It was 44 years ago that...

"How about In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by the Iron Butterfly"

Yeah, I was a fan at the time, what was I thinking, I wasn't, it was that plodding, pulsating beat. Listening now the 17 minute repetiveness is a simple reminder of how often mediocrity rises above true creativity. Wonder what some of the pre-eminent drummers of that era thought about the long version? Catchy but hardly altering or influential except to the teen boys that bought it at the time, I have since changed my mind?:)

Sorry Ozzy, I originally missed your real point. I responded because quite recently, actually the first time in years, maybe 30 or more, I heard this piece, owned the album at one time, long since gone and forgotten.

As far as long play it seems to me the Doors 6 minute version of "Light My Fire", the FM version that you mention Rcprince, is the earliest tune beyond the 2-3 minute standard of the era that was actually mixed in with the standard version on AM. Most of the others you mention were limited to WMMR, Philadelphia, the FM rock station at that time.