45 RPM The History, Heroes & Villains of a Pop Music Revolution

by Dawson, Jim

• ISBN13: 9780879307578
• ISBN10: 0879307579
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: Backbeat

Summary

In the 1950s and '60s, those shiny 45-rpm records with the big hole in the middle were the primary delivery system for popular American music, especially rock 'n' roll. Cheap to manufacture and available to even fly-by-night record operations, the "donut disc" changed the way popular music was written, recorded, promoted and marketed, and it broke - at least for a time - the iron-fisted dominance of the major record corporations. This book traces the 7-inch single's origins back to the 1880s, and explains the personality conflicts that led an eccentric genius to develop the 45 into one of postwar America's most popular consumer products. It explores how the jukebox, the autonomous disc jockey, and payola and artist rip-offs kept the 45 at the forefront of rock for 20 years. There are also chapters on the most valuable (and legendary) 45s of all time, as well as the oddities, oddballs and freak hits that make listening to 45s so much fun. With over 80 illustrations - many in full color.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	5	(2)
CHAPTER 1: Record Revolutions	7	(2)
CHAPTER 2: Columbia Unveils the LP	9	(7)
CHAPTER 3: Getting Up to Speed	16	(8)
CHAPTER 4: The Battle of the Speeds	24	(8)
CHAPTER 5: The Kiddie Discs	32	(3)
CHAPTER 6: The Jukebox Saves the Day	35	(6)
CHAPTER 7: The 45 Takes Over!	41	(5)
CHAPTER 8: The EP	46	(11)
CHAPTER 9: The Record Sleeve	57	(15)
CHAPTER 10: Hot Biscuits (How to Make a 45)	72	(5)
CHAPTER 11: "Stormy Weather": The Most Legendary 45	77	(20)
CHAPTER 12: A-Sides, Free Rides & Killer B's	97	(13)
CHAPTER 13: The 7-Inch Alternatives	110	(6)
CHAPTER 14: The 12-Inch Single	116	(6)
CHAPTER 15: The End of the Single	122	(5)
CHAPTER 16: The 45 Will Rise Again!	127	(7)
CHAPTER 17: The 50 Most Expensive 45's	134	(16)
CHAPTER 18: Odd Lots, Odd Balls & Odds 'n' Ends	150	(16)
SOURCES	166	(3)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	169	(1)
ABOUT THE AUTHORS	170	(1)
INDEX	171