7" of Joy: The Single at 75

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Archive on 4: 7" of Joy: The Single at 75

BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, 7" of Joy: The Single at 75

Pete Waterman marks the 75th anniversary of the 7" single.

Pete Waterman, who knows a thing or two about the 7" single, charts its history since the 1940s.

What makes the 7″ single so magical is its power to instantly gratify, its ability to get the job done and dusted in approximately two minutes and 57 seconds. Its power outstrips its modest size.

Born out of a commercial war between record labels - shellac was expensive and fragile - RCA Records released the first 7" record on 10th January 1949. Eight decades later 7" singles are in more demand than ever from avid collectors - some commanding four figure sums - and a whole new generation born when the iPod became king are discovering the beauty of the physical 7" over the digital file and streaming.

In this Archive on 4, Pete Waterman, who knows a thing or two about the 7" single, charts its history since the 1940s.

Along the way, he hears from a plethora of people for whom the single has played a huge part of their lives - Petula Clark and John Leyton of 'Johnny Remember Me' fame remember the early years as recording artists in the 1950s. There was the moral panic of the rock'n'roll and beat generation, as mothers in headscarves queued up decrying the degenerative influence of the coffee bar and its jukebox.  But the force of the 7" single changed lives, and helped to introduce the world to the teenager.

Pete guides us through pop culture high points, and low points, when British artists dominated the US singles charts - events that injected a newfound confidence and self-belief into the domestic music industry.

Among those recalling their own relationship with the 7" single is composer Simon May (of EastEnders fame) who had a series of singles hits in the 70s . He explains the excitement of watching the unlikeliest success stories rise up the charts. Pete also talks to producer Royston Mayoh who made the 80s ITV music shows Razzmatazz and The Tube.

We hear about 7" singles parties when enthusiastic young fans would show off and swap their latest records.  Pete talks about the sound of the vinyl single, we hear how they were made initially and from one of only two Jukebox factories that exist in the world where they are still making vinyl 7" singles

Pete looks at the phenomenon of the A and B side, the charity and novelty songs which were greatly enabled by the 7" market and the way covers changed everything in later years, and the bizarre and off-beat world of the "flexidisc" - the freebie giveaway often found on the cover of magazines.

Where does the single fit in history and where does it sit today? Peter Waterman, tries to answer the question in a way only he can. 

Producers:  Wayne Wright and Ashley Byrne
A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

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