Ongoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: The first LP, part 1

With more people getting into (or back into) vinyl these days, I thought I’d offer up a little history, beginning with this: The 12-inch vinyl album is called an “LP.”

“LP” stands for “long-playing.” It’s a term that goes right back to June 21, 1948, when Columbia Records first introduced the format. Up until that time, the world had to deal with 10-inch 78 RPM singles that could hold no more than four minutes per side. This new format could hold about 22 minutes per side.

When it was first demonstrated to reporters at a big event at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, no one could believe it. Some reporters even thought there was some trickery going on. A record that could play for more than four minutes before having to be flipped over? More next time.

Friday’s Ongoing History Daily was about records, too, specifically the size wars.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38022 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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