45 Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The fourth of May is 45 Day, an annual celebration of the classic vinyl format that helped popularise music. If you are a music lover who often fantasises about bygone eras, 45 Day will speak to your spirit. Before mp3 devices, walkmans, and Discmans, vinyl 45 R.P.M. records revolutionised the way people listened to music. Even though the world has become increasingly digital, the cherished 7″ record still has a global fan base. Many individuals believe that the 45 RPM is experiencing a renaissance. Vinyl collectors and enthusiasts are increasing in number. Artists are once again publishing singles on 45s. 45 Day honours the classic record and seeks to increase record sales and store foot traffic.

The background of 45 Day

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Christos Christou created the first 45 Day, which was celebrated for the first time in 2020. The event took place entirely online and featured 52 DJ performances and a two-hour live radio broadcast. Several well-known artists are reissuing singles and albums on vinyl. The existence of the classic 45 in a digital world is a testament to its grandeur.

The 45-rpm record dates back to the late 1940s. Record sales at the time were exceptional. But what about the actual records? The quality was below par. Despite advancements in recording technology, 78 RPM records were still used. Additionally, recordings were fragile, thin, and noisy, which completely defeated the purpose of listening to music. Columbia Records determined to take action. In 1948, the company introduced the 33 1/3 R.P.M., a long-playing record (20 minutes per side) composed of thicker, significantly quieter vinyl. Not wanting to be outdone by its competitor, R.C.A. Victor introduced a new initiative the following year: the 45 R.P.M. record that forever altered the course of music history.

The R.C.A. 7″ 45 RPM record was an instant hit with fans and industry professionals. It was tiny and adorable. Each musical genre had its own colour of vinyl, which made the 45 a hit with the younger, hipper population. This is not to imply, however, that the 45 faced no obstacles. R.C.A. 45 players were only capable of playing 45 RPM recordings and no other formats. The 45 also featured pauses between movements, a longstanding issue for classical music enthusiasts.

In the 1950s, the 45 RPM replaced the 78 RPM, and vinyl became an integral part of everyone’s existence. With battery-powered phonographs, you could listen to music anywhere. Even children exchanged 45s rather than baseball cards. The recordings were entertaining and inexpensive, costing less than a dollar each. Prior to the introduction of cassette recordings, compact discs, and MP3 players, the era of the 45 lasted about forty years.

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45 DAY ACTIVITIES

Pick up some 45s

Today is ideal for a trip to the local record store. Purchase some new 45s or a record you’ve had your eye on for a while. Return to your residence, rotate the circle, and indulge your ears!

Listen to online broadcasts and streams

Tune in to the 45 Day radio programme or listen to the live stream. Since everything is online, anyone can participate from anywhere.

Participate in the events

Consider submitting your recordings to be included on the official 45 Day website if you are a musician or DJ. Additionally, 45s could be played at live or virtual events.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VINYL

The Golden Record on board Voyager One and Two is currently more than 15 billion miles from Earth.

The Wu-Tang Clan’s seventh studio album, “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” was produced in a single copy and sold at auction for $2 million.

The first 12-inch vinyl record was the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 5 in C Minor.’

The Brazilian businessman José Roberto Alves Freitas is known for purchasing entire vinyl record collections from all over the world. He owns more than six million vinyl recordings.

Since 45 RPM records travel quicker, the audio quality is superior to 33 1/3 RPM.

45 DAY DATES