Singles, 45s, 7-inchers: they have many names, but they only come in one package (a square of folded cardboard with a miniature poster on either side). The gold standard of Top 40 playlists for decades, these small albums have long been favourites of DJs and collectors who prize them for their small-scale graphic design.Organized chronologically, 45 RPM brings together more than 200 albums from all genres of music, chosen for their innovative design. Included are albums by Paul Anka, The Beatles, Boston Pops, Clash, Donovan, Dizzy Gillespie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin and REM.Music historian Chuck Granada presents the history of the 45, its place in the music business and its designers. Each decade of design is introduced by a specialist of that period: Eric Kohler (1950s), Spencer Drake (1960s), Roger Dean (1970s), Bruce Licher (1980s) and Jeff Kleinsmith (1990s).

45 RPM THE HISTORY AND THE VILLIANS OF A POP MUSIC REVOLUTION

Lavishly illustrated with 1,360 photos, 160 in color, this volume--the only book available on the topic--identifies, dates and values, in two grades of condition, picture sleeves for pop, rock, alternative, country, r&b, dance, soul, jazz, blues, classical, comedy, movie & TV soundtracks, opera and other types of records. Readers will find entries for more than 10,000 sleeves, covering more than 40 years of U.S. releases.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.