Vinyl pressings
by Joe Egan · 1979
Back On The Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
100599 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A
100599 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 100 599 ALabel side A
S 100 599 BLabel side B
ARO · 153 · A¹ △MDEtched runout, side A
ARO · 153 · B¹ △MDEtched runout, side B
†ARO 153-A†Label matrix, side A
†ARO 153-B†Label matrix, side B
ARO.153.A1 △MDA-side runout
ARO.153.B1 △MDB-side runout
†ARO 153-A†A-side label
†ARO 153-B†B-side label
IKAS 32986 1S PM - 1A 2Runout area side A
IKAS 32987 1S PM - 1A 1Runout area side B
IKAS 32986Label side A
IKAS 32987Label side B
100599 A-406151-yRun-out side A
100599 B-406161-yRun-out 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Ariola 100 599First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 100 599 / Ariola 100 599-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 100 599 / Ariola 100 599-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Ariola 100 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Ariola ARO 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Ariola ARO 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PB 6363 / RCA Victor PB 6363First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PB 6363 / RCA Victor PB 63637", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PB 6363 / RCA Victor PB 63637", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Ariola 1034117", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Back On The Road are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, Italy, Brazil and more. One of them is Ariola 100 599.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 100 599, ARO 153, PB 6363) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 100599 A-1/79S Made in Germany and 100599 B-1/79S Made in Germany. 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.
