Vinyl pressings
by Generation X · 1979
King Rocker 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.
17 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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.
CHS 2261 A//1 E P 1323Stamped, side A variant 1
CHS 2261 B//2▽ E P 1149 MB πStamped, side B variant 1
CHS 2261 A//1 E P 13 14Stamped, side A variant 2
CHS 2261 B//2▽ E P 11 40 MB πStamped, side B variant 2
CHS 2261 A1Side A runout, etched
CHS . 2261 . B1 △TSide B runout, etched
CHS 2261 A2 PSide A runout, etched [variant 1]
CHS . 2261 . B1 △TSide B runout, etched [variant 1]
CHS 2261 A2 D HRunout side A, etched
CHS ·2261 B1 △T D ORunout side B, etched
CHS 2261 A2 2 D BRunout A etched (variant 1)
CHS • 2261 • B1 △T 1 D FRunout B etched (variant 1)
CHS 2261 A2 O △ 1Runout A etched (variant 2)
CHS • 2261 • B1 △T D HRunout B etched (variant 2)
CHS 2261 A2 I 2 DSide A runout
CHS.2261.B1 O D △TSide B runout
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 | Australia | Chrysalis K7398First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS 2261First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Japan | Chrysalis WWR-20553First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(C) 2261 / Chrysalis CHSC 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHSA 2261First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(B) 2261 / Chrysalis CHSB 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(B) 2261 / Chrysalis CHSD 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(B) 2261 / Chrysalis CHS(D) 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(D) 2261First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(D) 2261First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(D) 2261 / Chrysalis CHSC 2261First year7", Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS(A) 2261 / Chrysalis CHS(C) 2261First year7", Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of King Rocker are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Japan. One of them is Chrysalis CHS 2261, released January 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 2261, CHS(C) 2261, CHSA 2261, CHS(B) 2261) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 2261 A//1 E P 1323 and CHS 2261 B//2▽ E P 1149 MB π. 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.
