45 RPM - The History, Heroes, and Villains of a Pop Music Revolution Book

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 history of the 45 7" phonograph record”from its origins back to the 1880s to explaining the personality conflicts that led an eccentric genius to develop the 45 single record into one of postwar America's most popular consumer products.

45 RPM by Jim Dawson & Steve Propes 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) 45 records 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.

45 RPM Pop Music Revolution Contents:
Chapter 1: Record Revolution
Chapter 2: Columbia Unveils the LP
Chapter 3: Getting Up to Speed
Chapter 4: The Battle of the Speeds
Chapter 5: The Kiddie Discs
Chapter 6: The Jukebox Saves the Day
Chapter 7: The 45 Takes Over!
Chapter 8: The EP
Chapter 9: The Record Sleeve
Chapter 10: Hot Biscuits (How to Make a 45)
Chapter 11: "Stormy Weather": The Most Legendary 45
Chapter 12: A-Sides, Free Rides & Killer B's
Chapter 13: The 7-Inch Alternatives
Chapter 14: The 12-inch Single
Chapter 15: The End of the Single
Chapter 16: The 45 Will Rise Again!
Chapter 17: The 50 Most Expensive 45s
Chapter 18: Odd Lots, Odd Balls & Odd 'n' Ends