Have someone on your list who still rocks out to the Beatles or Pink Floyd? Maybe a lost Doobie Brother, or a Jim Morrison fanatic? Well, a multitude of gifts exist for that special someone who wishes CDs were in the distant future and the Rolling Stones were still rolling instead of slowly moving their wrinkled carcasses.
Here are the best gifts for die-hard 60s and 70s rock fans, all under $30:
VINYL – Nothing stokes the nostalgia of a true rock and roll fan like getting a vinyl record in good condition. If the person you’re buying for already has a collection, possibly look to fill it out at all-vinyl.com. Based out of Georgia, All-Vinyl is the internet’s largest depository of vintage records. Many of the classic 45s and LPs can be had for under $30, from best sellers like the Beatles’ Help ($24) to more obscure titles like Moby Grape’s self-titled release ($24). They constantly update their inventory, so check back often.
FRAMES – If they don’t have a record player, why not frame a record and its accompanying artwork? Or, at least give them the frame so they might be able to take some of those old records out of the box and turn them into decorative items? Albumframes.com has six excellent solutions, depending on your needs. Based out of Illinois, they offer their easy-to-use frames at the low price of $12.95 each. So if your loved one has some old records they never play lying around, or you can find some cheap, this is a great, inexpensive way to polish up a recreation room or private space.
Well I hope this guide gives you some great gift ideas to check out for that special someone who loves to crank up the volume or mellow out to classic rock and roll!
ART – A variety of great sources exist on the internet for finding fantastic rock-and-roll themed artwork. Art.com has almost 1,000 prints specifically dealing with vintage rock and roll, most of which are under $30.00. My favorites? A movie poster for Martin Scorcese’s documentary The Last Waltz (11 x 17, $21.95) and a vintage poster for Steeley Dan Live at Whiskey A-Go-Go from 1972 (14 x 20, $21.95). For two other great options that specialize in unique concert posters, head over to Poster Planet (posterplanet.com), which has special sections devoted to the Who, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix, and ConcertPosters.com, which specializes in more recent rock.
CLOTHES – No rock and roll getup is complete without a great look, and Flyclothing.com can have you covered. With a variety of price ranges, they offer quality rock and roll themed shirts for the rebellious teenager inside some of us. Interesting choice? A wallet that looks like a Fender amplifier ($19.99). For a broader selection, albeit one geared more towards modern rock, check out Old Glory (oldglory.com), which has tee shirts for great bands like Cream, Velvet Underground, CSN, Genesis, and even the Alan Parsons Project. To really get the vintage look, check out RustyZipper.com, where you can buy actual clothes from the 60s and 70s (and 40s and 50s, for that matter) in sometimes-decent condition, usually with reasonable prices.
CDS/DVDS – Most classic rock CDs have already been converted to CDs, but there are still some new releases by old favorites. The Who come out with a new album and DVD in late October called Endless Wire, their first “new” one in over 20 years (only half the original band now remains); it will definitely be something to watch for. Among numerous new rock releases, Stevie Nicks, Alice Cooper, 10cc, and Rod Stewart are all releasing best-of albums soon, and the Kinks are releasing newer CD versions of some earlier albums, including 1972’s Everybody’s In Show Biz and 1979’s Low Budget.
CONCERT TICKETS – No, you’re not going to be able to get Rolling Stones tickets for under $30, but there are a lot of bands from the 60s and 70s still touring. Among the ones you can catch for cheap? The Little River Band ($13.50), The Ultimate Elvis Tribute ($10.00), Three Dog Night ($18.75 and up), Blue Oyster Cult ($27.50), and The Pink Floyd Experience ($22.50). They might not be Fleetwood Mac or Aerosmith, but in a day and age when Art Garfunkel gets $50 a pop to take the stage, seeing Blue Oyster Cult at $27.50 is worth every penny…and it sure would make fans happy this holiday season. Check out Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com) to see what’s playing and when.
