Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Loggins · 1979
Keep The Fire 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.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AL-36172-D-RE-Z-CP Criteria MF PSide A - Etched [Criteria P - Stamped], Variant 1
BL-36172-D-RE-Z-CP Criteria MF PSide B - Etched [Criteria P - Stamped], Variant 1
AL-36172-D-RE-2-CP Criteria MF 3 PSide A - Etched [Criteria, 3, P - Stamped], Variant 2
BL-36172-C-RE-2-CP F 1 Criteria MF PSide B - Etched [F, 1, Criteria, P - Stamped], Variant 2
1 S AL-36172-(F-RE-1-CSM)-1B Criteria MF B14Runout A, variant 1
1 S BL-36172-(I-RE1-CSM)-1C Criteria MF A 12Runout B, variant 1
1 S AL-36172-(I-CSM-RE-1)-1C Criteria MF C1Runout A, variant 2
Ƨ S BL-36172-(I-CSM-RE-1)-1C Criteria MF A1Runout B, variant 2
T1 AL-36172-G̶-̶G̶F̶-̶F̶5̶ 1HX-1B ⋐riteriɑ MFSide A - Etched [Criteria - Stamped], variant 1
T1 X7 BL-36172-C̶-̶R̶E̶2̶-̶C̶P̶ 1P ⋐riteriɑ MF5Side B - Etched [P Criteria - Stamped], variant 1
T1 AL-36172-H̶C̶T̶-1JX ⋐riteriɑ MF oSide A - Etched [Criteria - Stamped], variant 2
PXT BL-36172-C̶-̶R̶E̶2̶-̶C̶P̶ 1M ⋐riteriɑ MF BSide B - Etched [P Criteria - Stamped], variant 2
AL 36172-1ACSide A - Stamped
BL-36172 C-RE2-CP C Criteria MFSide B - Etched [C Criteria - Stamped]
AL 36172Matrix A, on label
BL 36172Matrix B, on label
o T1 AL-36172-1JX ⋐riteriɑ MF D3Side A - Etched [Criteria - Stamped]
BL-36172-D-RE-2CP ⋐riteriɑ MF 2Side B - Etched [P Criteria - Stamped]
AL 36172Matrix A, on label
BL 36172Matrix B, on label
AL-36172-1E-CSM [Criteria logo] MF 3 S1Side A runout, etched
BL-36172-1F-CSM [Criteria logo] MF A1 S2Side B runout, etched
AL 36172Side A label
BL 36172Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 120.057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | CBS 138174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83869 / CBS 83869First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | CBS CBS 83869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1644First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5672First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1380First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2435First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS S 83869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 83869 / CBS 83869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia WPC 36172LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36172LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36172LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Keep The Fire are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36172, CBS 83869, 120.057, SBP 237364) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-36172-D-RE-Z-CP Criteria MF P and BL-36172-D-RE-Z-CP Criteria MF P. 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.
