Tony Mignone in his Park Slope Record Store

Happy National 8-Track Day!

By
Sarah Hayley Barrett
WNYC News | Apr 11, 2014

April 11 is National eight-track tape day. There are no traditions, and everyone still has to go to work, but today is a day to celebrate (commemorate?) the eight-track tape.

The plastic cartridges play songs on a loop and were popular in the 1960s. By today's standards, the technology is quaint — they pre-date the ability to fast-forward or rewind, and they break very easily.

Eight-tracks are nearly impossible to find these days, but one store — Fifth Avenue Record Shop in Park Slope — still has a wall stocked with the relics. Tony Mignone, the shop owner, has been in the music business since 1968. He said he remembers when eight-tracks were his staple.

Mignone said he didn't know it was National Eight-Track Day. "Crazy," he said. "Who wants to know about eight-tracks anymore?" 

Eight-track tapes for sale at Fifth Avenue Record Shop in Park Slope. (Sarah Hayley Barrett for WNYC)

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Sarah Hayley Barrett

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