What was the first music you ever bought with your own money?

The Edgar Winter Group album that featured the songs “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” I was in the eighth grade.

Any reaction from your parents?

My father came into the room and discovered the album cover with Edgar Winter in full glam rock mode, blindingly white bare-chested skin, over-the-top makeup, I think a feather boa or some such thing. He calmly took the album out of the cover, took a pair of scissors, and cut the album cover to shreds.

What did he do then?

He replaced the cover with another from his own collection and put a piece of white tape on it, carefully transcribing the title on the tape. Then he turns to me and says, “I know you spent your own money on this, and therefore you can listen to any garbage you want, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to have you turn to cross-dressing over your musical tastes.”

Do you remember the next music you bought?

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. I would say at least 70% of the music I’ve bought since then has been classical.

(Tim Cook, Vermont)