Vinyl pressings
by David Essex · 1973
Rock On was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 16 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.
CBS S 1693 A1 C1Side A runout, stamped. Variant 1
CBS S 1693 B1 CCSide B runout, stamped. Variant 1
CBS S 1693 A1 CSide A runout, stamped. Variant 2
CBS S 1693 B1 ΛSide B runout, stamped. Variant 2
CBS S 1693 A1 C1A Side
CBS S 1693 B1 C1B Side
ZSS1588560-1H TIIIIRunout A var. 1
ZSS1588561-1G TIIIIIRunout B var. 1
ZSS1588560-1H TIRunout A var. 2
ZSS1588561-1G TIIIIIIRunout B var. 2
ZSS158560-1B PRunout A
ZSS158561-1A PRunout B
ZSS 158560Label A
ZSS 158561Label B
ZSS158560-1BRunout A
ZSS158561-1ARunout B
ZSS 158560Label A
ZSS 158561Label B
ZSS1588560-1DA side runout (stamped)
ZSS1588561-1DB side runout (stamped)
ZSS 158560A side - label
ZSS 158561B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Columbia BA-222012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | CBS BA-222012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia 4-45940First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Colombia | CBS 42930First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | CBS CBS 1693 / CBS 1693First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS S 1693 / CBS CBS 1693First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS S 1693 / CBS CBS 1693First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | CBS CBS 301409First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Italy | CBS CBS 1693First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPB-258First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461475First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461475First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Portugal | CBS CBS 1693First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | CBS SSC,1278First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS CBS 1693First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 16937", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 1693 / CBS 16937", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
30 vinyl pressings of Rock On are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is CBS S CBS 1693, released July 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CBS 1693, 4-45940, BA-222012, 42930) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS S 1693 A1 C1 and CBS S 1693 B1 CC. 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.
