Vinyl pressings
by Dionne & Friends · 1985
That's What Friends Are For was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 23 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.
AS1-9422-SA-1 I Λ2Runout A version 1
AS1 9422 SB RCA1 I STERLING Λ2Runout B version 1
AS1-9422-SA-1 I A1Runout A version 2
AS1 9422 SB- RCA1 I STERLING A3Runout B version 2
AS1-9422-SARunout, Side A, Etched
AS1-9422-SB-PW2Runout, Side B, Etched
STERLINGRunout, Side B, Stamped
AS1-9422-SALabel Side A
AS1-9422-AS - SHI ɑ R-14996 - SHI SLM ᐃ10907 1-1A Side, Runout, Etched / except 'ɑ' Stamped
AS1-9422-SB - ⁄|⁄|⁄ǀ⁄⁄ǀ⁄|⁄⁄ǀ⁄ S⁄|⁄⁄|⁄HI ɑ R-15018-SHI SLM ᐃ10907-X 1-1B Side, Runout, Etched / except 'ɑ' Stamped
AS1-9422-SAA Side, Label
AS1-9422-SBB Side, Label
AS1-9422-SA1Runout, Side A, Etched
SRCRunout, Side A, Stamped
AS1-9422-SB-SR1Runout, Side B, Etched
SRCRunout, Side B, Stamped
ARISTA 12638 A //1▽420U 1 2Runout side A, stamped
ARISTA 12638 B //1▽420U 11Runout side B, stamped
ARIST 12638-ALabel side A
ARIST 12638-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Arista K-9863First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Barbados | Arista AS1-9422First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Brazil | Arista 101.8321First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AS1-9422First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Colombia | Arista 28(0111)00001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 602 119First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 107 775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 107 775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Arista AS-1-9422First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 638First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Israel | Arista MS 602119First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Arista ARS 37135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Arista 107 775First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Arista AS1-9422-SBFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | Arista 107 795 / Arista S-1064First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Flashback Records AFS-9480 / Arista AFS-94807", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Flashback Records AFS-9480 / Arista AFS-94807", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
45 vinyl pressings of That's What Friends Are For are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AS 1-9422, released October 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 1-9422, AS1-9422, ARIST 12638, ARIST 638) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS1-9422-SA-1 I Λ2 and AS1 9422 SB RCA1 I STERLING Λ2. 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.
