Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1984
Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
EA 187 A-2-1-1-10 NICKZ PenthouseA side - variant 1
EA 187 B-1-1-1-15B side - variant 1
EA 187 A-2-1-1-17 NICKZ PenthouseA side - variant 2
EA 187 B-1-1-1-15B side - variant 2
EA 157 A-2-1 Q2-3A Side - stamped
EA 157 B-2-1 Q2-1B Side - stamped
12EA 187 A-1-1-4- NICKZ PenthouseRunout, side A
12EA 187 A-1-1-3-Runout, side B
12EA 187ALabel, side A
12EA 187BLabel, side B
EA 187 A-2-1-1-10 NICKZ PenthouseVariant 1 Runout side A, stamped
EA 187 B-1-1-1-15Variant 1 Runout side B, stamped
EA-187 A-2-1-1-3 NICKZ PenthouseVariant 2 Runout side A, stamped
EA-187-B-2-1-1-3Variant 2 Runout side B, stamped
EA 187 A-2-1-1-10 NICKZ PenthouseVariant 1 Runout side A
EA 187 B-1-1-1-15Variant 1 Runout side B
EA-187 A-2-1-1-3 NICKZ PenthouseVariant 2 Runout side A
EA-187-B-2-1-1-3Variant 2 Runout side B
B-8246 - S - 45 - 501612 - Z - 2 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ 0 stamps), variant 1
B-8246 - S - 45 - 501617 - Z - 1 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side B etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ 0 stamps), variant 1
B-8246-S-45-501612-Z-2 #3 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ 0 stamps), variant 2
B-8246-S-45-501617-Z-2 #1 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side B etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ 0 stamps), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America ED 101First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1392First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America ED 101First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America V-75085First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America B-8246First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America B-8246First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-20 0443 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006 20 0443 7 / EMI America 1C 006-20 0443 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 2004437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 20044377", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 2004437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 1C K 052 20 0443 6 / EMI America 052 20 0443 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 200443612", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 20044377", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI America 06 2004437First year7", Single | 7", Single |
41 vinyl pressings of Tonight are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is EMI America EA 187, released November 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EA 187, 12EA 187, B-8246, V-7846-1/2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EA 187 A-2-1-1-10 NICKZ Penthouse and EA 187 B-1-1-1-15. 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.
