Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1978
Gene Simmons 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.
42 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 20 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.
OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARH IT NBLP-7120-AS-TH2 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
IT NBLP-7120-BS-TH2 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARH IT NBLP-7120-AS-TH2 STERLING ESide A runout, variant 2
IT NBLP-7120-BS-TH1 STERLING ASide B runout, variant 2
NBLP-7120-AS-PRC3-1-111 OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARH STERLINGSide A runout, variant
NBLP-7120-BS-PRC3-1-11 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
NBLP-7120-AS-PRC1-11-1111 OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARH STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
NBLP-7120-BS-PRC2-1-11 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
NBLP-7120-AS-P1 STERLING OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARHA side runout, variant 1
NBLP-7120-BS-P1 STERLINGB side runout, variant 1
NBLP-7120-AS-P1 STERLING OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARHA side runout, variant 2
NBLP-7120-BS-P3 STERLINGB side runout, variant 2
NBLP-7120-AS-SM1 A9 STERLING OR SOMTHING SEEM LARH 1SA Side Runout Variant 1
NBLP-7120-BS-SM1 STERLING B5 1SB Side Runout Variant 1
NBLP-7120-AS-SM2 B6 STERLING OR SOMTHiNG SEEM LARH 1SA Side Runout Variant 2
NBLP-7120-BS-SM2 STERLING B7 1SB Side Runout Variant 2
NBLP-7120-AS-SM3 A1 STERLING OR SOMTHING SEEM LARH SA Side Runout (Variant 1)
NBLP-7120-BS-SM2 STERLING A3 1SB Side Runout (Variant 1)
NBLP-7120-AS-SM2 A0 STERLING OR SOMETHING SEEM LARH 1SA Side Runout (Variant 2)
NBLP-7120-BS-SM2 A2 STERLING SB Side Runout (Variant 2)
NBLP-7120-AS-TH2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ B0 OR SOMTHING SEĒM LARH 1TSide A Variant 1
NBLP-7120-BS-TH2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ A1 1TSide B Variant 1
NBLP-7120-AS-TH2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ B 10 OR SOMTHING SEĒM LARH 1TSide A Variant 2
NBLP-7120-BS-TH1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ A 8 1TSide B 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 | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | El Salvador | Casablanca BONI-33091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | El Salvador | Casablanca BONI-33091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Casablanca 407-CBO. 71039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Casablanca CBO. 71039LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Casablanca NB 7051First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Casablanca CBLP 50026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Hong Kong | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Casablanca CALP 5027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Casablanca CALP 5027 / Casablanca CA. LP 5027First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Casablanca NB7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Panama | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | Casablanca NBLP 7120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Casablanca NBLP 7120LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Casablanca 6399.084LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Casablanca 6399 084 / Phonogram 6399 084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Casablanca 6399 084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | Casablanca 22S-8 / Polystar 22S-8LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Casablanca 120.024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Casablanca NBLP 7120LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1986 | US | Casablanca 826 239-1 M-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Casablanca 6399 084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Casablanca 6399 084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Japan | Casablanca ROOC-2018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Canada | Casablanca 826 239-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Italy | Lilith LR113 / Lilith LR113LPPLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | UK | Back To Black 5326579LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 06025 377 947-4 (4) / Casablanca 06025 377 947-4 (4)LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2014 | Germany | Casablanca 060253787340 / Universal 060253787340LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2014 | US | UMe B0020534-01 / Casablanca B0020534-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | US | UMe B0020534-01 / Casablanca B0020534-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Kiss)LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | Unknown | Casablanca VIPD 2LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Kiss)LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | Europe | Casablanca 9128 011LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Casablanca NBLP 7120LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Lilith LR113 / Lilith LR113LPPLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
76 vinyl pressings of Gene Simmons are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1978 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Netherlands, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Casablanca NBLP 7120, released September 18, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NBLP 7120, NBLP P 7120, NBPIX 7120 NBPIX7120, NBLP 7120 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, OR SOMTHING SEÈM LARH IT NBLP-7120-AS-TH2 STERLING and IT NBLP-7120-BS-TH2 STERLING. 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.
