Vinyl pressings
by LL Cool J · 1985
Radio was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
(HXAP) P AL-40239 - G1BSide A runout, variant 1
P(AP) BL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr :^)Side B runout, variant 1
(HXAP) P 0 AL-40239 - G1ASide A runout, variant 2
P(AP) 1 BL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr :^)Side B runout, variant 2
P(AP) AL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr. :-)Side A, runout variant 1
P(AP) BL-40239-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr. :-)Side B, runout variant 1
P(AP) 0 AL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr. :-)Side A, runout variant 2
P(AP) BL-40239-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr. :-)Side B, runout variant 2
P(AP) AL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v)A-Side Runout Etching
P(AP) BL-40239-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v)B-Side Runout Etching
AL 40239A-Side Label
BL 40239B-Side Label
26745-A2Etched Side A
DEF 26745 B1Etched Side B
26745 A*Label Side A
26745 B*Label Side B
DEF 26745 A1Etched side A
DEF 26745 B1Etched side B
26745 A*Label side A
26745 B*Label side B
DEF 26745 A1 C ARunout side A
DEF 26745 B1 C ARunout side B
26745 A*Label side A
26745 B*Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 461034 1 / CBS 461034 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3259 / Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3259First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Philippines | CBS QCL-22246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Def Jam Recordings DEF 26745 / CBS 26745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Def Jam Recordings DEF 26745 / CBS 26745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS 26745 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 26745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 26745 / Def Jam Recordings 26745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Def Jam Recordings BFC 40239 / Columbia FC 40239LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1985 | US | Def Jam Recordings FC 40239 / Def Jam Recordings C 40239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Def Jam Recordings BFC 40239 / Columbia BFC 40239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Def Jam Recordings C 40239 / Columbia FC 40239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings FC 40239 / Columbia FC 40239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3259 (DJ) / Def Jam Recordings 28AP 3259LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Def Jam Recordings B0019772-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Def Jam Recordings B0019772-01LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Def Jam Recordings DEF 26745 / Def Jam Recordings 26745LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Radio are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1985 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings FC 40239.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40239, BFC 40239, C 40239, DEF 26745) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (HXAP) P AL-40239 - G1B and P(AP) BL-40239-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE Jr :^). 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.
