Vinyl pressings
by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass · 1965
Zorba The Greek was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, 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.
A+M 1168-1B TIIA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
A+M 1169-1A TIIIB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
A+M 1168-1B TIIIA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
A+M 1169-1B+ TIB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
A&M-1168 (MR) △59675A etched, (MR) stamped
A&M-1169 (MR) △59675-XB etched, (MR) stamped
1168A label
1169B label
A 1168 1C PA Side etched variant 1
A 1169 1D PB Side etched variant 1
A -1168 1D PA Side etched variant 2
A+M 1169B Side etched variant 2
A&M-1168 M̶R̶ ST Δ59675A-Side Runout Etching
A&M-1169 MR ST Δ59675-XB-Side Runout Etching
1168A-Side Label
1169B-Side Label
A&M-1168 (MR) (P) W ∆59675A-Side Runout
A&M-1169 (MR) (P) W ∆59675-XB-Side Runout
1168A-Side Label
1169B-Side Label
MX19251 A1.Side A Runout -Etched
MX19252 A1.Side B Runout -Etched
MX19251Side A Label
MX19252Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Festival Records FK-1201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Belgium | London Records 5.544First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Canada | Quality 1788XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Canada | A&M Records AM-8507First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Canada | A&M Records AM-GT 060XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Canada | A&M Records AM-8507First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Canada | A&M Records AM-8507First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Festival Records FK-1201First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | A&M Records 787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1965 | US | A&M Records 787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1965 | US | A&M Records 787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1965 | US | A&M Records 787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1965 | US | A&M Records 787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Germany | London Records DL 20 7987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Japan | London Records TOP-10107", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Quality QGT-060X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Quality QGT-060X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | Columbia SCMG 3157", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | A&M Records 85077", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records 85077", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records 85077", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables 75021 8507 7 / A&M Records 085077", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records 75021 8507 77", Reissue, Stereo | 7", Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Zorba The Greek are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1965 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, Australia, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records 787, released December 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 787, FK-1201, 5.544, 1788X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 1168-1B TII and A+M 1169-1A TIII. 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.
