RCA Compact 33 RPM Record Guide (US) (LPC Prefix)

In 1960, RCA and a number of major record labels had introduced the compact 33 single in an attempt to create a one-speed format market. It was a move that many within the industry had thought would take two to five years for the market sales to switch from the 45s to the compact 33s. With a shortage of inexpensive automatic 33-speed singles players to discourage promotion of the compact 33 and the majority, of 3,000 discount stores cutting their prices of the 45 RPM from ninety-eight cents to seventy-seven cents, by 1961 the "concept of the" compact 33 as an industry standard was no more.¹

The Compact 33 was released in two formats, the Compact 33 single and the Compact 33 double. The Compact 33 double generally contained four tracks whereas the single contained two tracks like their 45 RPM counterpart. The RCA LPC prefix series, which likely means (by my own assertion) Long-Play Compact 33 is an example of the Compact 33 double format.

A beginning to compiling a listing of Compact 33 Records released in 1961. Compact 33s are 7 inch and resemble a 45 RPM except that the hole is LP size. The prefix LPC reflects Compact 33. These do not have a 45 RPM counterpart and are unique. These are difficult to obtain, this list is based on eBay auctions, price guides, and many search engines.

Note: LPC-123 by Elvis Presley was to apparently contain four tracks. Side 1 Love me and Hound Dog and Side 2 Don't Be Cruel and Jailhouse Rock. (source) As far as I know, no copies exist.

Keywords: LPC-100,LPC-101,LPC-102,LPC-103,LPC-104,LPC-105,LPC-106,LPC-107,LPC-108,LPC-109,LPC-110,LPC-111,LPC-112,LPC-113,LPC-114,LPC-115,LPC-116,LPC-117,LPC-118,LPC-119,LPC-120,LPC-121,LPC-122,LPC-133,LPC-134,LPC-135,LPC-136,LPC-137,LPC-138,LPC-139,LPC-140