Memorex entered the consumer media business in 1971 and started the ad campaign, first with its “shattering glass” advertisements….and then with a series of famous television commercials that featured Ella Fitzgerald…..when in the commercials she would sing a note that shattered a glass while being recorded to a Memorex audio cassette…..then The tape was played back and the recording also broke the glass, asking “Is it live, or is it Memorex?” This would become the company slogan which was used in a series of advertisements released through 1970’s and 1980’s. In 1982 Memorex was bought by Burroughs…..and over the next six years, Burroughs and its successor Unisys shut down, sold off or spun out the various parts of Memorex….which means that most of the Millennials and GenX folks never got to see Ella Fitzgerald break the crystal glass.
Simply put, that is why videos like this one are priceless….cuz here was a company that was at the top of the heap in the world as a consumer electronics brand specializing in disk recordable media for audio tapes, CD’s and DVD drives, flash memory, computer accessories and other electronics…..that is around.
For those who were around when Ella and Melissa broke the crystal and Memorex recorded it….and broke the crystal with a replay….you will certainly recall “If you don’t have Schlitz….you don’t have gusto….and if you don’t have gusto….you don’t have beer.” …..as well as “Take Aim Against Cavities”….and for any and all Austinites from that era…..you probably went to Austin Aquarama to shop when the festival was open….where you also probably bought something there…..cuz the prices were good.
