Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Loggins · 1980
Alive was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
PAL 36739 1N AA C I TSide A runout, var. 1
PBL 36739 1J AA B o PTXSide B runout, var. 1
PAL 36740 1AG AA E o T ISide C runout, var. 1
PBL 36740 1C B SXT SSide D runout, var. 1
PAL 36739-1FSide A etched, var. 1
PBL 36739-1C B PXTSide B etched, var. 1
PAL 36740-7H PXTSide C etched, var. 1
PBL 36740-1F PXTSide D etched, var. 1
PAL 36739 1GVariant 1, Side A Etched
PBL 36739-1FVariant 1, Side B Etched
P PAL 36740-1GVariant 1, Side C Etched [P stamped]
P PBL 36740 1G MVariant 1, Side D Etched [P stamped]
1S PAL 36739-1D M̶ A1Side A runout (variant 1)
1S PBL 36739 1B M̶ A20Side B runout (variant 1)
1S PAL 36740-1A A6Side C runout (variant 1)
1S PBL 36740-1C A3Side D runout (variant 1)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220232First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia C2X 36738First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88500First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony AAP46-7 / CBS/Sony AAP 46First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 38AP 1935~6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 38AP 1935~6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 220232First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS s 88500First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | UK & Europe | CBS S CBS 84508 / CBS S CBS 88500First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia C2X 36738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia C2X 36738First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia C2X 36738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia C2X 36738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | CBS AGP 89/90LP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Alive are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia C2X 36738, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2X 36738, S2BP 220232, 138.218, CBS 88500) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 36739 1N AA C I T and PBL 36739 1J AA B o PTX. 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.
