When I was 10-12 yr old kid, I listened to music broadcast on AM radio. We had a GE radio with short-wave capabilities, but only a single speaker. Whether it was Beatles, ABBA, or Beethoven's 5 symphony, I heard all these in mono AM broadcasting. My neighbors were music lovers too. One family owned a gramophone radio and played records to much of my amusements as well as delight. Another neighbor was crazy about Jim Reeves and I heard and learned lot more about Jim Reeves and other rock stars than myself. Another neighbor went out of his way to listen to Beatles.
I didn't know anything about stereo until I heard a cassette player/recorder boom box with two detachable speakers at another friend's home. His dad played the demo cassette and I still remember the shock and Awe! I had no idea I was listening to music in stereo for the first time! Knew nothing about Hi-Fi either.
Now that I am a grown up and still listen to Beatles, ABBA, Jim Reeves, and yes, have 5 different version of the Beethoven's 5th symphony. I listen to music in an expensive set up and any electronics that I heard as a young boy cannot hold a candle to the current set up. Many options to playback my favorite music including records, CDs, FM/HD radio, and yes cassettes too.
I asked the young boy, "Who do you think enjoyed the music most, you then or me now?" He smiled and replied "We both enjoyed music then and now." Man in the mirror also smiled and whispered, "Can't agree more."
