It's time to drop the needle and reminisce.

In honor of Record Store Day, I want you classic rock fans to tell us your greatest vinyl record moment.

As someone who was born in 1972 I am fortunate enough to say I was able to experience the vinyl record era before it eventually transitioned into the cassette era. For me, the greatest vinyl record moment also happens to be the most pivotal rock 'n' roll moment in my life.

It was sometime around 1979. Tom Scricca, a neighborhood friend of my older brothers Chad and Marty, was a huge KISS fan. He talked about KISS all the time. He use to play his KISS records for us whenever we were over his house.

Now my memory is somewhat fuzzy so I don't remember if Tom decided to replace all his old KISS records with new vinyl copies or he got them on eight-track or cassette instead. That I can't recall. What I do recall was the day he came up to me one afternoon with a stack of KISS records and said, "Here ya go. These are my KISS records. You can have them."

The first record on the pile was KISS "Alive II". I was blown away by what I saw: A menacing demon-like character with blood dripping off his chin, a pretty boy with a star painted over his right eye, a space man looking, well, spaced out, and a man in cat makeup who appeared as if he just took a hit of cat tranquilizer. I needed to see more so I opened the gatefold. There was the band in all their glory, levitated above the stage surrounded by fire and explosions.

I headed straight for my house and dashed right into my brother's bedroom where the record player was. I opened the sleeve, pulled out that big beautiful black circle and carefully dropped the needle on side one, album one. From the crackle of the needle to the bombastic "You wanted the best, you got the best" intro into the classic "Detroit Rock City" I was hooked.

That was it. That was the moment that turned me on to rock 'n' roll.

Here are a few shots of that KISS album along with a, shall we say, less pivotal vinyl record moment in my life:


Kiss Alive II
The first album I set my eyes on: KISS "Alive II" / Eric's Phone Camera
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KISS "Alive II" (Inside)
KISS "Alive II" (Inside Gatefold) / Eric's Phone Camera
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Andy Gibb "Shadow Dancing"
Ah yes. Andy Gibb "Shadow Dancing". One of my older brothers bought this album but I can't remember which one. I suppose it's best I don't expose either one of them anyway. / Eric's Phone Camera
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I'd love to hear your favorite vinyl record moment so post your stories below and don't forget to go to RecordStoreDay.com to find a record store near you.

P.S. I ran into Tom Scricca recently. He was on a bike ride through the old neighborhood with his little daughter. I pulled up along side the road and rolled down the window to say "hello". What was the first thing we talked about? Ace Frehley's new solo album. Some things never change. Rock on Tommy.




EXPERIENCE KISS "ALIVE II" ON VINYL:




You can listen to Eric Senich live on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm on 95.1 FM. You can also listen online by clicking here or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.

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