Vinyl pressings
by Elkie Brooks · 1978
Shooting Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AMLH 64695-A2 B A&M SP5/27.M1 TwT ∆23276Runout Side A, stamped [AMLH 64695-A2 B], etched
AMLH 64695-B1 D A&M SP5/27.M2 Twt ∆23276-XRunout Side A, stamped [AMLH 64695-B1 D], etched
AMLH 64695-ALabel Side A
AMLH 64695-BLabel Side B
AMLH64965-A2Side A, stamped, variant 1
A&M SP5127.M1 INT Δ 23276 41 ENGLANDSide A, etched, variant 1
AMLH.64965.B1Side B, stamped, variant 1
A&M SP5128.M2 INT Δ 23276-X 41Side B, etched, variant 1
AMLH 64965-A2 A&M SP5127.M1 INT Δ 23276 DSide A runout
AMLH•64695•B1 Δ 23276-X A&M SP5128-M2 INT HSide B runout
AMLH 64695-ASide A label
AMLH 64695-BSide B label
AMLH.64695.A.3 ALLENSide One Runout
AMLH.64695.B.3Side Two Runout
AMLH 64695 A-4Runout Side A, Variant 1
AMLH 64695-B-3Runout Side B, Variant 1
AMLH 64695 A-4 2 A 1Runout Side A, Variant 2
AMLH 64695-B-3 2 C ARunout Side B, Variant 2
AMLH-64965•A-3 6 ALLEN CSide A runout
AMLH•64965•B1 A&M SP5128-M2 INT 32 Δ 23276-X FSide B runout
AMLH 64695-ASide A label
AMLH 64695-BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L 36595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 064 61523First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4695First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | A&M Records PPSP 4695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4695 / A&M Records SP-5127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Shooting Star are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 64695.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 64695, SP-4695, L 36595, 31C 064 61523) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH 64695-A2 B A&M SP5/27.M1 TwT ∆23276 and AMLH 64695-B1 D A&M SP5/27.M2 Twt ∆23276-X. 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.
