Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham · 1976
Life & Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 13 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-A-765 ST-A-763547A AT/GP PRRunout side A
ST-A-763548-A AT/GP PRRunout side B
ST-A-763547 PRLabel side A
ST-A-763548 PRLabel side B
ST-A-765 ST-A-763547A AT/GP PRCEtched Side A, Variant 1
ST-A-763548-A AT/GP PRCEtched Side B, Variant 1
ST-A-765 ST-A-763547AAA-I AT/GP PRCEtched Side A, Variant 2
ST-A-763548-AAA-I-II AT/GP PRCEtched Side B, Variant 2
ST-A-765 ST-A-763547AA AT/GP Δ20432(1) PRSide One Runout Etched - variant 1
ST-A-763548-AA AT/GP Δ20432(1) PRSide Two Runout Etched - variant 1
ST-A-765 ST-A-763547AA AT/GP NR Δ20432(2) PRSide One Runout Etched - variant 2
ST-A-763547AA AT/GP NR Δ20432-X(1) PRSide Two Runout Etched - variant 2
R 133504AEtched Side A
R 133504BEtched Side B
ST-A-765 ST-A-763547A AT/GP PREtched Side A
ST-A-763548-A AT/GP PREtched Side B
(ST-A-763547 PR)Label Side A
(ST-A-763548 PR)Label Side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Atlantic 14.265First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic 50 253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 253 / Atlantic SD 18166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 253 / Atlantic SD 18166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 50253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 50253 / Atlantic W50253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-10183AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P10183AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18166First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-189 / Hispavox HATS 421-189 (LS)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Atlantic K50253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 253LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 253 / Atlantic SD 18166LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
25 vinyl pressings of Life & Times are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18166.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18166, K50253, 14.265, 50 253) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-765 ST-A-763547A AT/GP PR and ST-A-763548-A AT/GP PR. 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.
