Vinyl pressings
by Johnnie Taylor · 1970
I Am Somebody was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
SM00468 2 GM East Det MilanA-Side Runout
SM00467 GM East Det MilanB-Side Runout
SM-00468 SPA-Side Label
SM-00467 SPB-Side Label
SM00468 2 GM East Det MilanRunout, side A, etched
SM00467 2 GM East Det MilanRunout, side B, etched
SM-00468-PLSide A Label
SM-00467-PLSide B Label
SM-00468 2 MR GM East Det △82454-X MilanRunout A-Side
SM-00467 2 MR GM East Det △82454 MilanRunout B-Side
SM-00468A-Side Label
SM-00467B-Side Label
SM00467A-SIDE Runout
MFG BY SPECIALTY RECORDSB-SIDE Runout
BACKING PLATEB-SIDE Runout
SM00467 2 GM East Det MilarRunout handetched - exactly the same on bith sides of record
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Stax KK-3984First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Greece | Stax 45-M 23First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Stax KK-3984First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | Stax SN-20.459 / Stax STA-0078First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | UK | Stax STAX 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | Stax STA 0078First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Stax STA-0078First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | UK | Stax STAX 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Brazil | Stax 2161.0027", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 0097", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stax 1 C 006-919877", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of I Am Somebody are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Stax STA-0078, released September 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STA-0078, STAX 156, STA 0078, 45-M 23) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SM00468 2 GM East Det Milan and SM00467 GM East Det Milan. 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.
