Each year Independent Record Store Day in the US gets more interesting and influential, and it seems to be spreading to other countries.

This year to mark the day (April 17), EMI/Capitol in the US will release a limited edition pack of three John Lennon 45rpm vinyl singles.

Formally announced by EMI,  it is also in the “News” section of the official John Lennon site, at the Capitol Records vinyl re-issue site fromthecapitolvaults.com, and there are strong hints at the Record Store Day site itself as well.

The three singles, in original replica sleeves, will be:

John Lennon “Mother” / Yoko Ono “Why”
John Lennon “Imagine” / John Lennon “It’s So Hard”
John Lennon “Watching the Wheels” / Yoko Ono “Yes, I’m Your Angel”

All three will come in what is described as an individually numbered quality “Kraftpac” paper envelope with a poster, three postcards and a special custom adoptor hub for the 45’s.  There’s not a lot of artwork around yet but this looks like it could be the cover of the special bag:

So, here’s to Capitol for celebrating the survival of independent record shops and also the survival of the vinyl record with a special John Lennon release.

For readers in Australia, Record Store Day will also be celebrated on Saturday, April 17. For more info go to the local site.