- Music
- 27 Jul 16
From the man who brought you the world's shortest concert comes an attempt at playing the first extra-terrestrial vinyl
Jack White is no stranger to setting world records – in fact, the former White Stripes frontman is responsible for a whole host of them.
The first is for the world's fastest released record (3 hours 55 minutes and 21 seconds) for his song 'Lazaretto'. His album of the same name holds the record for the most first week vinyl sales since 1991. On top of that, White Stripes held the record for the world's shortest concert, playing only a single note at a gig in Canada in 2007 (though that category has since been abandoned).
In celebration of their seventh anniversary, Third Man Records revealed on their blog that they would attempt to play the world's first phonographic record in space. The vinyl in question is a gold-plated 12” master of Carl Sagan’s 'A Glorious Dawn' – which will mark their three millionth vinyl pressed.
A high altitude balloon will hold a space-proof turntable named 'The Icarus Craft' which will carry out the attempt. The craft was designed by Kevin Carrico, who, to quote Third Man, "has NASA in his blood". Carrico and Third Man have previously worked together in restoring Third Man's recording booth. They will be aided in their endeavour by non profit organisation SATINS (Students and Teachers in Near Space).
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To celebrate the launch, Third Man Records will also be holding celebrations at their Cass Corridor and Nashville locations. Here there is to be live music, a viewing of the mission, and an opportunity to buy some commemorative merchandise including limited edition, 12” gold vinyl copies of the 3 millionth pressing, 'A Glorious Dawn'.
The record attempt will occur on July 30.