Vinyl pressings
by Kiki Dee · 1981
Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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.
102907 A-1/81S III Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
102907 B-1/81S III Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped
S 102.907 ALabel side A
S 102.907 BLabel side B
•STRAWBERRY• KIKI DEE ARO 251 A1Side A runout
ARO 251 BV1 KIKI DEE B1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout
KIKI DEE ARO 251 A1 1 AX STRAWBERRYSide A runout
ARO 251 B1 KIKI DEE B1 STRAWBERRY 1 ZSide B runout
ARO 251-ASide A label
ARO 251-BSide B label
•STRAWBERRY• KIKI DEE ARO 251 A1Side A runout
ARO 251 BV1 KIKI DEE B1 •STRAWBERRY•Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Ariola 103762First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Chile | Ariola ARS 10073First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 102 775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 102 907 / Ariola 102 907-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Ariola A-142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola ARO 251First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Ariola ARL 37051First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 102 907-100 / Ariola 102.907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Ariola 103762First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Peru | Ariola ARO 251First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | Ariola 5000 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Ariola 102 907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Ariola 102 907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Ariola 102 907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records ARS 2114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Star are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Ariola 102 907-100.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 102 907-100, ARO 251, PB-12347, JH-12347) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 102907 A-1/81S III Made in Germany and 102907 B-1/81S III 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.
