Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1978
Alive Again 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 15 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.
ZSS 164963 1C T sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢA-Side Runout Etching (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 164964 1C T sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢB-Side Runout Etching (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ZSS 164963A-Side Label
ZSS 164964B-Side Label
p ZSS 164963 1AA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 164964 1AB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 164963A-Side Label
ZSS 164964B-Side Label
STERLING ZSS 164963 1F
STERLING ZSS 164964 1E
ZSP 164962 1A STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ZSS 164963 1A STERLING PRunout side B, variant 1
ZSP Z̶S̶S̶ 164962 1A STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
ZSS 164963 1A STERLING PRunout side B, variant 2
ZSP 164962 1C T1 STERLINGRun-out Mono Side
ZSS 164963 1D T1 STERLINGRun-out Stereo Side
ZSP 164962Label Mono Side
ZSS 164963Label Stereo Side
ZSP 164962 1E STERLINGRunout side A
ZSS 164963 1E STERLINGRunout side B
ZSP 164962Mono side label
ZSS 164963Stereo side label
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 | Columbia 23032First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Argentina | Columbia 23.032First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222472First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Discos CBS 34022First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10845First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Colombia | CBS 43458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | CBS 12004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS S 6787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS S 6787 / CBS CBS 6787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | CBS CBS 6787First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 06SP 270First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 06SP 270First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461910First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | CBS SSC 1787First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
27 vinyl pressings of Alive Again are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10845, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10845, S CBS 6787, CBS 6787, BA 222472) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 164963 1C T sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ and ZSS 164964 1C T sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ. 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.
