45 Rpm

by Spencer Drate (Editor), Eric Kohler, Chuck Granata (Introduction)

Edited by Spencer Drate. Singles, 45s, 7-inchers-they have many names, but come in only one a square of folded cardboard with a miniature poster on either side. The gold standard of Top 40 playlists for some four decades after their introduction in 1949, these small albums have long been the favorites of DJs and collectors, who prize them for their genius of small-scale graphic design.
45 RPM is the first ever collection of 7-inch sleeves. Organized chronologically, it juxtaposes more than 200 albums, from all genres of music, chosen for their inventive design. It includes albums by such legendary artists as Paul Anka, the Beatles, the Boston Pops, the Clash, Donovan, Dizzy Gillespie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Curtis Mayfield, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, the Ramones, REM, the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, Frank Sinatra, Talking Heads, and many others.
Music historian Chuck Granata provides a general introduction to the history of the 45, its place in the music business, and the designers who created the covers.
Each decade of design is introduced by a specialist in that Eric Kohler on the 1950s, Spencer Drate on the 1960s, Roger Dean (designer of the acclaimed albums for the band Yes) on the 1970s, Bob Grossweiner on the 1980s, and Art Chantry on the 1990s and contemporary design.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Award-winning and legendary Creative Director/Designer/Media Writer/Radio and NEW HD Personality/Curator/Author of 21 major pop-culture books all visually driven. 6 time selected GRAMMY judge and every year Making Vinyl Event judge on album packaging awards committee area. Nominated for The National Design Award.

Reviews

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little hodgepodge of 45 covers. It was nice to see they included the some rarities (MISFITS, Adverts, Murder City devils just name a few) along with the usually high profile fair ( Rollings Stones, Beattle, etc, etc,. Not at all definitive but well worth admission price.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief (one page or so) essays introduce each decade from the 1950's through 1990's, followed by full page photographs of some of the most beautifully designed 7inches of the decade. I disagree that the "most powerful cover from this decade" (1980's) is "Watching the Wheels" by John Lennon. I'm certain there are many 7 inches that didn't make it into the book that could take that title.

[Jason]

Cool covers from a dying art