with his past, he sets out to repurchase the exact albums he had sold years earlier, each record serving as a portal to a cherished memory.

This memoir intertwines humor and sentimentality as Spitznagel reflects on the significance of music in shaping personal history. The narrative delves into his relationships with friends and family, exploring how these connections were influenced by the soundtrack of his life. Critics have compared the book to Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, noting its exploration of music’s role in defining identity and its candid examination of midlife introspection.

Old Records Never Die resonates with readers who have experienced the ebb and flow of passion for music, offering a poignant reminder of how our favorite songs and albums become intertwined with our personal stories. It’s a celebration of the enduring power of music to connect us to our past and to ourselves.