Music Moments

Crate Digging with the World's Top Vinyl Record Collectors

For some, the thrill of finding an original pressing of an obscure bossa nova record is not far off from winning the lottery. Crate digging in a record store or a yard sale can yield some pretty incredible finds to add to your collection.

Robert Crumb in his study in southern FrancePhotography: Thibault Montamat

A 78 r.p.m. Vinyl Collecting Cartoonist / Robert CrumbUnderground cartoonist Robert Crumb has over 8,000 78 r.p.m. records, including rarities from the 1920s and 1930s. He believes that vernacular music is humanity’s greatest creation. His passion for music is evident in his art. He draws on inspiration from his interest in blues, country, bluegrass, cajun, French Bal-musette, jazz, big band and swing. His study in his medieval chateau in France houses his vinyl collection alongside his desk, drawing board, pens and pencils. An old 78 record player occupies a prestigious position in the room. Crumb says that, “Music is the soul of human society. It’s something to do with the ear, how we respond to sound, it’s very deep – deeper even than the visual response, it’s something to do with how we respond to harmonic sound, that it can reach something so deep in us.”

Carl Cox with his record collation at his home in Melbourne

The DJ / Carl CoxInspired by his father’s funk and soul record collection while he was growing up in Northern England, Carl Cox bought his first vinyl record in 1976. It was by Brass Construction, a 12 piece band with a raw, funky sound that later became his trademark as a pioneering DJ in the house music scene of the 1980s. Since then, Carl has amassed over 150,000 records, which he stores in a triple garage in Melbourne, Australia. The collection is ordered chronologically, starting in 1968. Although tech innovation may have paved the way for some DJs to go digital, Carl Cox is a vinyl stalwart who has been known to use three turntables. He says, “I’d have records under my armpits, one hanging out my mouth, one over there…”

Brad Miocevich’s glass library for vinyl collection of 30,000 plus recordsPhotography: Brad Miocevich

Aussie Glass Library / Brad MiocevichWhen avid vinyl record collector Brad Miocevich bought a 30,000 piece collection from his local Perth radio station, he had a moment where he thought, “What have I done?!” The sheer size of the collection was more than he anticipated. So, he did what any die-hard vinyl enthusiast would do. He built a record library… but not just any library. The three-story structure houses eight-and-a-half tons of vinyl, and contains 300 meters of shelving around 150mm-thick concrete walls, with mezzanine floors and spiral staircases modeled after Perth’s State Library.

Order in Chaos / John PeelBBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel championed some of the world’s most influential bands. Joy Division, Pink Floyd, The Ramones, and Led Zeppelin were all given a shot on Peel’s airwaves. When the Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” was banned by the BBC, he played it anyway, claiming that it was “all a fuss about nothing.” His vinyl record collection (120,000 albums, 12 inch and 7 inch singles) was meticulously archived at “Peel Acres,” his home in Suffolk, UK. Though you might not think so, by the look of his music room.

XTC “No Thugs in Our House” original 7 inch single

It’s never been easier to start or build up a vinyl collection to spin on your Wrensilva. For a one-stop–shop of information and purchasing options,Discogsis the place.