The 8-track tape was a physical audio format that was popular from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s. The technology dates back to the 1950s and is based on an circular loop of magnetic tape packed into a plastic cartridge. The tape width is divided into 4 stereo tracks (4 x 2 = 8). What was traditionally considered an “album” in the LP record world was split into 4 “programs” or 2 programs per album side for 8-track release. What this means to anybody who remembers is that each album side was often faded out mid-song before the cartridge was automatically changed to the next program. The change was accompanied by a loud “KERCHUNK” as the playback head switched positions. There was no reverse or play button and rarely a fast-forward control. You would jam the cartridge into the player, and it would start playing. Players typically had just a single button used for manually switching between programs. Another quirk was that album songs were often re-arranged to create 4 roughly equal program lengths to eliminate wasted blank space thus saving on tape costs. The odd sequencing and fade-outs between programs were anathema to most rock album fans.
The 8-track tape was an example of the corporate world pushing an inferior format that actually managed to win in the marketplace; for a while at least. There was an existing 4-track tape format that preserved the traditional 2 sides of an album. The familiar micro-cassette already existed. Crosstalk between 8-track programs was a big problem. The 8-track tape mechanism had mechanical design flaws and was prone to unspooling inside the players. However they had the corporate world behind them, most notably Bill Lear of Lear Jet fame. Also Jimmie Walker.
So 8-tracks basically sucked. Most of the music released in the format was country, big band, and easy listening judging by what you find in thrift/antique stores. I’m fascinated by them because there were a few years when the 8-track format was dying, but newer, transgressive artists were releasing music on the format. Some of the holy grails in the 8-track world are releases by Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Stooges, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Brian Eno, and The Goo Goo Dolls. It’s debated what was the last commercial 8-track release. Some say U2’s “Rattle and Hum” in 1988. Some say Fleetwood Mac’s “Greatest Hits”; also 1988.
In conclusion…KERCHUNK…for any weird piece of obsolete junk out there there are people who collect it.