Vinyl pressings
by George McCrae · 1975
It's Been So Long was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PBBO-7015-A Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
PBBO-7015-B Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
PPBO-7015-ALabel side A
PPBO-7015-BLabel side B
BOY+100+A JONZRunout side A
BOY+100+BRunout side B
BOY 100 A-2♢GA-side run-out, stamped
BOY 100 B-2♢GB-side run-out, stamped
BOY 100 +A JONZA-side runout
BOY 100 +BB-side runout
BOY + 100 + A JONZRunout side A, stamped
BOY + 100 + BRunout side B, stamped
BOY + 100 + A JONZRunout Side A stamped
BOY + 100 + BRunout Side B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Belgium | RCA Victor YBPBO 7015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor PPBO-7015 / RCA Victor 26.11 285First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | RCA Victor XB-9300First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Jay Boy BOY 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of It's Been So Long are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Germany, UK, Belgium, Ireland and more. One of them is RCA Victor PPBO-7015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PPBO-7015, BOY 100, YBPBO 7015, XB-9300) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PBBO-7015-A Manufactured in Germany and PBBO-7015-B Manufactured in Germany. 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.
