Vinyl pressings
by Ian Dury · 1977
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
1 BUY 17 A-1U WATCH OUT FOR HAND SIGNALS P PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout stamped / etched / stamped, variant 1
1 BUY 17 B-2U CRIME DOES PAY HSide B runout stamped / etched / stamped, variant 1
BUY 17 A-1U 1 PORKY PRIME CUT WATCH OUT FOR HAND SIGNALS LSide A runout stamped / etched / stamped, variant 2
BUY 17 B-2U 1 GD CRIME DOES PAYSide B runout stamped / etched, variant 2
BUY 17 A-1U WATCH OUT FOR HAND SIGNALS O PORKY PRIME CUT 1Side A runout stamped / etched / stamped
BUY 17 B-2U CRIME DOES PAY P 1Side B runout stamped / etched / stamped
6. 12197-01-1 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout A, stamped
6. 12197-01-2/1 H1Runout B, stamped
6.12 197-01-1Label A
6.12 197-01-2Label B
GKAS 31932 1S T2 - 1AA side runout etching
GKAS 31933 1S T2 - 1AB side runout etching
GKAS 31932A side label
GKAS 31933B side label
BUY 17 - A
BUY 17 - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU-B / BUY 17 / Stiff Records BE 640.133First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | Belgium | Stiff Records BE 640.133 / Stiff Records COU-B/BUY 17First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | Belgium | Barclay BE 640.133First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | Barclay BE 640.133 / Barclay 640.133First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | France | Stiff Records 750.004First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | Stiff Records BUY 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SRS 510.032 / Scramble SRS 510.032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SRS 510.032 / Scramble SRS 510.032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SRS 510.032 / Scramble SRS 510.032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Stiff Records BUY 17 / Stiff Records BUY 17 NPFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Portugal | Stiff Records BUY 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 197 / Stiff Records 6.12197First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | Stiff Records BUY 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.20 00812", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Argentina | Interdisc DF 0667", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Europe | Arcade 200432912", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | UK | Edsel Records DURY 19777", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Stiff Records 750.00412", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | France | Stiff Records 6401327", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
32 vinyl pressings of Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Germany, Italy, Belgium and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 17, released August 26, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 17, 6.12 197, COU-B / BUY 17, BE 640.133) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 BUY 17 A-1U WATCH OUT FOR HAND SIGNALS P PORKY PRIME CUT and 1 BUY 17 B-2U CRIME DOES PAY H. 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.
