Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1983
Rock 'n' Roll Is King was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
A 3500 A3Etched runout, side A, variant 1
A 3500 B1Etched runout, side B, variant 1
A-3500-A-3 ΛEtched runout, side A, variant 2
A-3500-B-3 ΛEtched runout, side B, variant 2
A 3500·A 2 1 5 Λ TIMTOMRunout side A, etched
A-3500·B·1 2 7 Λ TYRunout side B, etched
A 3500 A*Label side A
A 3500 B*Label side B
A 3500·A 2 Λ TIMTOMRunout side A, etched
A-3500·B 2 Λ TYRunout side B, etched
A 3500 A*Label side A
A 3500 B*Label side B
A 3500 A*
A 3500 B*
A-3500-A-3A-side
A-3500-B-3B-side
A.3500.A-3 timtom CRunout side A - variant 1
A-3500.B-1 TY CRunout side B - variant 1
A.3500.A-3 timtom C CRunout side A - variant 2
A-3500.B-1 TY C DRunout side B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Discos CBS DEP 311First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JS 028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JS 029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JS 12002First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JS 12002First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | CBS 52.009First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Epic 46576First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Jet Records ZS4 03964First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | Epic 7045413First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ecuador | CBS 833-0029First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JET 7034First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JET 12-7034First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Jet Records JET 7034First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS A 3500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS TA 3500First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
40 vinyl pressings of Rock 'n' Roll Is King are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Jet Records A 3500, released June 18, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A 3500, TA 3500, ZS4 03964, JS 029) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A 3500 A3 and A 3500 B1. 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.
