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Gate fold LP's??????

Axcel

Axcel

Accuphase all the way
Over the past 2 months I have been going thru a rather large collection (600)I purchased and noticed a large % approx 75% of the collection was gate fold. Mid 60's to late 60's seems everyone was a gate fold:scratch2: Just wondering if this is a fluke or has anyone noticed the same?
 
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Interesting. Another trend I've been reminded of lately was the late 70's - early 80's trend for European pressings to have really flimsy album jackets...sometimes the sleeves had sturdier cardboard.

The gatefold thing was probably a fad, sort of a monkey-see thing, like a little later when everyone had to have personalized labels once they managed to land a hit or two. Of course, that's speaking to the "Gatefold with one record" thing. If it was a double album release, then a gatefold is just logical.
 
This was back when vinyl ruled and IMO the music industry was not a big sell out. Bands put out quality stuff and there was a movement to create covers that were as good as the music. The gatefold added extra space for this creativity and room for info on the band and songs. Remember that listing to vinyl uses more than one sense. Yes you listen but you also get the added pleasure of reading the liner notes.
 
The gatefold albums of the 60' - 70's had a "use" for other than music and expression. Although not exclusively, you'll see its use (gatefold) primarily on music intended for the younger and hipper crowds.
Dont kid yourself into thinking the marketing types would let this slide.

I remember an interview where Robert Plant was asked where they got the artwork for their albums and why. He answered and went on to say that it was also good visual stimulus whilst cleaning your stash.


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Enoch Light was the first to put out gate fold albums on Command Records in about 1958. The new stereo sound technology required the additional space to explain, along with a description of each song and what to listen for. Thick vinyl with a deep, lush sound. I grab them every time I find one. Among them, "Bongos Bongos Bongos" , "Passionate Percussion" and "Persuasive Percussion". Very entertaining !
 
A lot of single disc albums had gatefold jackets. At that time, the cover designs were considered art. It also allowed the listing of additional pictures, information, lyrics, etc. You could read it without the aid of a magnifying glass.

Try that with a CD jewel case.:yes:
 
resound said:
I remember an interview where Robert Plant was asked where they got the artwork for their albums and why. He answered and went on to say that it was also good visual stimulus whilst cleaning your stash.


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Yep. The AR turntable dustcover worked great for this as well. Slid perfectly under the couch.:smoke:
 
Gatefolds also allowed for all the extra "stuff" they used to include. I have all sorts of posters, pictures, record lists, lyrics, even mini-booklets and the like that were inserted into the spare holder of a gatefold. Left the cover itself for things like bios, band members, and bizarre world philosophies.
 
Speaking of extra stuff, U2's No Line On The Horizon is so thick I couldn't get in a regular outer sleeve, so I put the extras in a 2nd sleeve. Even the triple LP double gatefold Yessongs album fits in a regular sleeve. If the trend continues I'll have to order some oversize sleeves!
 
Sansui Louie said:
Interesting. Another trend I've been reminded of lately was the late 70's - early 80's trend for European pressings to have really flimsy album jackets...sometimes the sleeves had sturdier cardboard.
Click to expand...

I think that went back a lot further than the late 70s. All of my Decca Phase 4 Stereo discs are in fairly flimsy sleeves, while their London counterparts might as well be encased in Masonite.
 
Bob Marley & the Wailers "Rastaman Vibration" even goes so far as to suggest using the gatefold cover for herb cleaning.

Who would have thought?
 
spartanmanor said:
This was back when vinyl ruled and IMO the music industry was not a big sell out. Bands put out quality stuff and there was a movement to create covers that were as good as the music. The gatefold added extra space for this creativity and room for info on the band and songs. Remember that listing to vinyl uses more than one sense. Yes you listen but you also get the added pleasure of reading the liner notes.
Click to expand...

Well said and I agree totally.
 
Of course competion soon resulted in the Tri-folds!! I've a few of those in my meger collection although which ones they are now escapes me.

Steve
 
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