Vinyl pressings
by Joe Walsh · 1978
Life's Been Good was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ES-45493 A SP JBSide A runout, variant 1
ES-45493-B-SP JBSide B runout, variant 1
ES-45493 A SP JB 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
ES-45493-B-SP JB 1-2Side B runout, variant 2
R-3452 E-45493Runout
E-45493-ASide A label
E-45493-BSide B label
ES-45493-A-2-PRC-1-1 PRCVariant 1, Side A runout
ES-45493-B-2-PRC-1-1 PRCVariant 1, Side B runout
ES- 45493 A-2 PRC-1-111 JB PRCVariant 2, Side A runout
ES- 45493-B-2-PRC-1-1 JB PRCVariant 2, Side B runout
EM- 45493 ASP JB MonoRunout side A
ES-45493 ASP JBRunout side B
E-45493-ASide A label
E-45493-ASide B label
E-45493-ASide A label
E-45493-ASide B label
K 13129 A2 ALLENRunout, side A, etched, variant 1
K 13129 B2Runout, side B, etched, variant 1
K 13129 A1 ALLENRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
K 13129 B1 ALLENRunout, side B, etched., variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Asylum Records E-45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Asylum Records P-309YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Mexico | Asylum Records G-2029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 13.129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 13.129First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Asylum Records E 45-493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Asylum Records 45-1741 / Hispavox 45-1741 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Asylum Records 45-1741 / Hispavox 45-1741 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Asylum Records K 13129 / Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Asylum Records K 13129 / Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Asylum Records K 13129 / Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Asylum Records K 13129 / Asylum Records E 45493First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Life's Been Good are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Asylum Records E-45493.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-45493, K 13129, AS 13 129, E 45493) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES-45493 A SP JB and ES-45493-B-SP JB. 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.
