Vinyl pressings
by Gene Simmons · 1978
Radioactive 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 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.
NB-951-AS-CT1 STERLING TIII TRunout side-A
NB-951-BS-CT1 STERLING TRunout side-B
(NB 951 AS)Label side-A
(NB 951 BS)Label side-B
NB-951-AS-CP2Runout side-A
NB-951-BS-CP1Runout side-B
(NB 951 AS)Label side-A
(NB 951 BS)Label side-B
NB-951-AS-AM1 STERLINGRunout side-A
NB-951-BS-AM1 STERLINGRunout side-B
(NB 951 AS)Label side-A
(NB 951 BS)Label side-B
NB-951-AS-SP1 STERLINGRunout side A variant 1
NB-951-BS-SP1 STERLINGRunout side B variant 1
NB-951-AS-SP1 [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLINGRunout side A variant 2
NB-951-BS-SP1 [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLINGRunout side B variant 2
NB-951-AS-PRC 2-1-1 STERLINGRunout side-A
NB-951-BS-PRC-1-1-1 STERLING PRCRunout side-B
(NB 951 AS)Label side-A
(NB 951 BS)Label side-B
NB 951 AS
NB 951 AM
NB-951-AS-CT2 STERLING T1
NB-951-AM-CT2 STERLING T1
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 | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Casablanca 45 CB 1131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Bellaphon BF 18644First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Casablanca CA. 523 / Casablanca CA 523First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Casablanca CA. 523 / Casablanca CA 523First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Casablanca VIP-2691First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Casablanca VIP-2691First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | South Africa | Casablanca NAS 723First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Casablanca NB 951 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Casablanca NB 951 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Casablanca NB 951First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Casablanca NB 9517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label NB9517", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label NB9517", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | El Salvador | Casablanca NB 9517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Rhodesia | Casablanca NAS 7237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Sweden | Broadcasting NB9517" | 7" |
23 vinyl pressings of Radioactive are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Casablanca NB 951.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NB 951, NB 951 DJ, 45 CB 1131, BF 18644) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NB-951-AS-CT1 STERLING TIII T and NB-951-BS-CT1 STERLING T. 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.
