Vinyl pressings
by Edwin Starr · 1979
H.A.P.P.Y. Radio / My Friend 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.
41 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 20 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.
K-10757 TCD-76-AS-A-10 GOLRunout Side A, Etched
K-10758 TCD-76-BS-B-II GOLRunout Side B, Etched
TCD-76-AS-ALabel Side A
TCD-76-BS-BLabel Side B
M-2408-AS-A- 3SRunout side A, etched
M-2408-BS-B-3SRunout side B, etched
M-2408-AS-ALabel side A
M-2408-BS-BLabel side B
T1 M-2408-AS-1-10Runout Side A Etching
T1 M-2408-BS-1-10Runout Side B Etching
M-2408-AS-AMatrix Side A
M-2408-BS-BMatrix Side B
ΛI C TCD 76 AS-A-2S ISide A runout
ΛI B TCD 76 -BS-B-1S ISide B runout
TCD-76-AS-ASide A label
TCD-76-BS-BSide B label
TCD 77-AS-A-1S I A2BA-Side Run-Out
TCD 77-BS-B-1S I A2A EB-Side Run-Out
TCD-77-AS-AA-Side Label
TCD-77-BS-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records TDS-064First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records 103438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Austria | 20th Century Fox Records 6162 156First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Belgium | 20th Century Fox Records 6162 156First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Brazil | 20th Century Records 6162157First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records TCD-76First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | 20th Century Records TC-2408First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | 20th Century Fox Records PC 8394 / 20th Century Records PC 8394First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | 20th Century Fox Records PB 8396 / 20th Century Records PB 8396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | 20th Century Fox Records 6162 156 / 20th Century Records 6162 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | 20th Century Fox Records 9198 235 / Phonogram 9198 235First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Greece | 20th Century Records 9198 235First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | Italy | 20th Century Fox Records 6162 156First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | 20th Century Fox Records 9198 235First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records CM-239First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
41 vinyl pressings of H.A.P.P.Y. Radio / My Friend are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records TCD-76.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TCD-76, TC-2408, TCD-77-DJ, TC-2408-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K-10757 TCD-76-AS-A-10 GOL and K-10758 TCD-76-BS-B-II GOL. 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.
