The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds Ep020: Bootleg Records Special Part 2: Mike the Mic, Stephen Coates & X-Ray Audio
Feb 18, 2016
Stephen Coates, a musician and author, dives into the captivating world of bootleg recordings. He shares the remarkable story of Mike Millard, a 70s bootlegger who recorded legendary concerts. The discussion reveals how music lovers in the Soviet Union turned to X-ray film to preserve forbidden tunes, defying harsh censorship. Coates highlights the sacrifices made for music under oppressive regimes and paints a vivid picture of the underground culture that flourished despite adversity. Unearth the hidden treasures of music history with tales of resilience and creativity!
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Discovering X-Ray Audio
- Stephen Coates discovered X-ray records in a Russian flea market.
- This sparked his research into Soviet-era bootlegging.
X-Ray Records Explained
- X-ray records were made on used X-ray film due to material availability and disposability.
- These bootlegs contained forbidden Western and Russian music.
Soviet Suppression of Bootlegs
- Soviet authorities attempted to suppress the spread of x-ray records from 1950 onwards.
- Bootleggers and dealers faced imprisonment for their involvement.
