Vinyl pressings
by Four Tops · 1977
The Show Must Go On was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AB-1014-A-RE-1Runout side A, variant 1
AB-1014-B-RE-1Runout side B, variant 1
AB-1014-A-RE-1 ➄ ARunout side A, variant 2
AB-1014-B-RE-1 ➅Runout side B, variant 2
AB-1014-A-RE-1 ① A1 S1Runout side A
AB-1014-B-RE-1 ① A S1Runout side B
AB-1014-ALabel side A
AB-1014-BLabel side B
AB-1014-A-RE-1 ⑤ 1A PSide A runout
AB-1014-B-RE-1 ⑥ PSide B runout
AB-1014-ALabel side A
AB-1014-BLabel side B
9022-1014-AEtched Side A
9022-1014-BEtched Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | ABC Records 25 536 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 476First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Philippines | ABC Records ABC-1014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | ABC Records 17.1245/9 / Mediterraneo 17.1245/9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | ABC Records 17.1245/9 / Mediterraneo 17.1245/9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-1014 / ABC Records AB1014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-1014 / ABC Records AB1014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-1014 / ABC Records AB1014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | ABC Records 6.26-404-090 / ABC Records 626-404-090LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8116-ABLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Show Must Go On are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is ABC Records AB-1014.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB-1014, ABCL 5223, 9022-1014, 25 536 XOT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB-1014-A-RE-1 and AB-1014-B-RE-1. 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.
