Much has been said about the sudden rise in popularity of the vinyl LP, which is truly exciting for those who love to collect albums. However, the glorious 7” single format has never gone away. Indie labels have been pressing them for decades – albeit in very limited quantities. In the ‘90s and ‘00s, the 7” single was one of the most popular formats for labels, who managed to maintain a decent cash flow by selling them through mail order. Bands would even press up exclusive 7” singles to sell at their gigs. So, while the LP was temporarily on the backburner, the 45rpm was the format of choice for the indie bands and labels.
The 7” single – first introduced in the late ‘40s – ushered in the Pop and Rock ‘n’ Roll eras. It has remained an important and much loved format for 70 years by music fans and has proven to be an excellent way for artists to reach and communicate with their core audience. Most 7” singles play at 45rpm and have one song per side, but there have been more and more exceptions to that rule over the years. There are some bands that manage to fit two to four songs per side, depending on the length of the recordings. If you’re lucky, the single comes with a picture sleeve that adds to the experience. Read More