Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Valli · 1978
Grease 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.
61 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 27 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.
1-2 RS-897 AS-SP1 KENDUN-A JGVersion 1 A-side runout
RS-897-BS-SP1 SRC 1-2 KENDUN-AVersion 1 B-side runout
RS-897 AS-SP1 KENDUN-A JG I-IVersion 2 A-side runout
RS-897-BS-SP1 SRC 1-3 KENDUN-AVersion 2 B-side runout
A Side RS-897-AS - MCA P-2 KENDUN-B JG ◈-P-◈Run-out Side A, etched & stamped
B side RS-897-BS - MCA P-2 KENDUN-B JG ◈-P-◈Run-out Side B, etched & stamped
RS897ASLabel Side A
RS897BSLabel Side B
RS-897 AS CP1 KENDUN-A JG pRunout side-A
RS-897 BS CP1 KENDUN-A JG pRunout side-B
(RS 897 AS)A-Side Label
(RS 897 BS)B-Side Label
RS-897 AS PP2 KENDUN-A JGSide A Runout, Etched and Stamped
RS-897 BS PP1 KENDUN-BSide A Runout, Etched and Stamped
RS 897 ASA-Side Label
RS 897BSB-Side Label
RS-897-AS -PRC-R2-1-1111 36 PRC KENDUN-BA runout, variant 1
RS-897-BS -PRC-R2-1-111 PRC KENDUN-BB runout, variant 1
RS-897-AS -PRC-R2-1-1111 36 PRC KENDUN-BA runout, variant 2
RS-897-BS -PRC-R2-1-1 PRC KENDUN-BB runout, variant 2
RS-897 AS CS1 KENDUN-A JG SlRunout, side A
RS-897 BS CS1 KENDUN-A JG SlRunout, side B
RS 897 ASA-side label
RS 897 BSB-side 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 | Unknown | RSO RS 897 / RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | Argentina | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Austria | RSO 2090 294First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Austria | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | RSO 2090 294First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Brazil | RSO 2090 294First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS 897 / Polydor RS 897First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS 897First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Central America | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Chile | RSO 2090 294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ecuador | RSO 45 71022 / RSO RS 897First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Polydor 871 916-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RSO TOP 0057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2090 2947", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | RSO RSO 12 / RSO 2090 2947", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | US | RSO RS 80147", Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | Polydor 871 916-77", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | RSO RS 80147", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor RS 80147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | RSO RS 80147", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| ? | US | RSO RS 80147", Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", Single, Reissue, Styrene |
71 vinyl pressings of Grease are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1978 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is RSO RS 897, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 897, RSO 012, 2090 294, 45 71022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-2 RS-897 AS-SP1 KENDUN-A JG and RS-897-BS-SP1 SRC 1-2 KENDUN-A. 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.
