1981 Yamaha

Yamaha was established in 1887 as a piano and reed organ manufacturer by Torakusu Yamaha as Nippon Gakki Company, Limited Nippon Gakki Seizō Kabushiki Gaisha?)(literally Japan Musical Instrument Manufacturing Corporation) in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture and was incorporated on October 12, 1897. The company’s origins as a musical instrument manufacturer is still reflected today in the group’s logo—a trio of interlocking tuning forks.

After World War II, company president Tomiko Genichi Kawakami repurposed the remains of the company’s war-time production machinery and the company’s expertise in metallurgical technologies to the manufacture of motorcycles. The YA-1 (AKA Akatombo, the “Red Dragonfly”), of which 125 were built in the first year of production (1958), was named in honor of the founder. It was a 125cc, single cylinder, two-stroke, street bike patterned after the German DKW RT125 (which the British munitions firm, BSA, had also copied in the post-war era and manufactured as the Bantam and Harley-Davidson as the Hummer. In 1959, the success of the YA-1 resulted in the founding of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia

1979 Record Vacuum

Although effective, vacuum record cleaning machines have been quite expensive. In the late ’70s the Keith Monks machine from Britain was introduced, making it the first of the vacuum machines to appear. However, selling at over $2500.00, it was beyond the reach of most audiophiles. In 1980 Harry Weisfeld at VPI developed a low cost alternative to the Monks machine. His design employed a far simpler, yet equally effective, approach to the problem. This machine has been refined over the years into what is known today as the HW 16.5. Thousands have been sold world-wide, to a broad range of satisfied users. Individual collectors, audiophiles, music libraries, record stores and radio stations have all realized the practical benefits of owning such a machine.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia

1986 Aled Jones An Album of Hymns

Aled Jones (born 29 December 1970) is a Welsh singer and television/radio personality, broadcaster and television presenter (Escape to the Country and Cash in the Attic) who first came to fame as a treble (the highest vocal range). He is notable for presenting Songs of Praise on BBC 1, BBC Radio 2’s The Early Breakfast ShowGood Morning Sunday and The Choir on BBC Radio 3.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia

Xmas 1987 – Best of UB40

UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world’s best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.

Their hit singles include their debut “Food for Thought” and two U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number ones with “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band’s version of “I Got You Babe”.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia