US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCD-825
- Format
- LP, Album
Vinyl pressings
Friends
by B.B. King · 1974
26 pressings13 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Friends
19 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 12 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.
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCD-825
- Format
- LP, Album
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCD-825
- Format
- LP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ABCD-825-A-ARunout side A hand etched
ABCD-825-B-BRunout side B hand etched
ABCD-825 ALabel side A
ABCD-825 BLabel side B
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCD-825
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCD-825
- Format
- LP, Promo, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ABCD-825-ALabel side A
ABCD-825-BXLabel side B
UK
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABCL 5051
- Format
- LP, Album
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 26 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s24 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | EMI-Odeon S.A.I.C. 8063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | Probe SPBA-3074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC Records ABCD-825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC Records ABCD-825First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Probe 2C 064-95811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 056-95 811First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | ABC Records ABCD-825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPP-80038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPS 80038First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPS 80038First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Mexico | Probe QLEM-541First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062 - 95 811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP 8066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABCD-825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | ABC Records ABCD-825LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records ABCD-825LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Friends4:44
- A2I Got Them Blues4:31
- A3Baby I'm Yours3:28
- A4Up At 5 AM3:15
- B1Philadelphia6:03
- B2When Everything Else Is Gone3:08
- B3My Song3:57
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Friends are there?
26 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1974 and 1976.
When was Friends first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD-825.
How do I tell if my copy of Friends is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD-825, ABCL 5051, 8063, SPBA-3074) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Friends on vinyl worth?
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.
