Vinyl pressings
by Bad Company · 1979
Desolation Angels was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 24 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.
ST-SS-784211-A B O-1SM1-2 STRAWBERRY (PR) SISide A runout, variant 1
ST-SS-784212 B O-1 STRAWBERRY (PR) SPSide B runout, variant 1
ST-SS-784211-A B O-1 STRAWBERRY (PR) SPSide A runout, variant 2
ST-SS-784212-B O-1 STRAWBERRY (PR) SPSide B runout, variant 2
ST-SS-784211 - A B STRAWBERRY (PR)PSide A runout, variant 1
ST-SS-784212 - B STRAWBERRY (PR)PSide B runout, variant 1
ST-SS-784211 - A B STRAWBERRY (PR)PSide A runout, variant 2
ST-SS-784212 B STRAWBERRY PR PSide B runout, variant 2
ST-SS-784211-A BBB+-1-11 STRAWBERRY (PR)Side A etched, variant 1
ST-SS-784212 BBB-1-111 STRAWBERRY PRCSide B etched, variant 1
ST-SS-784211-A BBB-1 STRAWBERRY (PR) PRCSide A etched, variant 2
ST-SS-784212 BBB-1 STRAWBERRY PRCSide B etched, variant 2
ST-SS-784211-A BB M3 MR STRAWBERRY A △24150 10Runout A variant 1
ST-SS-784212 BB-MI MR STRAWBERRY △24150 XRunout B variant 1
ST-SS-784211-A BB M2 MR STRAWBERRY △24150 (2) (PR)Runout A variant 2
ST-SS-784212 - BB M3 STRAWBERRY MR △24150 X (9) (PR)Runout B variant 2
ST-SS-784211 - A B 3B-1 111 STRAWBERRYSide A runout
ST-SS-784212 - BBB +++ - STRAWBERRYSide B runout
ST-SS-784211-RISide A label
ST-SS-784212-RISide B label
ST - SS - 784211 - A B B - MIMR STRAWBERRY △24150 3 (PR)Runout Etched Side A
ST - SS - 784212 B MIMR STRAWBERRY SPRunout Etched Side B
ST-SS-784211-SPLabel Matrix Side A
ST-SS-784212-SPLabel Matrix 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Swan Song 208630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Swan Song SS 8506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Belgium | Swan Song SS 59408 / Swan Song SS 8506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Swan Song 40.003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Swan Song KSS 8506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Swan Song KSS 8506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Colombia | Swan Song 23(7331)00130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Swan Song 59 408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Atlantic 0175 / Atlantic A 0175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Atlantic 59408LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Swan Song P-10490NFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Swan Song P-10490NFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Swan Song GWEA -5359First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Rhino Records / Swan Song 603497849338LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Rhino Records R1 607224 / Swan Song 603497849338LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2025 | US | Swan Song SS 8506 / Analogue Productions APA 058-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | Swan Song SS 8506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 0175 / Swan Song SS 8506LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Middle East | Swan Song SS 59 408 / Swan Song SS 8506LP, Album | LP, Album |
54 vinyl pressings of Desolation Angels are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1979 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Germany, Argentina and more. One of them is Swan Song SS 8506.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SS 8506, SSK 59408, SS 59408, 208630) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-SS-784211-A B O-1SM1-2 STRAWBERRY (PR) SI and ST-SS-784212 B O-1 STRAWBERRY (PR) SP. 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.
