Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1987
Reason To Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
KISS 8 A//1∇420 11 PEDROSide A runout, variant 1
KISS 8 B//1∇420 11Side B runout, variant 1
KISS 8 A//1∇420 11 PEDRO 1 0Side A runout, variant 2
KISS 8 B//1∇420 PEDRO 1 2 3Side B runout, variant 2
KISS 812 A//1 420// PEDRORunout side A, variant 1
KISS 812 B//1 420// PEDRORunout side B, variant 1
KISS 812 A//1▽420// 11 4 PEDRORunout side A, variant 2
KISS 812 B//1▽420// 11 8 PEDRORunout side B, variant 2
KISS-P-812-A ORLAKESide 1 / etched
KISS-P-812-B ORLAKESide 2 / etched
KISS 8 A//1▽420 // 1 1 PEDRO 1Side A runout
KISS 8 B//1▽420 // PEDRO 1 2 4Side B runout
KISDJ 8 A / 1 4 20 AO 1 2Side A runout stamped
KISDJ 8 B / 1 420 / 1 5 PEDROSide B runout stamped, pedro etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Mercury 870022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury DJM 250First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury MS76262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | Mercury 870 022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 870022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 022-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-826First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 870 022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISS 8 / Phonogram 870 022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISS 812First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISSP812 / Vertigo 870 058-1First year12", Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISS 8 / PolyGram 870 022-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISDJ8First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Vertigo KISS 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | Mercury PRO 559-1First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Reason To Live are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Vertigo KISS 8.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KISS 8, KISS 812, KISSP812, KISDJ8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KISS 8 A//1∇420 11 PEDRO and KISS 8 B//1∇420 11. 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.
