Vinyl pressings
by Dennis DeYoung · 1984
Desert Moon / Gravity 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.
27 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
A&M AM 02666 A-RCA-2 STERLING I Λ1Runout A
A&M-AM 02666 B RCA-3 STERLING I Λ1Runout B
AM-02666-ALabel A
AM-02666-BLabel B
AM-02666-ALabel A
AM-02666-BLabel B
A&M AM - 02666 A - P-2 P STERLINGRunout side A, etched [STERLING stamped]
A&M AM - 02666 B - P2 P STERLINGRunout side B, etched [STERLING stamped]
AM-02666-ALabel A
AM-02666-BLabel B
AM-02666-AA Side Label
AM-02666-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Barbados | A&M Records AM-2666First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2666First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Costa Rica | A&M Records 7065080First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9798First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | A&M Records AM 218First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | A&M Records AM 218First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | A&M Records 42082First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | A&M Records SAMP 83First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 9515First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Peru | A&M Records CSR 1322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70632First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | A&M Records AMS 9798First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1450First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMX 218First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AM 218First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
31 vinyl pressings of Desert Moon / Gravity are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2666, released August 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2666, SP-17291, AMX 218, AM 218) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M AM 02666 A-RCA-2 STERLING I Λ1 and A&M-AM 02666 B RCA-3 STERLING I Λ1. 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.
