Music Gifts

Music Gifts have existed nearly as long as man. Early gifts were as simple as a wooden stick that made a particular sound when struck on another or even blown thru object. These items were highly valued because the tones represented messages to their followers. As time passed, clay figurines and busts became popular. These figures displayed early musicians and because they were handmade, they expressed both ornamental and sentimental value. Later versions included colorful painted examples displaying tribal and ancestral colors.

As new instruments were developed, new music gifts followed. Percussion, String, Woodwinds, Brass, the music instrument evolution was represented by music gifts every step of the way. Musicians  and music lovers relished the pleasure they received from giving, owning, and displaying gifts that they could personally identify with.

From early ceramics to printed posters, the music enthusiast could now show their passion with the wide array of music gifts available. This growth also attracted collectors interested in giftware for their personal collections. Even the fashion conscious consumer appreciated the apparel that developed in this industry. Today one can find a broad range of music gifts for any occasion or event. Areas of development include but not limited to Pins, Key chains, Jewelry, Watches, Apparel, Household, Posters, Figurines, Sculptures, Stationary, Bags and Totes, Magnets, Art, and Holiday Ornaments.

Show your love of music or just your interest in collectables, today there are music gifts for anyone interested. The largest music gift site on the web is www.albertsgifts.com. Here you can find thousands of music gifts for anyone’s preference. Get one for yourself and give one to a friend, you’ll fell better for it.

Today Virgin the parent company of Virgin Records made a small announcement that they are selling all 125 of their mega stores. The sale comes nearly forty years since Branson started the first Virgin shop in London and now he will hand over the chain to the Zavvi Entertainment Group, who purchased the 125 stores for an undisclosed amount.  

It appears at this time the new owners will continue to operate the locations.  They have not released which if any store closings will happen.

What does this mean for the music industry?

The popularity of online music stores such as I-tunes and Napster has for one cut the sales of albums in cd form. Also the numerous file sharing sites and music piracy has cut into the costs of selling albums. With more and more of the world becoming connected to the net and wireless it is forcing companies that run large music stores to close their retail locations and sell their products online either through cd quality downloads or from a single central warehouse, or close down all together.

One of these companies was Tower Records once a powerhouse in the music record stores, closed down in 2006.  In October of 2006 the company’s assets were liquidated and all of the once vast music empire was on its way out. The last of Tower Records was shut down on December 22, 2006.  Individuals have purchased many of the locations and re opened as single independent record stores.  The Tower.com site was also purchased and still operates.

Does this apply to everything in the music industry. I would have to say no. The biggest hits are in the large stores that sell the actual media cd’s and records.  As for other music related stores, many are either a single Brick and mortar store or Online. Some do both not wanting to miss out on any sales either from walk in customers or the online shoppers. 

Many stores like www.albertsgifts.com are a single online store that specialize in music gifts and accessories, To guitar center which run large music instrument stores and a web site as well. What is the future of these sites? My guess is they will continue to thrive and continue their success. 

Luciano Pavarotti the Italian operatic tenor of the postwar era, died Thursday in his home near Modena, Italy from pancreatic cancer, He was 71.

Luciano Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy, on Oct. 12, 1935. His father was a baker and an amateur tenor; his mother worked at a cigar factory. As a child he listened to opera recordings, singing along with tenor stars of a previous era, like Beniamino Gigli and Tito Schipa. He professed an early weakness for the movies of Mario Lanza.

As a teenager he followed studies that led to a teaching position; during these student days he met his future wife. He taught for two years before deciding to become a singer. His first teachers were Arrigo Pola and Ettore Campogalliani, and his first breakthrough came in 1961, when he won an international competition at the Teatro Reggio Emilia. He made his debut as Rodolfo in Puccini’s “Bohème” later that year.

In the ’70s He quickly established himself as the great operatic voice of his generation. he lived up to his nickname “King of the High Cs”. He devoted himself almost with single-mindedness to his serious opera career.

During the ’80s he expanded his fame with the Three Tenors projects, in which he shared the stage with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, making several world tours. Most agreed that it was Mr. Pavarotti’s charisma that made the Three Tenors such a success. The phenomenon only broadened his already huge audience.

The music and Opera community will miss this beloved Tenor.