Who here calls them jam boxes?

[PostEnder]

I realized something minutes ago, while re-browsing this thread. Boombox fans who speak British Commonwealth English (and apparently think in it) like MyOhMy might scorn ever calling a "boombox" a "jam box" (the two-word term) due to the risk of thinking not of small, portable, cassette-playing sound systems but of the sweet, fruit-based stuff spread on slices of bread, on scones, etc.





Or, delectable sights aside, is the suggestion beside the point?

 

[samovar]

A tentative archaelogy of the jambox (1992-2018)

The 2018 "Boombox" Wikipedia entry has "Jambox" as its main synonimous ("A boombox or “Jambox” is a transistorized portable music player featuring one or two cassette tape recorder/players and AM/FM radio, generally with a carrying handle. Beginning in the mid 1980s, a CD player was often included."):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boombox

In a 2015 Youtube video, a small Panasonic is described by Rodney Harrison as a "jambox":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5gL81GUmeA

In a 2010 Youtube video by 01bluebusa, "jam box" is synonimous of "boom box" and "ghetto blaster:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdv5KLl2Onw

In another 2010 Youtube video, a General Electric 3-5252D is referred to by the same 01bluebusa as "Boom Box, Ghetto Blaster, Jam Box":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLlkEHqIGog

In a 2010 Radiomuseum important entry, "jambox" is synonimous of "Ghetto-Blaster," "Boombox," and "Radio-Cassette".
https://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/ghetto_blaster_boombox_jambox_radio_cassette_history.html

In the same Radiomuseum article there is also a reference to the January 4, 2010 Wikipedia entry beginning with the phrase: "Boombox, also known as ghetto blaster, jambox, or radio-cassette."

Last but not least, in the 1992 movie Little Marines 2, Greg's boombox is called "jambox":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B3MEhNmYvE

 

[Transistorized]

If that were me in that last video "Gregg and his jambox"....While I was recovering from being knocked out, I'd get my ars whooped for breaking the glass door, my box would be destroyed and I'd end up having to mow lawns to pay for the door damage when I recovered. #hardknocklife

 

[Ghettoboom767]

Some of older folk call them ‘Noise Boxes’!! 😮🎶🎼📻📻

 

[samovar]

The search for the origin of the term jambox is fascinating. Rather than hinting at the Jamaican music system, maybe -- and rather more likely -- the word is part of the New York lingo, via a possible connection to the JAMBOX Entertainment Studios. These were started in 1980 by Lee Evans in the Sound View area of South Bronx, before being relocated to midtown Manhattan in 1989.

"It was always tight and hot as heck down there,", says Evans about the original 4-track recording studio. "Guys would say it felt (and smelled) like a sweatbox but man… we used to jam!" Thus the name JAMBOX was born.

But who is Lee Evans (aka LeRoi Evans/LeRoy Evans, according to Wikipedia)? In the official JAMBOX Entertainment Studios site we read: "As a songwriter/producer and recording engineer, Lee Evans many accomplishments include his work with singer “Marc Anthony” in the early stages of his career, “Cindi Lauper” , “Harry Belafonte”, “The Force MDs”, “Brass Construction”, “Afrikaa Bambaataa” and a long list of dance Hip Hop and “latin freestyle” favorites from the ‘80’s and early 90’s."

Interesting, isn't it? Especially if we think that among the people who have recorded at the Jambox Studio there are: Marc Anthony & Willie Colon, Afrikaa Bambaataa Jazzy Jay, Queen Latifah, Doug E. Fresh Lori Michaels, Sa-fire, The Cover Girls, TKA, Amoretto, Cyre, The Cold Crush Brothers, The Force MDs, Brass Construction, Rainy Davis, Glen Jones, DJ Jose “Animal” Diaz.

Sources: https://jamboxstudio.com/ and https://jamboxstudio.com/lee-evans/

 

[PostEnder]

A tentative archaelogy of the jambox (1992-2018)

The 2018 "Boombox" Wikipedia entry has "Jambox" as its main synonimous ("A boombox or “Jambox” is a transistorized portable music player featuring one or two cassette tape recorder/players and AM/FM radio, generally with a carrying handle. Beginning in the mid 1980s, a CD player was often included."):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boombox

In a 2015 Youtube video, a small Panasonic is described by Rodney Harrison as a "jambox":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5gL81GUmeA

In a 2010 Youtube video by 01bluebusa, "jam box" is synonimous of "boom box" and "ghetto blaster:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdv5KLl2Onw
2010 video on Youtube

In another 2010 Youtube video, a General Electric 3-5252D is referred to by the same 01bluebusa as "Boom Box, Ghetto Blaster, Jam Box":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLlkEHqIGog

In a 2010 Radiomuseum important entry, "jambox" is synonimous of "Ghetto-Blaster," "Boombox," and "Radio-Cassette".
https://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/ghetto_blaster_boombox_jambox_radio_cassette_history.html

In the same Radiomuseum article there is also a reference to the January 4, 2010 Wikipedia entry beginning with the phrase: "Boombox, also known as ghetto blaster, jambox, or radio-cassette."

Last but not least, in the 1992 movie Little Marines 2, Greg's boombox is called "jambox":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B3MEhNmYvE

On the one hand: thanks to Samovar for sharing these video clips -- and for his respectably researched insight into the history of ever (or never) calling portable radio cassette recorders "jamboxes."

On the other hand, after watching the twenty-odd-second clip with the Panasonic, I actually muttered: The bloody thing is so basic, it doesn't even have a tape counter. Yes, sir, I was that uncivil. (Do excuse me. But, hey, that no-counter Panny could serve as some kid's first non-transistor sound system, right? )

I wasn't much happier either with the bigger, more impressive-looking General Electric unit. It looks like it was designed and built in the "Classical Era" of boomboxes, but it still lacked a tape counter. ("Where's the tape counter?" was what I demanded more than once while while watching the clip.)

And, while I'm not familiar with that 1992 movie Little Marines 2, let me say: ouch, poor kitty! That has to hurt. (Hence the yowling of the stepped-on feline.) Something that would get PETA and SPCA muttering: That had BETTER be a prop that got a stompin'...

 

[Hajidub]

If the Mooninites call it a Jambox I'm in!