Vinyl pressings
by Jeffrey Osborne · 1984
Don't Stop was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MR Δ 26583 SP-05017-A M1 ❀Runout side A etched
MR Δ 26583X SP-05017-B-M2 ❀Runout side B etched
(SP-05017-A)Label side A
(SP-05017-B)Label side B
SP-05017-A RCA 1 [flower] ^2DRunout, Side A, variant 1
SP-05017-A RCA 1 [birds] ^1DRunout, Side B, variant 1
SP-05017-A RCA 1 ❀ Ⅰ B3 BRunout, Side A, variant 2
SP-05017-B RCA 1 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ Ⅰ A3 IRunout, Side B, variant 2
SP-05017-A"RE1 ES1 ❀、ℰMWSide A Runout
SP-05017-B"ES1 〰༼ ℰMWSide B Runout
AMA 5017 A1 toneA-side runout
AMA 5017 B1B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | A&M Records SP-5017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-5017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 65017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records 395 017-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 65017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28108First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records L38405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | A&M Records AMLX 65017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 65017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records 395 017-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-5017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-5017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Don't Stop are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-5017, released September 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-5017, AMA 5017, AMLX 65017, 395 017-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR Δ 26583 SP-05017-A M1 ❀ and MR Δ 26583X SP-05017-B-M2 ❀. 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.
