The Tragic Fate of Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow Vinyls in Today’s Thrift Stores

Introduction

When discussing vinyl records, the names Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow often stand out as the ones left behind, forgotten in collections or left in thrift store bins. This article explores why these popular artists from the past are so frequently left behind and other similar artists who suffer a similar fate.

Why Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow Vinyls End Up in Thrift Stores

The primary reason these artists' records end up in thrift stores is their sheer volume.

When it comes to buying and collecting vinyl records, why are Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow so frequently the lonely left behind records in a collection that no one ever seems to own?

Basically, the people who bought these records in the first place were your grandparents, and their tastes are not today's tastes. Millions of their records were sold, leaving a surplus that often finds its way to thrift stores and second-hand markets.

Overflow in Thrift Stores

When people donate their collections to Goodwill, or sell them to Half Price Books for a dime apiece, Goodwill is inundated with Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow records. Recently, I purchased 10 Manilow records at Goodwill because they were sealed. Out of the 10 records, I’ve managed to sell just one on eBay. Sealed records tend to attract many record collectors, but Barry’s records haven’t exactly been flying off my shelves lately!

Why Some Music Doesn’t Age Well

Not all pop music ages well. Classic rock records, particularly those in "Mint" shape, tend to age better. Thrift stores still have plenty of them, but fans of classic rock tend to hold onto their near-mint copies, deeming them collectible and worth keeping. Sometimes they are right!

The Quality of Music

One reason Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow records end up being "the lonely and left behind" is because the quality of their music is at best only so-so. Their hits may have temporarily satisfied the people who bought their records, but the lustre of the music faded pretty quickly.

A quick question: Of the hundreds of songs Barry recorded over the last 30 or more years, how many can you name? I can think of "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," and "Copacabana," but that's about it. As for Engelbert Humperdinck, I remember just "Release Me" and "The Last Waltz." What were your answers?

Other Artists Suffering the Same Fate

Engelbert Humperdinck and Barry Manilow are far from the only artists whose records can be grouped with "the lonely and left behind." There are many other recording artists whose records suffer a similar fate. Having rummaged through tens of thousands of thrift store records, many other recording artists' names pop up more frequently than others, but they are much too numerous to mention.

Consequently, I'll name only a handful:

Andy Williams
He's known for his smooth croon and classic hits, but his records often end up in thrift stores.

Johnny Mathis
A legendary crooner, his records don’t seem to hold the same allure as they once did.

Mantovani
His orchestral pop records are classic but not as sought after today as they were in the past.

Ray Conniff
Known for his innovative orchestration, his records are still collectible but are not as popular as they once were.

Mitch Miller
A pioneer of popular music, his records are still sought after by collectors but not as much as other artists.

Gene Pitney
His hit records are still notable but are not as frequently found in collections today.

Kenny Rodgers
While still a respected artist, his records don't seem to be as highly prized anymore.

Barbara Streisand
A powerhouse performer, her records are still collectible but are not as sought after as they once were.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
With their hit recordings, they are still remembered but not as prominently in today's music landscape.

Conclusion

I'm not entirely sure why Engelbert and Barry's names were chosen over others. There are many other recording artists whose records can be grouped with "the lonely and left behind." However, the fact remains that once popular artists often fall out of favor over time, leading to their records ending up in thrift stores.