Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1971
Rock Steady was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 16 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.
A-21312-12-RE AT/DK △86423A-side runout, variant 1
A-20485-5 AT/DK △86372B-side runout, variant 1
A - 21312 - 11 - RE [MR logo] AT/DK △86423 WA-side runout, variant 2
A - 20485 - 5 [MR logo] AT/DK △86372 WB-side runout, variant 2
A-21312-10 AT/DK WRunout A
A-20548-3 AT/DK WRunout B
A-21312-PLLabel A
A-20548-PLLabel B
A-21312-7 AT/DK W 88PPSRunout, Side A
A-20485-1 A2871 S AT/DK W 0PPSRunout, Side B
A-21312LYPrinted on label, Side A
A-20548LYPrinted on label, Side B
ST-A-20485-1 AT/GP 11-3-71A-Side Runout
w A-20485-2 9-28-71 SRC AT/DKB-Side Runout
ST-A-20485-SPA-Side Label
A-20485-SPB-Side Label
A-21312-7 SRC AT/DK WA
A-20485-2 9.28.71 SRC AT/DK WB
ST-A-21312-1 AT/AP 9.28.71Etched Stereo Side
A-2312-8 SRC AT/DK WEtched Mono Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Brazil | ATCO Records 2091168First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT. 2838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT. 2838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 084 / Atlantic 10084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Atlantic 10.084 / Atlantic ATL 10 084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2838First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2838First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-1093AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Lebanon | Atlantic AT 16003First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Lebanon | Atlantic AT 16003First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Atlantic 2091 168First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Norway | Atlantic ATL 10.084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-117First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 564First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Japan | Atlantic WQJP-121 / Warner Music Japan WQJP-1217", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atlantic AT 28387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of Rock Steady are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1971 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2838, released October 11, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2838, 2838, 2091-168, 2091168) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-21312-12-RE AT/DK △86423 and A-20485-5 AT/DK △86372. 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.
