Vinyl pressings
by L.T.D. · 1976
Love Ballad / Let The Music Keep Playing was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
A+M 1847 12086-S T2 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] TIIRunout, side A, etched
T AM 1847 12807-S [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] TIIRunout, side B, etched
12086-SLabel Side A
12087-SLabel Side B
AM-1847 12086-S1 [Artisan 'Walking Eye' Logo]Side A [Etched]
AM-1847 12087-SX [Artisan 'Walking Eye' Logo]Side B [Etched]
12086-SSide A [Label]
12087-SSide B [Label]
A+M 1847 12086-S mI MR [Artisan logo] - ∆100384Runout, side A, variant 1
T AM 1847 12807-S mi MR [Artisan logo] - ∆100384-XRunout, side B, variant 1
A+M 1847 12086-S M2 MR [Artisan logo] - ∆100384Runout, side A, variant 2
AM 1847 12807-S M2 MR [Artisan logo] - ∆100384-XRunout, side B, variant 2
AM-1847 12086-S [P] [Artisan logo]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
AM-1847 12087-S [P] [Artisan logo]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
12086-SSide A Label
12087-SSide B Label
T AM 1847 12807-S T1 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo]Runout, side A, etched
AM 1847 12086-S T1 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] TRunout, side B, etched
12086-SLabel Side A
12087-SLabel Side B
AM-1847 12086-M-S3Mono Runout
AM-1847 12086-S-S3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | A&M Records K-6576First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1847First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Germany | A&M Records 17 395 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45090First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records CM-2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 6576First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Peru | A&M Records 01.09.928First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7265First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 18477", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847 / A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847 / A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records 1847-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Love Ballad / Let The Music Keep Playing are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records 1847-S.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1847-S, 1847, AMS 7265, K-6576) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 1847 12086-S T2 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] TII and T AM 1847 12807-S [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] TII. 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.
