Alphabe-Thursday is always a lot of fun for me. I try my best to come up with something that no one else has thought of, but I don't always succeed. "J" is kind of a toughie. I thought long and hard, and then I realized that the perfect "J" word was right in front of me all the time!!
JUKEBOX!!!
In 1889, one of the first "nickel in the slot" machines appeared in the Paris Royal Saloon in San Francisco. This creation of Louis Glass and William Arnold was made using an Edison phonograph in an oak cabinet. It was fitted with a coin mechanism, and the jukebox was born!
Unveiling of the first "nickel in the slot" machine in 1889
The now almost universal name for the juke box came out of the southeastern U.S. coast. A juke (also spelled "jook")is an African American word meaning a roadside tavern or bar that sells cheap drinks, food, and has dancing. "jukin'" meant to dance close in a very suggestive way--a lot of hip movement (grinding).
"Jukin'" at the juke joint!
In 1927, the Autmoatic Musical Instrument Company came out with their coin-operated record player. Juke joints couldn't always afford bands, so this jukebox was certainly the ticket for them!!
What would we do without neon? It made the jukebox a sight to behold! All those bright colors, and that sound the coin made when droped into the slot was a fascination for every one for many years. We got to choose our songs by punching a letter and a number on the "keyboard."
Rockola brand jukebox
Jukeboxes have changed a lot over the years, and now everyone who has a computer can own their very own jukebox! I have two! My latest can be found at the top of my right sidebar. Its name is Grooveshark, and I learned about it from Sue, at Sue's News, Views 'n Muse. I even put an oldie on it for your listening enjoyment! Check it out!! I'm sure it will bring back memories for some of you, and you don't have to have a nickel to listen to the song!
Next week's letter is "K," another challenging letter to be sure! I hope you'll come back to see what I come up with!!
33 comments:
Nothing makes a bar great like a high-quality jukebox, stuffed with good drinkin' music. And the music, like the patrons, must be 'of age,' meaning no songs that are less than 21 years old.
I like real jukeboxes - the one with records and stuff - though I've never one in person - it's too bad I can't have one at home.
it's not the same with computers, you cannot see the physical record.
have a lovely day.
Hi Judie,
You've got a Jennifer! How neat! And oh how I love jukeboxes!! They have a very special place in my heart and are a special memory...thanks for posting this!!!
XO
Cindy
Perfect post! Love jukeboxes! ...it was fun to learn more about hem!
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you for stopping by :o) ...I almost didnt get my post up this week, cuz blogger was "acting up"!
Jukebox turned out to be a great idea, Judie! I had no idea where the word cam e from. I'm amazed that they date back to 1889!
I love your J topic! I must say I miss the old ones before everything was computerized. Lovely history lesson!
Hey I've been to a few of those Juke Joints myself!:D
We had two jukeboxes at one time. The hubby had one for entertaining himself in his man cave, and one in the garage for spare parts. They were from the early 70's. Now my brother-in-law has a real old Rockola, unfortunately it doesn't play anymore. It's just a giant dust catcher.
Great "J" post Judie!
What an amazing J ... talk about a trip down memory lane ...
Your posts are always so fun to read. I learn so many random facts about things I never would have thought of myself :)
I'm not too familiar with jukeboxes since most of the places I've been to growing up weren't exactly jukebox spots. I do love the mini versions that they at each booth in those 50s themed restaurants like "Johnny Rockets".
You're a 'jenius' to come up with jukebox. I've always wanted one, but they're priced out of my stratosphere. I remember going to the pizza joint and diner and putting a quarter in to play 3 songs. LOVELY!
Those fish up top are an interesting combo of cool and a little creepy. :)
Great post! My father tells me he used to have a real beauty of a jukebox. He had to sell it but still remembers it fondly. There's computer programs that can imitate it but nothing beats the original.
I loooove jukeboxes. They have such charisma. I haven't seen that much in real life, but I can recall that my grandad had one when I was very little ^_^.
Hope you're well!!
Xoxoxo
I always love reading your post Judie, and I remember the jukebox well. Very few restaurants still have it, and the ones on the table completely disappeared!
We used to have this little hole in the wall we frequented when we were younger. I loved stuffing that jukebox full of coins while my husband busied himself playing pool with the boys. And then we'd sit there with our frosty mugs of beer, singing along to those tunes.
A song always sounds better on a jukebox.
So sorry I haven't been around, Judie. The Internet has been calling, but the kids' clamoring has drowned out the blog world. This upcoming week we go on vacation and when I get back, I hope to do some proper catching up.
aaahhhh, memories of the jukebox. kids these days just don't know what they missed out on.
ps: I fed your fish, they were mighty hungry. :)
Jukeboxes were an all-around work of art for sure! I will definitely be back for "K." I learn more great stuff here.
That Rockola is wonderful - and worth a bundle too.
The Alphabe-Thursday would always throw me. As soon as someone says "think of something beginning with the letter----," I go blank!
I love Jukeboxes and once had three in my house at one time! Oh, the memories...Such innocent times and so much fun!
Thanks for the tunes from your Jukebox, great J! I alway senjoy what you share :-)
There is a little diner near my house that has a jukebox. I'm not sure that the food is all that great, but I love going there to play the jukebox! The servers all wear old fashioned waitress costumes and have fake name tags with names like "Flo" and "Doris".
It's awesome...
I love jukeboxes! Great "J" post!!!
Hi again Judie!
Love this ‘J’ post! And thanks for stopping by!
Have a great weekend & look forward to *seeing* you again next time,
XOXO LOLA:)
I love the old fashion jukeboxes... you don't see many of them anymore:-)
Wow, I remember the jukebox -so much fun! :)
Put another nickel in ...in the nickel...How cool is this post! My 3 year old grandson and I were in a cafe with one of these jukeboxes, he was just fascinated with it...Gramma what's this? he loved the flashing lights too...this is an era that should be in more places! Very cool post Judie! If Danny Jr. could read, he'd love it too! Bring back the Jukeboxes! Oh yeah!
What's not to love about the letter "J"? I really like the jukebox widget. I'll have to check it out.
This post is worth dancing to. Jukeboxes are so much fun. Thanks for the info/history. I didn't know any of that. I love 50's style diners because of the little jukeboxes on the tables.
xoRobyn
Aww...I grew up around Juke Boxes. Think mining towns.... I also worked in some of them 'Juke Joints'and dropped many a quarter in them. We use to play a dice game to see who would have to play the next dollars worth of songs. And do you know of the 'red quarters' used in the bars? Oh what fun memories, thanks!!
Remember when some restaurants had little juke boxes at every table? I haven't seen a real juke box for years.
Really cool J post! I used to love checking out the music on the juke boxes when I was little!
Love this post!
Whenever we watch American Pickers and they find an old jukebox my husband and I get really enthused.
Definitely a part of culture that evokes memories of "way back when" from so many of us!
Thanks for an interesting post, Miss Judie. You always surprise us!
A+
informative.
smiles.
what a fun term.
Hey,
I love this post. Juke boxes hold a special place in my heart. And even though computers are amazing, there's nothing like putting some coins into a slot and hearing music come out the overhead speakers. Or even more fun, the juke boxes at the old diners right at the table!
very interesting. Of course I remember juke boxes. Sometimes each booth table at a restaurant had one.
Now I know their origin!
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