Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1974
Rock 'N' Roll Suicide was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
LPBO-5021-A-1E : ·Runout side A, stamped
LPBO-5021-B-1E ⋀Runout side B, stamped
LPBO 5021ALabel side A
LPBO 5021BLabel side B
LPBO-5021-A-1E ∴Runout side A, stamped
LPBO-5021-B-1E ∴Runout side B, stamped
LPBO 5021ALabel side A
LPBO 5021BLabel side B
LPBO-5021-A-1ERunout side A
LPBO-5021-B-1ERunout side B
LPBO 5021ALabel side A
LPBO 5021BLabel side B
LPBO-5021-A-1E A 15Runout side A, stamped
LPBO-5021-B-1E ARunout side B, stamped
LPBO 5021ALabel side A
LPBO 5021BLabel side B
LPBO-5021-A-1E 2 ΛRunout side A, stamped
LPBO-5021-B-1E 15 ΛRunout side B, stamped
LPBO 5021ALabel side A
LPBO 5021BLabel side B
LPBO - 5021 - A - 2E A1B 'W'Side A Etched
LPBO - 5021 - B - 2E A1B 'W'Side B Etched
LPBO 5021 ALabel, Side A
LPBO 5021 BLabel, Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Germany | RCA LPBO-5O21 / RCA Victor LPBO-5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RCA Victor LPBO-5021 / RCA LPBO-5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Ireland | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Turkey | RCA Victor 74905 / RCA 74905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO5O21First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor LPBO5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | RCA SRCA-88751 / Jugoton SRCA-88751First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPBO 5021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 503 / RCA LPBO 50217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 503 / RCA LPBO 50217", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 503 / RCA LPBO 50217", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Parlophone DBROCK 40 / Parlophone 08256463359477", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Morgot Records 005Flexi-disc, 5½", Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
25 vinyl pressings of Rock 'N' Roll Suicide are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1974 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor LPBO 5021, released April 11, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPBO 5021, LPBO5021, LPBO5O21, LPBO-5O21) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LPBO-5021-A-1E : · and LPBO-5021-B-1E ⋀. 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.
