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He spent 25 years building his vinyl record collection. Then the fires reduced it to ashes

BBG News

Looking out over the rows of vinyl records at Santa Monica’s Record Surplus, 45-year-old Scott Dudelson reflects on this store being his sanctuary since his youth. Unlike other kids who played CDs in their car stereos, Dudelson spent his spare change on one-dollar vinyl records instead, a more affordable option compared to the $12 to $18 price tag of new compact discs back in the late ’90s.

A lasting sadness can be seen in his face. Maybe it’s due to the fact that exactly a week ago, on January 7th, he witnessed Hellfire ascend the Palisades hills, eventually reaching his neighborhood. Regrettably, this event would ultimately destroy his house, together with his extensive vinyl record collection which spanned around 8,000 albums and was amassed over a period of 25 years.

Prior to anyone reporting the fire, I stepped outside and caught a whiff of it,” Dudelson recalls, sharing the details over the phone while his girlfriend confirmed the story. “Ten minutes later, smoke began billowing from my hills, right over my neighborhood. At that moment, I knew this situation was extremely serious.

Without a doubt, fires raged on, causing devastation. They burned close to 3,000 homes in Palisades and Malibu. Similarly, Altadena experienced a terrible ordeal, with wildfires consuming more than 9,000 structures since the fire started – both events occurred approximately 20 miles apart.

However, Dudelson remained calm amidst the situation, since he and six other residents were contemplating staying put. This decision came after a house he was constructing, intended to accommodate his collection, miraculously survived a chain of fires only three weeks prior in Malibu’s Pepperdine area. Unfortunately, during that disaster, approximately 1,000 records were damaged as wildfire smoke seeped into the thick album covers, much like mold, causing them to become harmful if exposed for extended periods.

He had discussions with some of his fellow individuals who successfully protected their homes during the 2018 Woolsey fire. Remarkably, while his own house only suffered minimal damage, he unfortunately lost 500 records in the process. Unbeknownst to him, the Palisades and Eaton fires would later expand to destroy more than twice the urban area that was affected by the Woolsey fire.

“I thought, if you’re smart about it, you could do it,” he added.

In just a short while, the gravity of the situation became clear to me: “It dawned on me that I wasn’t a firefighter, it was high time for me to depart… And so, I did. I crossed the street on PCH and stood there, bearing witness as my community was consumed by flames.

In the end, he was forced to leave along with Melissa, his former spouse, who unexpectedly had aided him in moving his entire collection (consisting of 55 boxes) out of her residence in Latigo Canyon because of renovations. Interestingly, she allowed him to store them there while his new home near Pepperdine was also undergoing renovation. He believed it was wise to do so since the canyons of Malibu were particularly prone to fires: “Fire is a part of the culture,” he remarked, having resided in that area for 20 years.

Earlier in the day, Dudelson captured a video that displays his room overflowing with records. As he maneuvers through the labyrinth of boxes, he expresses optimism, saying, “I’m hoping all this stuff makes it through.” He adds, “I feel hopeful. My house didn’t burn down before, and I believe it will survive this time.

A stark realization of the event’s aftermath wouldn’t fully strike him until the following day, as he caught sight of the remnants of his home on a CBS News program.

Collaboratively, he and his former spouse accumulated approximately six containers, holding around 450 records in total. Fortunately, past encounters with wildfires equipped him with foresight, causing him to pre-label certain boxes for immediate evacuation. The selection criteria ranged from sentimental value to monetary worth or an intuitive sense that the contents were worth preserving.

He mentioned that he had placed two of his most cherished albums, “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere” by Neil Young and “On the Beach,” on display. He added that these records aren’t pricey; you could easily find a well-preserved copy in any store for around five, 15, or even 20 dollars.

Those containers housed various records such as “The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators,” albums by Nick Drake, Elvis’ first self-titled album, a sealed copy of the 1968 “White Album” by The Beatles, and Big Star’s “#1 Record.” These specific records are valued at hundreds to thousands of dollars each.

But there is still plenty that he lost.

He sadly remembered, “I misplaced all my Smiths albums, the brand new, sealed copies of Slayer’s ‘Reign in Blood,’ especially the original version. In truth, I lost it all. I had every David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac record – you name them – they’re nowhere to be found now.

The original Beatles’ “Yesterday and Today” album, often called the “butcher cover,” that he owned is now missing. These days, it’s valued less for being a scarce vinyl record and more as a significant historical artifact. Just 750,000 copies were produced in 1966 before they were withdrawn from circulation and reissued.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation, given the ongoing mystery surrounding the incomplete understanding of the records left behind by Dudelson. Just recently, a tantalizing piece of information surfaced – a rare 1956 Blue Note pressing of “At The Hickory House Volume 1” by Jutta Hipp. This elusive vinyl, currently valued at approximately $2,000, has piqued my curiosity and heightened the suspense. I can’t wait to see what other gems might be hidden among these records!

Initially, I was deeply saddened when I had to let go of a rare vinyl record, a loss I shared with my 55,000 Instagram followers under the handle @alldayvinyl. This account, which I’ve nurtured since late 2018, has grown into a thriving community. Over time, I expanded this passion project by launching my podcast, “LEGENDS,” where I’ve interviewed esteemed artists like Dave Mason and Robby Krieger of The Doors. As the days passed, my sorrow morphed into admiration for the journey this love for vinyl has taken me on.

Dudelson expressed warmth in his voice as he mentioned the numerous individuals from the vinyl community and record labels who had contacted him. Among the first to reach out were friends at Rhino Records and Universal Music Group, offering their condolences and assistance in rebuilding his collection. They even invited him to visit their facilities and select some records for himself.

He wept as the direct messages began to flood in.

In essence, I am part of this passionate group of music enthusiasts, much like Dudelson, who deeply value and recognize the “unsung heroes” within the vinyl record industry. To me, our shared experience embodies the indomitable spirit of Los Angeles – a city that stubbornly clings to life amidst the world’s attempts to drift it away.

He shares that he won’t recreate the past, but he’s content with that decision. He cherishes the moments he spent with them and gained a wealth of knowledge about music, delving into countless album liner notes.

He admits that he’s got a strong passion for music, stating that he will continue to purchase music, listen to it, and play records non-stop throughout the day.

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2025-01-22 14:31

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