Vinyl pressings
by Garland Jeffreys · 1981
Rock & Roll Adult was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
AL - 37436 01-8XX07-1A-1 A 53Side A runout stamped, AL-37436 etched, variant 1
BL - 37436 MASTERDISK 01-85307-1B-1 BSide B runout stamped, BL-37436 etched, variant 1
AL - 37436 01-85307-1A-1 BSide A runout stamped, AL-37436 etched, variant 2
BL - 37436 MASTERDISK 01-8XX07-1B-1 A 53Side B runout stamped, BL-37436 etched, variant 2
AL - 37436 MASTERDISK RL 01-85307-2A-1 ASide A runout stamped, AL-37436 RL etched, variant 1
BL - 37436 - MASTERDISK RL 01-85307-2B-1 ASide B runout stamped, BL-37436 RL etched, variant 1
AL - 37436 01-85307-1A-1 BSide A runout stamped, AL-37436 etched, variant 2
BL - 37436 - MASTERDISK RL 01-85307-2B-1 ASide B runout stamped, BL-37436 RL etched, variant 2
EPC-S-85307-A1 2 ARunout side A
EPC-S-85307-B1 4 ARunout side B
T1 AL-37436-1EX A MASTERDISKSide A runout
1 T BL-37436-1C MASTERDISK RL A1Side B runout
AL 37436Side A label
BL 37436Side B label
o AL-37436-1B P MASTERDISK RL A 1Side 1, Variant 1
p o BL-37436 . 1A MASTERDISK RL PSide 2, Variant 1
o AL-37436-1A MASTERDISK RLSide 1, Variant 2
o BL-37436·1A MASTERDISK RL PSide 2, Variant 2
S 1 AL-37436-1F o MASTERDISK RL A3Side A runout
S 1 BL-37436-1E o MASTERDISK RLSide B runout
AL 37436Side A label
BL 37436Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85307First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Epic EPC 85307First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-332First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 85307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 85307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37436First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37436First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37436First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic FE 37436First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Rock & Roll Adult are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC 85307.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 85307, FE 37436, ELPS 4269, 25-3P-332) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL - 37436 01-8XX07-1A-1 A 53 and BL - 37436 MASTERDISK 01-85307-1B-1 B. 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.
