Turn To Stone: Solid Centre Setbacks

Classic solid centre (left) versus four pronged (slotted) centre (right)

#1,306: Regular visitors to elobeatlesforever (elobf) will know that ELOBF has, from time to time, featured the odd ELO 7" vinyl single solid centre rarity, specifically "Turn To Stone" b/w "Mister Kingdom" (Jet/UA #UP36313) and "Showdown" b/w "In Old England Town (Instrumental)" (Harvest #HAR5077). Having finally tracked down a solid centre "Showdown" last year, Yours Truly KJS had set my sights not only on finding "Turn To Stone" but now also - thanks to alerts from my fellow record collecting pals Jon Lock of ELO Light Years Ahead and Matt McGough of ELO UK Albums - solid centre editions of "Telephone Line" (Jet/UA #UP36254) and "Mr. Blue Sky" (Jet/UA #UP36342).

Nabbed in November: A solid centre "Showdown"

Yet my search for a solid centre "Turn To Stone" remains fruitless at the time of writing due to the fact that many folks who are selling items on eBay, Discogs and MusicStack appear to be unaware of the difference bewtixt a four prong (slotted) centre and a solid centre. So much so that I now in possession of at least five copies of "Turn To Stone" replete with a four prong centre having decided to not bother returning them! Hence the purpose of this article is to educate anyone interested as to the visual difference between a solid and a four pronged centre - as pictured above top!

Still seeking these ELO solid centre rarities (Photos: Matt McGough/ELO UK Albums)

It goes without saying that elobf would love to hear from folks who have a spare copy of any or all of the above trio of black vinyl solid centre singles and also if you'd like a copy of my overflowing stock of four pronged "Turn To Stone" singles for a charitable donation ...

UP36313: Turn To Stone Twist
HAR5077: Solid Centre Showdown

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 15-Aug-2017