When was the last time there was a line of people to buy a new album?

Tower in Japan opened at midnight to sell the Beatles 1+ collection.

I don't think anyone lines up for new music in physical format. They are too busy lining up for smartphones, games and Star Wars tickets

 

When was the last time there was a line of people to buy a new album?

Before you could easily buy a recording online. Once that happened, why wait on a line?

 

Last one I remember was 1991 and Metallica's black album.

 

Thankfully technology has gotten rid of this ritual. What a huge waste of time - standing in line waiting for something. I'd much rather have an email saying the album is ready for download or come home and have it waiting in my mailbox. If you guys like to stand in line, go out tonight and hang out in a black Friday line.

 

Yup I was there.

 

Only time I ever did was for the Beatles Anthology 1 at the local Tower in 1995. There was usually at least a few people there at midnight to buy new releases.

 

Midnight opening for Tracks at Wards Corner in Norfolk, Va. For Guns N Roses Use Your Illusion releases.

 

I think this ended around the same time people quit standing in line for concert tickets.

 

How some people can miss the ritual of waiting in a long line to buy a record ''or anything'' is beyond me, but apparently some do.

 

Yes, August 12 1991.
I was in line for that at midnight!
Big delusion for me after the very first listening.

 

Yup. I waited in line at the Virgin Megastore in Costa Mesa to get that one at midnight.

 

The last time I can remember people standing in line to buy physical media on the day of release was for a book - the final Harry Potter installment in 2007.

 

I've never waited in line to buy a record, but the only time I was in a record shop waiting for the truck to arrive was in Knoxville, TN, while going to school at UT. A bunch of us at The Last Record Store waiting to buy R.E.M.'s Murmur. When the truck got there, we all hung out and listened to the whole record in the store, then headed home with our copies. Good times.

 

On one of the Metallica DVDs (I think... or maybe the Behind The Music special?) there's footage of people lining up to buy The Black Album on release day.

 

Hey, at least you weren't standing in line for St. Anger.

 

Yup, Use Your Delusion, Tower Records, Seattle, Washington

 

I recall being out late one night 20 years ago hanging about Tower records on South Street in Philadelphia to purchase The Beatles Anthology Vol. 1. That was Thanksgiving week of 1995 and ABC TV was airing The Beatles Anthology . I really enjoyed the anticipation of a new Beatles album, the documentary and new a song.

 

Have you guys ever heard of Record Store Day?

 

Have you ever experienced RSD? Standing in line is overrated.

 

That is because stores were allowed to break street on that one. I got mine at Best Buy the day before release date. This was right after the napster controversy and I think the label wanted to make fans happier and prevent more leaks.

 

For me, I think it was Achtung Baby, by U2...,,

 

HMV opened at midnight in Dublin and Galway in 2009 for U2s no line on the horizon, don't know if there were Que's though.

 

I dunno.

Last time I waited in line for a new album release was Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy in March of '73.

WoooHoooo !!! What a party !

 

Yes, I know RSD but I can assure that here in Italy you can't see lines of people outside stores...

 

I always have fun on Record Store Day. Getting up early tomorrow to wait in line at the great 1234Go! in Oakland with a friend. We talk, laugh, drink coffee, and generally get a lot of enjoyment out of the event.