Vinyl pressings
by Brothers Johnson · 1978
Blam!! 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.
27 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 16 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.
A&M SP5165-M1 (MR) △23536 (4)Runout A variant 1
A&M SP5166-M1 (MR) △23536-X (6)Runout B variant 1
A&M SP5165-M1 (MR) △23536 <3>Runout A variant 2
A&M SP5166-M1 (MR) △23536-X <3>Runout B variant 2
2T A&M SP5165-T4Runout A, etched, Var. 1
1T A&M SP5166-T1Runout B, etched, Var. 1
T1 A&M SP5165-T3Runout A, etched, Var. 2
T2 A&M SP5166-T2Runout B, etched, Var. 2
SP5165-P1Side A, etched, variant 1
SP5166-P1Side B, etched, variant 1
A&M5165-P3Side A, etched, variant 2
A&M SP5166-P2Side B, etched, variant 2
A+M5165-P3Runout side A etched
A+M SP5166-M9 Δ 23536-XRunout side B etched
PRunout side A stamped
MRRunout side B stamped, circled
A&M SP5165-P2Side A, etched
A&M SP5166-P4 =Side B, etched
DSide A, stamped
SP5165Matrix A, on label
A&M PR 5165-F2 ⒻSide A runout area
A&M PR 5166-F2 ⒻSide B runout area
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | A&M Records 8581First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L 36674First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-51651First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 064 61574 DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64714First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | A&M Records AMLH 64714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2091First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | A&M Records SLAM-112 / A&M Records 33C 062-61574First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36674First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | A&M Records SP-4714First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
31 vinyl pressings of Blam!! are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Philippines, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4714, released July 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4714, PR 4714, AMLH 64714, 8581) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP5165-M1 (MR) △23536 (4) and A&M SP5166-M1 (MR) △23536-X (6). 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.
