Vinyl pressings
by Joan Baez · 1974
Forever Young 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.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 13 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 2633-S M2 R MR Δ93950A-Side Runout Etching
A&M 2634-S M1 R MR Δ93950-XB-Side Runout Etching
2633-SA-Side Label
2634-SB-Side Label
A+M 2633 MI R MR Δ93949A-Side Runout Etching
A+M 2633-S MI L MR Δ93950B-Side Runout Etching
2633Side A Label
2633-SSide B Label
2633-SA-Side Label
2634-SB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records K 5507First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1516-SFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1516-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | A&M Records 13 274 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45059First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Japan | A&M Records AM-212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Mexico | A&M Records SP-141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1104First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Spain | A&M Records 13.274-A / A&M Records 13274 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Sweden | A&M Records AOMS-7112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records 1516-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records 1516 / A&M Records 1516-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | Venezuela | A&M Records 45-13.464First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Forever Young are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records 1516-S.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1516-S, 1516, AMS 7112, K 5507) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M 2633-S M2 R MR Δ93950 and A&M 2634-S M1 R MR Δ93950-X. 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.
