Vinyl pressings
by Eddie And The Hot Rods · 1977
Life On The Line was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 11 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.
I - 5 ILPS 9509 - A 1 EG JoNzRunout side A, etched, variant 1
I - 3 ILPS 9509 B 1 EG TridentRunout side B, etched, variant 1
I - 9 ILPS 9509 A - EG JoNzRunout side A, etched, variant 2
I - 10 ILPS 9509 B - EG TRIDENTRunout side B, etched, variant 2
ILPS 9509 A-1 MRunout side A
ILPS 9509 B-1 MRunout side B
ILPS-9509-A-S2 A2 ISRunout Side A, etched
ILPS-9509-B∙S1 A6 ISRunout Side B, etched
STERLINGRunout Sides A and B, stamped
TI ILPS-9509-A-T2 STERLING A9Runout side A, variant 1
TI ILPS-9509-B-T2 STERLING B1Runout side B, variant 1
TI ILPS-9509-A-T1 B STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
TI ILPS-9509-B-T2 STERLING A4Runout side B, variant 2
P ILPS-9509-ARunout Side A, etched, variant 1
P ILPS-9509-B-P2Runout Side B, etched, variant 1
STERLINGRunout Sides A and B, stamped, variant 1
P ILPS-9509-A STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Island Records L-36434First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Benelux | Island Records 25 501 XOT / Island Records 25 501 XATFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Island Records 9123 025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Island Records 9123 025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Island Records 25 501 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Island Records 25 501 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Island Records L36434First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Island Records 5009509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Island Records ILPS 9509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records ILPS 9509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Life On The Line are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9509.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9509, L-36434, 25 501 XOT, 9123 025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I - 5 ILPS 9509 - A 1 EG JoNz and I - 3 ILPS 9509 B 1 EG Trident. 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.
