The LP (Long Play), or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph (gramophone) records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry. Apart from relatively minor refinements and the important later addition of stereophonic sound capability, it has remained the standard format for vinyl “albums” up to the present.
At the time the LP was introduced, nearly all phonograph records for home use were made of an abrasive (and therefore noisy) shellac compound, employed a much larger groove, and played at approximately 78 rpm, limiting the playing time of a 12-inch record to less than five minutes per side. The new product was a 12 or 10-inch fine-grooved disc made of vinyl and played with a smaller-tipped “microgroove” stylus at a speed of 33⅓ rpm. Each side of a 12-inch LP could play for more than 20 minutes.
Only the 1983 advent of the digital Compact Disc (CD), which offered a recording that was generally noiseless and not audibly degraded by repeated playing or relatively careless handling, succeeded in toppling the LP from its throne, but only after the initially high prices of CDs and CD players had come down.
Along with phonograph records in general, some of which were made of other materials, LPs are now widely referred to simply as “vinyl”. From the late 1990s and growing steadily through the 21st century onwards, a renewed interest in vinyl has occurred and the demand for the medium has been on a steady increase yearly in niche markets, particularly among audiophiles, DJs and fans of indie music.

All Queen albums have been published in vinyl, since in the 70’s it was the main way to promote an album. Anyway even later Queen decided to publish in this format their songs.

For each LP several editions from all around the world are known to exist, sometimes with a different artwork or tracklist from the original UK one.

Legend: Album title – Record Company – Catalogue number – Country (Year) ~ Notes