Vinyl pressings
by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes · 1974
Where Are All My Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3552-3 F/WVariant 1; runout side A etched
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3552-4 F/WVariant 1; runout side B etched
P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3552-3 F/W TIVariant 2; runout side A etched
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3552-4 F/W TIIVariant 2; runout side B etched
P.I.R. AH-ZS8-3552-3 F/W SSSRunout side A etched
P.I.R. AG-ZS8-3552-4 F/W SSSRunout side B etched
ZS8 3552-3Side A Label
ZS8 3552-4Side B Label
ZS8 3552-3Label Side A
ZS8 3552-1Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS BA-222114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552 / Columbia ZS8 3552First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Philadelphia International Records PIR 2819First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 2819 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 2819First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 2819First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 2819First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 2819First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 2819First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 2819First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", Styrene, Stereo | 7", Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Where Are All My Friends are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1974 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3552.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3552, S PIR 2819, BA-222114, PIR 2819) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3552-3 F/W and P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3552-4 F/W. 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.
