Vinyl pressings
by Barry De Vorzon · 1979
Theme From "The Warriors" 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.
13 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AMS 7442 A1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀AMS 12619-S M1 △ 105783 ENGLANDRunout, A-side, stamped/etched
AMS 7442 B1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀ AMS 12620-S M2 △ 105783-X ENGLANDRunout, B-side, stamped/etched
AMS 7442 A1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀Runout, A-side, stamped
AMS 12619-S M1 △ 105783 ENGLANDRunout, A-side, etched
AMS 7442 B1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀Runout, B-side, stamped
AMS 12620-S M2 △ 105783-X ENGLANDRunout, B-side, etched
I A 2̶ 2 AM12619-S RC1A-Side Runout Etching
I A1 AM12620-S R̶C̶ ̶1̶ RC1B-Side Runout Etching
I A 5 AM12619-S RC1Variant 2 A-Side Runout Etching
I A1 AM12620-S R̶C̶ ̶1̶ RC1Variant 2 B-Side Runout Etching
MX54329Side A label
MX54330Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records K-7482First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 7607 / A&M Records AM 2129First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7607 / A&M Records AMS S 7607First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 7607First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1280First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7442First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records 2129-S / A&M Records 2129First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records 2129-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7442First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7442First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Theme From "The Warriors" are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 7442, released June 29, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 7442, 2129-S, K-7482, AMS 7607) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 7442 A1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀AMS 12619-S M1 △ 105783 ENGLAND and AMS 7442 B1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ⋀ AMS 12620-S M2 △ 105783-X ENGLAND. 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.
