Mystery Blonde Covergirl Search Continues

Mystery Blonde Covergirl Search Continues

I’m at the point in my life when, according to experts, I’m supposed to be getting rid of stuff. And I agree. I’ve got crates of motorcycle and bicycle stuff I’ll never use again. I have enough t-shirts to sew quilts for every child in an Eskimo village. I’ve got five Running-When-Parked motorcycles. And I’ll never wear all the Converse Chuck Taylors in the closet. I don’t plan to add anymore stuff to my life except for one addiction I can’t seem to shake. I love collecting vinyl records with motorcycles on the cover. My obsession started around twenty years ago when Norman, a riding buddy who is also a radio DJ, keyboardist, theremin maestro, zine publisher, minibike rider and memorabilia collector, introduced me to The Scamblers, Cycle Psychos album. Dave Ekins is the seeing-double coverboy (I got to meet Dave a few times) and the album contains such classics as Turn Her On, 250 Scrambler, Steel Shoe and Around The Oval. I was hooked. 

The First Procurement: This is ground zero and started my obsession with collecting motorcycle albums. The collection is over 300 and growing.

My searching began by bin diving at record stores (unfortunately, I’ve never found a record store that has a “Motorcycles on the cover” section) and searching eBay (where HDhog outbid me on everything). Discogs has made searching easier (and way more expensive). 

The mystery blonde: How was I to know the first encountered with Astrid (my name for her) would lead to a multi-year search that has not uncovered her true identity.

THE BLONDE
While searching a European record store, I came upon Golden Oldies From The 50’s and 60’s. The Harley-Davidson on the cover was straddled by a cute couple. I scooped it up while wondering why motorcycle companies haven’t showed couples in their ads since the Honda ads of the 60’s? I mean, that’s why most guys got into motorcycles. 

About a year later I saw the same bike and couple. This time they were gracing the cover of The Woodland Busters. For album collectors, that a big deal. But this was just scratching the surface. She ditched the dude and that Blonde (and Harley) kept selling albums. I’m up to 6 covers that she and the Harley have graced.

The covers were shot by Michel Laguens who was a French photographer, label manager, producer and arranger. He died in 2012 at the age of 72. Michel’s album covers, with or without motorcycles, were sexy, eye catching and intriguing. 

I still keep an eye peeled for Astrid because I’m sure there are albums with her on the cover that I have yet to uncover. 

Sounds good to me: More covers by Michel Laguens that don’t have motorcycles.
One man’s treasure: When I’m gone I hope my collections ends up in a motorcycle museum or added to Norman’s collection.
Moto