Local author turns back the radio dial
- Ron Giofu
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
A local author has published his latest book, and instead of a mystery, it’s a look back at the music he enjoyed as a youth.
John Schlarbaum has written “Music Virgin No More – Confessions Of A Young Record Collector (1979 – 1982),” a new book that he says takes readers back over 40 years to a golden age of Top 40 AM Radio.
“The new book is really a 45-year-old journey through songs from 1979 and 1980 when I was 12 or 13-years-old when I was collecting records and albums,” he said.
With a nod to Top 10 and Top 15 lists that were published in that era, a young Schlarbaum started compiling Top 10 and Top 15 lists of his own. He said they not only reflect his own personal journey as a young record collector, they “chronicle an era that can be viewed week-to-week in real time through Top 15 singles, Top 10 albums and Top 15 group rankings.” He said the songs became the “soundtrack” to his life as he entered high school and beyond.
With his father’s Smith Corona typewriter, Schlarbaum compiled his lists which, at the time, were for his eyes only. Some songs and albums would rise on the lists, others would fall while some joined the lists or dropped off.
“The book is also a memoir of growing up in a small town that didn’t have a record store and how music affected my life as a youth,” he said.
Growing up in West Lorne, Schlarbaum said the nearest record stores were either in London, Chatham or St. Thomas and would ask his father to pick up his record of choice when he was headed to one of those cities. Schlarbaum gave his father money through his job as a London Free Press carrier and his dad would return with the latest and greatest music.
“I think people who lived in Amherstburg in the late 70’s and early 80’s will relate to what I’m writing about,” he said.
Schlarbaum compiled 106 weekly lists from August 1980 to August 1982 and did yearly lists up until 1990.
“I know what album I was playing on my 15th birthday in 1981 because I can look up my chart,” he said. “These one-of-a-kind charts are as significant to me as re-reading a diary decades later. They are like a time machine – every page evokes fond memories of a simpler world during a vibrant period in music history.”
Schlarbaum added 45 years later, he is still enjoying much of the same music he did back in that era.
Schlarbaum and friend Jason Cabanaw have launched a podcast entitled “Music Virgins No More,” which is available on most podcast apps, and the author said his new book is a companion piece to that. Cabanaw is 20 years younger than Schlarbaum and they discuss music from the 1980’s.
“Each show we review a chart, spotlight songs and artists, and then debate the merits of the music that became an important part of my generation,” said Schlarbaum.
The book is $15 and available through Amazon or locally at the River Bookshop or Vintage & Vinyl.
“If nothing else, people can use my charts to create a fabulous 1980’s playlist for their own enjoyment,” said Schlarbaum.
Local author turns back the radio dial
By Ron Giofu