Vinyl pressings
by Don Henley · 1982
Johnny Can't Read was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 12 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.
7-69971-AS -1SP TML x 1-2Runout A, etched, Variant 1
7-69971 BS -1SP + TML x 1-1Runout B, etched, Variant 1
7·69971·AS - 2 SP TML M 1-1Runout B, etched (TML-M stamp) Variant 2
TML-M 7·69971-BS - 3⃥ ⃥ S⃥1⃥1⃥ ⃥ 2 SP 1-1Runout B, etched (TML-M stamp) Variant 2
7-69971-AS -3SHAR TML-M ɑ R-9563-AS3 △ 2157 + SLMSide A Runout, etched (TLM-M and "ɑ" are stamped)
7-69971-BS -3 SHAR TML-X ɑ R-9564-BS3 + SLM △ 2157-XSide B Runout, etched ("ɑ" is stamped)
7-69971-ALabel Side A
7-69971-BLabel Side B
7-69971-AS -1SP TML x 1-2Runout Groove Side A, hand-etched
7-69971 BS -1SP + TML x 1-1Runout Groove Side B, hand-etched
7-69971-ALabel Side A
7-69971-BLabel Side B
7-69971-AM - 2 SP TML-M 1-1Run-out A mono, etched (ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ stamp)
7-69971-AS - 1 SP TML X 1-2Run-out A stereo, etched
7-69971 AM-4 SHAR TML X ɑ R-9562-AM4 △2156 + SLMRunout Mono Side
7-69971-AS B SHAR TML-M ɑ R-9563-AS3 △2157 + SLMRunout Stereo Side
K 13200 A1 F/I W-L W-3 RD STRAWBERRYRunout side A, etched [stamped "STRAWBERRY"]
K 13200 A1 F/I W-L W-4 RD STRAWBERRYRunout side B, etched [stamped "STRAWBERRY"]
K 13200 ALabel side A
K 13200 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Asylum Records 7-69971First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | Elektra ELK 13.202First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Asylum Records KEF 90481First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 99717First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 99717First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Asylum Records KEF 90481First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85031First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Elektra 13202First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Asylum Records 13 311First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 13 200First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | Elektra W 13200First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Asylum Records P-1677First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Peru | Elektra F-ELK 0090480.3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Peru | Elektra F-ELK 0090480.3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Asylum Records 13200First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of Johnny Can't Read are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Asylum Records 7-69971, released August 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69971, 7-69971i, K 13200, ELK 13.202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-69971-AS -1SP TML x 1-2 and 7-69971 BS -1SP + TML x 1-1. 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.
