What the Vinyl Records “Comeback” Really Looks Like…

Here’s what the vinyl records ‘comeback’ looks like, dating back to 1973 (and updated for 2015). US-based data compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

And here’s a breakdown of sales, by year.

Combined LPs + 33″ singles.

1973: $1.436 billion

1974: $1.550 billion

1975: $1.697 billion

1976: $1.908 billion

1977: $2.440 billion

1978: $2.733 billion

1979: $2.411 billion

1980: $2.450 billion

1981: $2.598 billion

1982: $2.208 billion

1983: $1.958 billion

1984: $1.848 billion

1985: $1.562 billion

1986: $1.211 billion

1987: $996.4 million

1988: $712.6 million

1989: $336.7 million

1990: $180.9 million

1991: $93.3 million

1992: $79.9 million

1993: $61.8 million

1994: $65.0 million

1995: $71.8 million

1996: $84.3 million

1997: $68.9 million

1998: $59.7 million

1999: $59.7 million

2000: $54.0 million

2001: $58.8 million

2002: $45.4 million

2003: $43.2 million

2004: $39.2 million

2005: $27.4 million

2006: $25.6 million

2007: $26.9 milion

2008: $59.6 million

2009: $66.3 million

2010: $91.2 million

2011: $124.0 million

2012: $165.4 million

2013: $213.7 million

2014: $320.8 million

2015: $422.3 million

As for 2016, that data is still rolling in. We’re hearing different information on how strong the growth has been this year. That said, growth could start to seriously jumpstart, thanks to a surge in innovation in this space. That includes work on an ‘HD Vinyl‘ format, and unexpected ideas like the MAG_LEV magnetically hovering turntable.