Vinyl pressings
by B.B. King · 1969
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
15723 R_ [MR logo] △75658Side A Runout
15725 R_ [MR logo] △75659Side B Runout
45-15723Side A Label
45-15725Side B Label
AMP 45-15723Side A Label
AMP 45-15725Side B Label
15725 R-Runout, side A, etched
15723 RRunout, side B, etched
AMP 45-15725Label side A
AMP 45-15723Label side B
ABS 61-ASide A Label
ABS 61-BSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Stateside OSS-8829First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | BluesWay BLS-61024First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | BluesWay 45-61024First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | BluesWay 45-61024First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | BluesWay 45-61024First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Bluesway 61024First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Bluesway 45-BL-61024 / ABC Records 45-BL-61024First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1969 | South Africa | ABC-Paramount ABS 61First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Stateside OSS-88297", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Stateside 2C 006-90 307 M7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | France | Stateside 2C 006-90.307 M7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | ABC Records 610247", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Bluesway 45-BL-610247", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, South Africa, Canada, Australia. One of them is Bluesway 45-BL-61024, released April 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-BL-61024, 45-61024, 61024, ABS 61) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 15723 R_ [MR logo] △75658 and 15725 R_ [MR logo] △75659. 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.
