Ongoing History Daily: The mystery of Mingering Mike

In 2003, some obscure records were discovered at a Washington DC flea market, all from someone called Mingering Mike. They looked real on the outside, but when they were opened up, there was no vinyl. Instead, there were round pieces of cardboard painted black to look like a record, complete with a fancy label, and—get this—hand-painted grooves.

Further investigation revealed that there were more than 150 Mingering Mike records—and Mike himself did not exist. He was the fantasy creation of a guy named, yes, Mike (well, maybe), who became fascinated by album artwork and the look of records. And so, he set about creating dozens and dozens and dozens of these odd records.

When they were discovered at that flea market, word spread to people like David Byrne and the Beastie Boys, who became fascinated by this odd and captivating style of outsider art. His creations are now the things of museum exhibits.