Vinyl pressings
by Bay City Rollers · 1975
Once Upon A Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SYBEL 8001 A-3U X 5 MELYSRunout side A - variant 1
SYBEL 8001 B-3U X G MELVRunout side B - variant 1
SYBEL 8001 A-3U MELYS O M V 2Runout side A - variant 2
SYBEL 8001 B -3U MELV HOV 5Runout side B - variant 2
SYBEL 8001 A-3U MELYSRunout side A, variant 1
SYBEL 8001 B -3U 3 MELVRunout side B, variant 1
SYBEL 8001 A-3U MELYS 1 TARunout side A, variant 2
SYBEL 8001 B -3U 3 MELV 1 TDRunout side B, variant 2
SYBEL 8001 A 100Runout side A, variant 1
SYBEL 8001 B 100Runout side B, variant 1
SYBEL.8001ALabel side A
SYBEL.8001BLabel side B
BLPO-20A1 1A1Side A Runout
BLPO-20B1 1A2Side B Runout
SYBEL8001 A Y0SX399Stamped Side A
SYBEL8001 B Y0SX400Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Argentina | Arista 6837First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Argentina | Arista 6837First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Australia | Bell Records SYBEL 8001 / Bell Records SYBEL-8001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Bell Records 4C062-96506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Bell Records BLL 36002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Bell Records 1C 062-96 506 / EMI Electrola 1C 062-96 506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Israel | Bell Records SYBEL 8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Arista BLPO-20-ARFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Bell Records SYBEL 8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Bell Records 5C 062-96506First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Bell Records SBLL 6102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Portugal | Bell Records 8E 062 - 96 506First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | Scandinavia | Arista SYBEL 8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Bell Records BLPJ(L) 2003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Bell Records 1J 062-96506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Arista 27 581 8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Arista 1C 062-96 506 / Bell Records 1C 062-96 506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Arista SYBEL 8001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Bell Records SYBEL 8001LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Once Upon A Star are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1975 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Bell Records SYBEL 8001, released April 11, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SYBEL 8001, BLPO-20-AR, 6837, 4C062-96506) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SYBEL 8001 A-3U X 5 MELYS and SYBEL 8001 B-3U X G MELV. 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.
