Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1974
The Night The Light Went On was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
WEA 56058-A I PFRunout A-side, Variant 1
WEA 56058-B PFRunout B-side, Variant 1
WEA 56058-A I PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout A-side, Variant 2
WEA 56058-B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout B-side, Variant 2
WB 56058_A // 15.165 C1 C̷BB̷Runout side A
WB 56058_B // 15.165 C1 OBB̷Runout side B
WB 56058_A // 15.165 C1 C̷BB̷Runout side A
WB 56058_B // 15.165 C1 OBB̷Runout side B
MX174401 WS4553-1Side 1, stamped
MX174402 WS4553-2Side 2, stamped
MPO WEA 56058ASide A
MPO WEA 56058BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WS 4543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56058 / Warner Bros. Records No 56 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records K 56058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records Inc. WBC 1264First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058 Ⓩ / Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058 Ⓩ / Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1977 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058 - Z / Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 32700 / Epic 32700LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1130LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Epic 28-3P-704LP, Advance, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Advance, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic EPC 32700LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 28-3P-704LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56058 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WS 4543LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Night The Light Went On are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Germany, Netherlands, Australia, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 56 058.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 56 058, WB 56 058 Ⓩ, WS 4543, 56058) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA 56058-A I PF and WEA 56058-B PF. 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.
