Vinyl pressings
by André Gagnon · 1975
Wow was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
M-343-4P 1AStamped runout side A (Variant 1)
M344 2A SNBStamped runout side B (Variant 1)
AN 343-2 1A SNBStamped runout side A (Variant 2)
M344 2A SNBStamped runout side B (Variant 2)
M-343-3L 1ARunout Side A variant 1
M344 2ARunout Side B variant 1
M343-2 AN343-2 SnB 1ARunout Side A etched and stamped, variant 2
M344 2ARunout Side B stamped, variant 2
M-343-3L 1ASide A runout
M-344 2A SnBSide B runout
M-343Side A label in parentheses
M-344Side B label in parentheses
ZXDR-58584-TI-IKSide A
ZXDR-58585-T-IKSide B
ZM-343Label Side A
ZM-344Label Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Barbados | London Records 5N-230First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Canada | London Records 5N-230First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | London Records L. 2582First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | London Records L. 2582First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | London Records L. 2582First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Decca 5229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Italy | Decca F 13619First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Decca F 13619First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Decca JBS 81First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1975 | Italy | Decca JBS 83First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | London Records 10802First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Decca 6103 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Portugal | Decca P-FR 13619First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Decca F R 13619First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | UK | Decca F R 13619First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Wow are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1975 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Canada, UK, US, Barbados and more. One of them is London Records L. 2582.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L. 2582, 5N-230, F R 13619, 5N-230-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-343-4P 1A and M344 2A SNB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
