Vinyl pressings
by Carole King · 1977
Hard Rock Cafe was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 19 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.
5C006-85190-A//HL32557-1-Y 5 A. 1 1Runout side A
5C006-85190-B//HL32558-1-Y 4 A. 1 1Runout side B
5C 006-85190-ALabel side A
5C 006-85190-BLabel side B
S45-93965 Z3 #2 · ─◁Runout side A
S45-93969 Z4 · ─◁Runout side B
S-93965Label side A
S-93969Label side B
93965 Z1 4455 #4 0Runout A
93969 Z2 4455 # 1 0Runout B
S-93965Label A
S-93969Label B
SF 93965 - 1 GD NICK W 1Side A runout, stamped/etched
SF 93963 - 1 GG 1Side B runout, stamped/etched
SF 93965
SF 93963
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Capitol Records 1529First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-11504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-11504First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Barbados | Capitol Records 4455First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | Capitol Records 4C006-85190First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Capitol Records S7C 11250First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records 4455First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records 4455First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Capitol Records 4455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | Capitol Records 3 C 006 - 85190 / Capitol Records 3 C 006-85190First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-20302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | EMI Capitol De Mexico, S.A. De C.V. 80687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1977 | Mexico | Capitol Records 8068First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 006-85190 / Capitol Records 5C 006-85 190First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F 4455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Hard Rock Cafe are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Netherlands, US, UK, France and more. One of them is Capitol Records 5C 006-85190.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 006-85190, 4455, CL 15934, P-4455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C006-85190-A//HL32557-1-Y 5 A. 1 1 and 5C006-85190-B//HL32558-1-Y 4 A. 1 1. 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.
