Very sad news for tech geeks to pass along today … Sony has announced that it will no longer produce their iconic Walkman portable cassette stereos after the current batch of gadgets sells out. Despite the fact that the Apple iPod has pretty much become THE standard in portable music players in recent years, the Sony Walkman will forever remain, IMHO, the most important portable music player of all time. I gotta say … I’m really sad to see the Walkman die :(
After more than 30 years of producing its Walkman portable cassette players, Sony said it’s ending sales of the Walkman. The final batch was produced in Japan in April, and no more will be produced as soon as the current run is sold out. Just over 200 million cassette Walkman players have been sold over the years since being first introduced in 1979. Sony will continue to make and sell CD- and MiniDisc-based Walkmans, as well as its latest flash-based devices. Cloned but Sony-branded Walkmans will continue to be made by Chinese makers in Asia and the Middle East. The Walkman is widely credited with pioneering the concept of personal, portable audio beyond the radio. It helped spur on the cassette as a popular format and also maintained interest in albums. Interest only began to fade in the 1990s when the Discman took over, and saw a more definite end when the iPod was in sight.
It makes sense that Sony would discontinue production of their portable cassette players, especially since cassettes will very soon be extinct themselves … but … this is still really sad news. I remember when I got my first Sony Walkman back in the mid-80s … man, I loved that thing so much. My favorite memories include me riding around the block on my bike with my Sony Walkman strapped to my waist as I listened to Madonna, Prince, Stacey Q, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam … man, those were the good ol’ days. The Sony Walkman was just as popular at the time as the Apple iPod is today … but, alas, it’s natural that the old has to make way for the new. At least Sony is keeping the “Walkman” name alive with it’s CD and MP3 players but, in all honesty, they aren’t true Walkman devices. I’ll miss the real Sony Walkman … especially since it feels like a part of my childhood has just died :(
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Okay, I’ll bet it’s been 10 years since I’ve seen a Walkman cassette player sold in any store. Where have they been selling these things lately?
I saw a player like this at Best Buy last week, one among all the discmans. Not sure if it was Sony or not but thought how long it’d been since I’d seen one
I remember getting mine on my 10th birthday.
Wow, good-bye cassette Walkman….. =(
RIP!!!
Nooooo! Sad news, indeed. But what a fun post, mister! Love the walkman memory sharing… I too recall trudging through the snow in the mornings to get to my school bus stop and having Dead or Alive, Platinum Blonde, Madonna and Wham! provide the soundtrack to my life at that time. Oh, and Stacy Q? LOL! “we connect, when we’re together it’s so perfect, the way you shock me with your white hot love…” Hilarity :-))) Trent, do u remember the “very special episode” of Facts of Life that she guest-starred on?
@Kent — “do u remember the “very special episode” of Facts of Life that she guest-starred on?” Yes! Her name was Cinnamon and Tootie was her BFF. If memory serves, Stacey “performed” Two of Hearts in one ep and returned to “perform” We Connect on a follow-up ep :D
@Trent: What the what?!? She was on TWO episodes? I did NOT know that. I *need* to see that shit… ;)
@Kent — Two of Hearts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpdWy75_WOk We Connect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lxOB8c04k
I didn’t even realize they still made them. I haven’t used a cassette player since 1993. Can u even remember the last time u saw cassette tape? I can’t.