Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1979
The Boss was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
M000 26D1-65605-D-12BRun-out area A-side [etched]
M00026D1-B-64850-D-12BRun-out area B-side [etched]
65605-DLabel A-side
64850-DLabel B-side
M-1462 F-65605 A-RE1-18BRunout side A, etched
M-1462 F-65608 B -18BRunout side B, etched
M00026D1-65605-D-13B APLRun-out A-side etched
M00026D1-B-64805-D-13B JG AEXRun-out B-side etched
65605-DLabel A-side
64805-DLabel B-side
M-1462F-65606-A-RE1-08ARun-out area side A [hand-etched]
M-1462-B uP M 1462 F 65608B-08BRun-out area side B [hand-etched]
65605Label side A
65608Label side B
M 1462 F65605A-RE1-14AA-Side Runout Etching
M 1462 F 65608-B-14AB-Side Runout Etching
65605A-Side Label
65608B-Side Label
M00026D1-B-64805-D-18ARun-out B-side [etched]
65605-DLabel A-side
64805-DLabel B-side
M00026D1-65605-DH18ARun-out A-side, facing inwards towards label [etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Motown 3782-9154First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | Motown DS 12036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | Motown M 1462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Motown 4C 006-62905First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | Top Tape M-00065First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown MCS-070First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M 00026D1First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M 1462FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M 00026D1First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M 00026D1First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M 1462FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Motown 2C 008-62905 / Motown 2C 008 62.905First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Motown 1C 006-62 905 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-62 905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Motown 3C 006-62905 / Motown 3C 006 62905First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Motown VIP-2761First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Motown TMGLTD 2512", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | 12", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
44 vinyl pressings of The Boss are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Motown M 00026 D1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 00026 D1, M 1462F, M 00026D1, TMG 1150) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M000 26D1-65605-D-12B and M00026D1-B-64850-D-12B. 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.
