Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1975
Fame was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
RCA - 2579 A - IE 'W'Runout side A, variant 1
RCA - 2579 B - IE 'W'Runout side B, variant 1
RCA - 2579 A - IE A2J 'W'Runout side A, variant 2
RCA - 2579 B - IE 'W' A2IRunout side B, variant 2
RCA - 2579 - A - 1ERunout side A, etched variant 1
RCA - 2579 - B - 1ERunout side B, etched variant 1
RCA - 2579 - A - 1E A3 2 "W" ⋀Runout side A, etched variant 2
RCA - 2579 - A - 1E 'W' A3 ⋀ 2Runout side B, etched variant 2
RCA - 2579 - A - 1ERunout side A, etched
RCA - 2579 - B - 1ERunout side B, etched
RCA 2579 ALabel side A
RCA 2579 BLabel side B
RCA-2579-A-IESide A runout, etched
RCA-2579-B-IESide B runout, etched
RCA 2579 ASide A label
RCA 2579 BSide B label
PB-10320- A - 2S H KENDUN-ASide A Runout, variant 1
PB-10320- B - 2S H KENDUN-ASide B Runout, variant 1
PB-10320-A-3S KENDUN A A4Side A Runout, variant 2
PB-10320-B-3S KENDUN A A2Side B Runout, variant 2
PB-10320-A-3S KENDUN-A I A2Runout, side A, variant 1
PB-10320-B-3S KENDUN-A I A1Runout, side B, variant 1
PB-10320-A-3S KENDUN-A I A3Runout, side A, variant 2
PB-10320-B-3S KENDUN-A I A2Runout, side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Victor 102639First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Brazil | RCA 101.4067First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Brazil | RCA 101.4067First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Ecuador | RCA ECK-200431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | El Salvador | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | El Salvador | RCA Victor PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA PB-10320First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor RCS 4001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA SS-2482First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA SS-2482First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 507 / RCA RCA 25797", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 5077", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Parlophone 08256461161577", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Parlophone DBFAME407", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
43 vinyl pressings of Fame are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1975 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Germany, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2579, released August 18, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2579, PB-10320, JB-10320, PB 10320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA - 2579 A - IE 'W' and RCA - 2579 B - IE 'W'. 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.
