Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1974
The Entertainer was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 5 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.
T ZSS-159589- 1G ᵀᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵRun-out Side A, etched
T ZSS 159590- 1G [Artisan] ᵀᴵᴵRun-out Side B, etched
ZSS 159589A-side label
ZSS 159590B-side label
ZSS 159589-1D [Artisan logo] pA Side Runout, Etched
ZSS 159590-1D [Artisan logo] pB Side Runout, Etched
ZSS 159589A Side Label
ZSS 159590B Side Label
p ZSP 159588-1C [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 159589-1D [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
ZSP 159588Label side A
ZSS 159589Label side B
ZSP 159588-1A [Artisan logo] SSRunout side A
ZSS 159589-1B [Artisan logo] SSRunout side B
ZSP 159588Label side A
ZSS 159589Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS BA 222249First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461585First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | CBS 3484First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10064 / Family Productions 3-10064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS CBS S 3484 / CBS CBS 34847", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS CBS 3484 / CBS CBS S 34847", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Entertainer are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10064, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10064, BA 222249, BA 461585, 3484) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS-159589- 1G ᵀᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵ and T ZSS 159590- 1G [Artisan] ᵀᴵᴵ. 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.
