Music Memorabilia

I don't know if memorabilia is actually the right word but here's some various fun music-related things that I own because I enjoy collecting them featuring some of the stories behind them.

Donny & Marie '45 box

So in the town where my older brother goes to college, there's this one very interesting record store that I only get to visit every so often. The place is in this huge old building, is run by this old couple with at least 5 dogs roaming around, and perpetually smells like... well things that aren't legal back home let's just say. But I love this place. I have found records there that I haven't seen anywhere else such as my UK import of Confessions of the Mind + many other Hollies albums. Anyway, in this area off to the side they have thousands of '45s and next to it is a table with a bunch of '45 boxes. One day I see a Donny & Marie box among them. I think it's funny at the time but decide not to buy it given it was $25.

Welp a few months later I start getting super into Donny & Marie after hearing New Season and Goin' Coconuts. I have my mind SET on this box. When we finally visit the store again I rush straight to that table. Of course there was the possibility of someone having bought it before me. And fear grips my soul as I don't see the box at first. But after digging through the other boxes, low and behold: Donny & Marie '45 box. I bought it.

Nowadays it sits next to my record player, storing '45s of course. I presume "Crystal" was the original owner. Anyway, it makes me smile. One of my favs. My mom tried getting it for lower (as she does) to no avail but it's about the joy that it brings I think.

Donny Osmond doll

Anyway, speaking of Donny & Marie... did you know Mattel made dolls made of them in the '70s? I wasn't even entertaining this idea before I came to this antique store near me. So you could imagine me passing by this random doll sitting on this bookshelf in some ugly jumpsuit thing. I vividly remember thinking "You know who he looks like?" as I picked up what was definitely not Donny Osmond. It had to just be the brainrot. Then I looked at the tag round his neck.

Although I found out later he was supposed to come with the clothes he wore on New Season + a microphone prop, he was only $9 so... no harm done. Later down the line I decided to sew him some better clothes, not based on any outfit in particular. I'm can't sew to save my life so it's not perfect, but it's better than what he came home with. (Photo you've probably seen from my Hall of Fame)

Anyway, I'm currently working on making him other outfits soon (as of writing, I'm doing one based on that American flag outfit he wore on the cover of "My Best To You" and I might do an outfit from the Goin' Coconuts movie). I don't really see any point in buying another that does have the original outfit cause making the outfits is pretty satisfying in the end and also I think unboxed Donny goes for a little more than $9 lol... I am keeping a very good eye out for Marie, though. I want her so bad. I did come back to that exact same booth later and didn't see any Marie so she's probably been a long lost sister for a while now. Hopefully not for much longer.

Update!

His new outfit was actually finished a while back as of me writing this. As I said earlier, it's based on the outfit on "My Best To You", sat next to him in this photo. Everything except the shoes (which were stolen from another Barbie) were hand-made.

Also, the whole reason I made him a new outfit is actually because my mom bought tickets for us to see the REAL Donny and I thought it would be fun to bring him. So he has now seen himself? + A couple older ladies who got a kick out of him. It was sweet. We were very far back, kind of obscured by the balcony above us, so I don't think Donny Osmond could see me waving the doll around sadly. But it was still a fun show. A great mix of lovable songs and lots of silly interactions with the audience. I wouldn't mind trying for a closer seat should he come to town again.

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Update 2!

Marie has finally been acquired!! And for only $10... I was about to leave this other antique store when I saw, way up on the top shelf of a bookcase, this Donny & Marie lunchbox. Unfortunately, though, it was priced at $95 which is a bit over my budget... But right next to it, I noticed Marie. I couldn't believe my eyes. She was unpriced, originally to come with the lunchbox, but the store owner just let me have her for $10.

As you can see, she still has the original outfit and everything. Super good condition. I may end up trying to recreate Donny's original outfit in that case (I already have some purple satin). That, or creating completely different matching outfits. I guess I'll decide when I get the time to do either.