US
October 1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
p ZSS-165251-1A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
STERLING p ZSS-165253-1BB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 165251A-Side Label
ZSS 165253B-Side Label
BostonA Man I'll Never Be
Vinyl pressings
A Man I'll Never Be
by Boston · 1978
20 pressings11 countriesPop RockRock
A Man I'll Never Be was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 A Man I'll Never Be
17 pressings came out in 1978, 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
October 1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
T ZSS - 165251 - 1C ᵀᴵVar. 1: Run-out Side A
T ZSS- 165253 1C sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ ᵀᴵVar. 1: Run-out Side B
T ZSS - 165251 - 1D sterling t1Var. 2: Run-out A side
T Zss - 165253 - 1D sterling T1Var. 2: Run-out B side
US
October 1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-165251-1E STERLING SSA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-165253-1E STERLING SSSSB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 165251A-Side Label
ZSS 165253B-Side Label
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", Promo, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
ZSS 165252Label long side
ZSS 165254Label short side
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-165252-1D STERLING T1Runout long side
ZSS-165254-1C Boston DJ STERLING T1Runout short side
ZSS 165252Label long side
ZSS 165254Label short side
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50638
- Format
- 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS-165252-1E STERLING SSSRunout long side
ZSS-165254-1E BOSTON DJ STERLING SSSSRunout short side
ZSS 165252Label long side
ZSS 165254Label short side
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ES 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic 8-50638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1978 | Germany | Epic EPC 6837 / Epic EPC S 6837First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Epic EPC S 6837 / Epic EPC 6837First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | Epic EPC 6837First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 06-5P-14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 6837First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Epic BA 461932First yearSingle, 7" | Single, 7" |
| 1978 | UK | Epic S EPC 6837First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Epic ES 3227", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Costa Rica | Epic 452677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AA Man I'll Never Be3:49
- BDon't Be Afraid3:42
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of A Man I'll Never Be are there?
20 vinyl pressings of A Man I'll Never Be are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
When was A Man I'll Never Be first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Epic 8-50638, released October 1978.
How do I tell if my copy of A Man I'll Never Be is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8-50638, S EPC 6837, EPC 6837, 06-5P-14) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS-165251-1A STERLING and STERLING p ZSS-165253-1B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is A Man I'll Never Be 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.
