Bootleg Recordings on X-Rays: How Soviet Teens Defied the Music Ban
The Cold War Music Ban
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union strictly controlled all forms of art and music. Western music, deemed “decadent and corrupting,” was banned. But that didn’t stop Soviet teenagers from finding ways to listen to the music they loved.
The Rise of the Stilyagi
The stilyagi were a subculture of Soviet teens who emerged in the 1950s. They were known for their trendy clothing and their love of Western music, particularly jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.
Bone Records: A Cheap and Plentiful Alternative
Since vinyl records were scarce and expensive, the stilyagi found an ingenious way to create their own music: they used old x-rays. The vinyl sheets used for x-rays were flimsier than regular records, but they were still usable. Bootleggers used standard wax disc cutters to duplicate smuggled records onto these x-ray “bones.”
Bone Record Markets: Roentgenizdat
As the popularity of bone records grew, specialized markets called roentgenizdat (“X-Ray Press”) sprang up across the Soviet Union. These markets became hubs for the distribution of banned Western music.
The Crude Quality of Bone Records
While bone records were a cheap and accessible way to listen to music, their quality was far from ideal. The sound was often muffled, and each record could only hold one side of music. Additionally, the spindle holes were often made by pressing a lit cigarette into the disc’s center, leaving a rough and uneven edge.
The Cheap Cost and High Demand
Despite their crude quality, bone records were in high demand. They were much cheaper than records smuggled in and sold on the black market. This made them accessible to a wider range of Soviet teens.
Government Crackdown and the Decline of Bone Records
By the end of the 1950s, the authorities had caught on to the bone record trade. In 1958, bone records were officially banned, and the government cracked down on roentgenizdat markets. The trade continued underground for a few more years, but the availability of reel-to-reel tape recorders and the easing of restrictions on foreign music made bone records obsolete.
Preserving the Legacy of Bone Records
Despite their short lifespan, some bone records have survived to this day. The X-Ray Audio Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing these unique artifacts. Through their website, listeners can experience the sound of music “on the bone” and learn more about the history of this fascinating subculture.
Conclusion
The story of bone records is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of Soviet teenagers who found a way to defy the music ban. These homemade records not only provided a way to listen to their favorite music but also became a symbol of resistance and cultural exchange during a time of political repression.
