Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1978
Live 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.
18 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
1S PIR AL-35518-2H F/WNSRunout side A
1S PIR BL-35518-2F F/WNSRunout side B
S PIR AL-35519-2E F/WNSRunout side C
S PIR BL-35519-2F F/WNSRunout side D
T1 P.I.R. AL-35518-2D F/WNS ASide A runout etched
T1 P.I.R. BL-35518-2C F/WNSSide B runout etched
T1 P.I.R. AL-35519-2C F/WNSSide C runout etched
T1 P.I.R. BL-35519-2D F/WNSSide D runout etched
p P.I.R. AL-35518-2B F/WNSRunout side A etched (p stamped)
p P.I.R. BL-35518-3D F/WNSRunout side B etched (p stamped)
p P.I.R. AL-35519-2A F/WNSRunout side C etched (p stamped)
p P.I.R. BL-35519-2B F/WNSRunout side D etched (p stamped)
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 | Argentina | Epic 47.144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PL 3036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records 2PL 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Epic 144309/10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | Epic 33161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 88316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records 40AP 1178~9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Philadelphia International Records 2PL 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | CBS/SonyFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Philadelphia International Records AGP 47/48First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR 88316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Philadelphia International Records 88316First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ2 35517First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Philadelphia International Records XSM 165294First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ2 35517First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ2 35517LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Philadelphia International Records P-30.003LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records PZ2 35517.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PZ2 35517, XSM 165294, PIR 88316, 88316) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S PIR AL-35518-2H F/WNS and 1S PIR BL-35518-2F F/WNS. 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.
