Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1984
Live In Italy was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
DM B-0851 A-1/84 S III II Made in GermanySide A runout, variant 1
DM B-0851 B-2/84 S III Made in GermanySide B runout, variant 1
DM B-0852 A-1/84 S III II Made in GermanySide C runout, variant 1
DM B-0852 B-2/84 S III II Made in GermanySide D runout, variant 1
DM B-0851 A-1/84 S III IIIRunout side A
DM B-0851 B-3/84 S III IIRunout side B
DM B-0852 A-1/84 S III IIIRunout side C
DM B-0852 B-3/84 S II IIIRunout side D
MKAY 38978 I S - I B - 3 I △ P Piero 2-12-83Runout side A
MKAY 38979 I S - I B - 2 8 △ P Piero 2-12-83Runout side B
MKAY 38980 I S - I A - I 6 △ P Piero 2-12-83Runout side C
MKAY 3898I I S - 1 A - 3 2 △ P Piero 2-12-83Runout side D
PL-89156 - A OA Side, stamped
PL-89156 - B OB Side, stamped
PL-89156 - C OC Side, stamped
PL-89156 - D OD Side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL 89156(2)LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20304 / 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 89156 (2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 89156 (2)First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 89156 (2) / RCA Victor PL-89156 (2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA PL 89156-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Rca Victor PL 89156-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89156(2) / RCA PL 89156 (2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89156 (2) / RCA PL 89156(2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-3046/7LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-3046/7LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | RCA 88985464281LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Live In Italy are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK & Europe, Greece, Italy, Spain. One of them is RCA PL 89156(2).
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 89156(2), PL 89156 (2), RCLP 20304 / 5, PL 89156-2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM B-0851 A-1/84 S III II Made in Germany and DM B-0851 B-2/84 S III Made in Germany. 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.
