US
July 1976- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 3-10384
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-161955-1C TRunout side A
ZSS·161956-1D TRunout side B
ZSS 161955A Side Label
ZSS 161956B Side Label
Vinyl pressings
(Don't Fear) The Reaper
by Blue Öyster Cult · 1976
27 pressings9 countriesClassic RockRock
(Don't Fear) The Reaper 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.
How to spot a first pressing of (Don't Fear) The Reaper
22 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
US
July 1976- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 3-10384
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-161955-1E MCR Joe SSRunout A
ZSS·161956-1E MCR Joe SRunout B
ZSS 161955Label A
ZSS 161956Label B
US
July 1976- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 3-10384
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
p ZSS-161955-1A MCR JoeRunout side A
p ZSS·161956-1A MCR JoeRunout side B
ZSS 161955A Side Label
ZSS 161956B Side Label
US
July 1976- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 3-10384
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-161955-1BRunout side A
ZSS·161956-1BRunout side B
ZSS 161955A Side Label
ZSS 161956B Side Label
US
1976- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 3-10384
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ZSS 161955
ZSP 161954
UK
1976- Label and catalog number
- CBS S CBS 4483
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Solid Centre
- Runout / matrix
CBS S 4483 A1 C Λ ALLENSide A
CBS S 4483 B1 C ΛSide B
S CBS 4483 A°printed on label side A
S CBS 4483 B°printed on label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 27 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s24 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS BA 222440First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS BA 222233First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS BA 222440First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia 3-10384First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Costa Rica | CBS 11542First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 4483 / CBS 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS 4483 / CBS CBS S 4483First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS 4483 / CBS CBS S 44837", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS 4483 / CBS CBS S 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS 4483 / CBS CBS S 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461699First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS BA 4616997", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Spain | CBS CBS 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 4483First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2222337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Columbia 13-333487", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-333487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A(Don't Fear) The Reaper3:45
- BTattoo Vampire2:40
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of (Don't Fear) The Reaper are there?
27 vinyl pressings of (Don't Fear) The Reaper are listed here, from 9 countries.
When was (Don't Fear) The Reaper first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10384, released July 1976.
How do I tell if my copy of (Don't Fear) The Reaper is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10384, S CBS 4483, BA 222233, BA 222440) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-161955-1C T and ZSS·161956-1D T. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is (Don't Fear) The Reaper on vinyl worth?
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.
