Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1979
The Elton John 'Live' Collection 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.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
PDA 047 ARunout side A, record 1, stamped
DAVE'S R.C.A. SHM.942.A3ERunout side A, record 1, etched
SHM.942.B-8 PDA-047 BRunout side B, record 1, etched
PDA 047 CRunout side C, record 2, stamped
SHM 942-A-5 Dave's R.C.A.Runout side A, record 1
SHM 942-B-6 Dave's R.C.A.Runout side B, record 1
SHM + 966 + A Allen Or *Runout side C, record 2
SHM + 966 + B Or * AllenRunout side D, record 2
Side ASHM 942.A.3E DAVES R.C.A
Side BSHM 942 B.4E EJ C
Side CSHM 966.A2. PDA 047 C ALLEN B
Side DSHM 966 B2. J B ALLEN PDA 047 D
SHM-942-A7 DAVE'S R.C.A.Runout side A
SHM.942-B4ERunout side B
SHM + 966 + A ALLENRunout side C
SHM + 966 + B ② ALLENRunout side D
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 | France | K-Tel BLP 7904 / K-Tel BLP 7905First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | K-Tel BLP 7904 / K-Tel BLP 7905First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047 / SHM 942First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 942 / Pickwick Records PDA 047First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047 / Hallmark Records SHM 942First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | K-Tel BLP 7904 / K-Tel BLP 7905LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Pickwick Records SHM 942 / Pickwick Records PDA 047LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Pickwick Records PDA 047 / Pickwick Records SHM 942LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
11 vinyl pressings of The Elton John 'Live' Collection are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, France. One of them is Pickwick Records PDA 047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PDA 047, PDA 047 / SHM 942, SHM 942, BLP 7904) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PDA 047 A and DAVE'S R.C.A. SHM.942.A3E. 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.
