Crosley Radio

Last updated
Crosley Radio
Predecessor Crosley Corporation
Founded1993;33 years ago (1993)
Headquarters,
United States
Parent Modern Marketing Concepts, Inc.
Website crosleyradio.com
Crosley turntables Crosley Turntables (23850447763).jpg
Crosley turntables

Crosley Radio is an audio electronic manufacturing company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a modern incarnation of the original Crosley Corporation which existed from 1921 to 1956. Today, Crosley is a marketer of turntables, radios, jukeboxes, speakers, cassette players, CD players, and media stands. Additionally, the division Crosley Furniture, launched in 2009, focuses on home furniture. [1]

Contents

Despite their success, Crosley has become a controversial brand among collectors of vinyl records, with many considering most models to be novelty items rather than professional equipment, mainly because of poor quality audio and cheap styluses. [2] [3] [4] [5] The brand is known to focus on aesthetics inspired by vintage designs, and they are especially known for their all-in-one portable suitcase-style record players sold at a low price such as the Crosley Cruiser. [6] [7]

History

After the original brand was discontinued by parent company Avco in 1956 due to declining sales, the Crosley trademark was resurrected in 1994 by James P. "Bo" LeMastus, [8] [9] [10] [11] CEO of Modern Marketing Concepts, Inc. (now doing business as Crosley Brands), a company incorporated in Simpsonville, Kentucky. [12] [13]

In 2017, Crosley introduced the 'Vinyl Rocket' – the first vinyl jukebox in its catalog, and the "world's only vinyl jukebox in current production". The machine holds up to 70 seven-inch records, and can play both A and B sides using a “unique rotating vinyl mechanism” for a total of 140 possible selections. [14]

Since 2020, Crosley has partnered with Sony Music Publishing to produce several Beatles-licensed accessories, including the Crosley Yellow Submarine Portfolio Turntable. [15] [16]

References

  1. "Crosley Brands". Crosley Brands. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  2. Petridis, Alexis; Gibsone, Harriet; Paphides, Pete (April 21, 2016). "The Crosley generation: the record player that has the kids in a spin". The Guardian . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  3. Bixenspan, David (August 13, 2025). "5 Of The Worst Record Players You Should Avoid". Slashgear . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  4. Zavaleta, Jonathan (August 4, 2025). "Is Crosley's C65 the Affordable Turntable to Beat?". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  5. Rugby, Paul (January 22, 2016). "Turntable review: Should you buy Crosley's new C-10 and C-100 decks?". The Vinyl Factory . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  6. Butterworth, Brent (December 2, 2020). "We Tested Cheap Victrola and Crosley Record Players. The Results Were Mixed". Wirecutter by The New York Times . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  7. Ansaldo, Michael (June 17, 2018). "Crosley Star Wars Cruiser turntable CR8005D-SC review: Buy it for the look, not the quality". PC World . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  8. Ladwig, Boris (November 29, 2018). "Vinyl revival boosts Crosley Brands revenue". Insider Louisville . Archived from the original on June 20, 2019.
  9. Linter, Jonathan (September 24, 2015). "Racing 'serious business' for LeMastus, Crosley". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  10. Wolfe, Bill (January 9, 2002). "New gear from yesteryear: Local firm's retro radios give electronics expo blast of past". The Courier-Journal . Newspapers.com . Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  11. Lintner, Jonathan (July 12, 2015). "Jukeboxes a hit with drivers at Ky. Speedway". The Courier-Journal . Sparta, Kentucky. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  12. "MODERN MARKETING CONCEPTS, INC". Dun & Bradstreet . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  13. "Bo LeMastus". LinkedIn . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  14. Hesse, Brendan (August 7, 2017). "Crosley is bringing vinyl jukeboxes back from the dead with the Vinyl Rocket". Digital Trends . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  15. Goldmine Staff (April 27, 2021). "The Beatles "Yellow Submarine Portfolio Turntable" will be a Record Store Day exclusive". Goldmine . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  16. Fremer, Michael (May 27, 2020). "Crosley Radio Renews Beatles Licensed Accessories". AnalogPlanet. Retrieved January 6, 2026.