Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1973
Walk On The Wild Side was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
CHPA-3295 ℗ 1973 Manufactured In GermanyRunout side A, stamped
CHPA-3296 ℗ 1973 Manufactured In GermanyRunout side B, stamped
SRunout both sides, etched
CHPA-3295Label side A
℗ 1973 CHPA-3295 Maufactured In GermanyRunout Side A
℗ 1973 CHPA-3296 Maufactured In GermanyRunout Side B
CHPA-3295Label Side A
CHPA-3296Label Side B
CKAS 18580 1S - 1ASide A, runout, stamped
CKAS 18542 1S - 1BSide B, runout, stamped
CKAS 18580Side A, label
CKAS 18542Side B, label
CKAS 18580 1S - 1C 3Side A, runout, stamped
CKAS 18542 1S - 1B 2Side B, runout, stamped
CKAS 18580Side A, label
CKAS 18542Side B, label
CKAS 18580 1S - 1C 7Etching side A, variant 1
CKAS 18542 1S - 1A 7Etching side B, variant 1
CKAS 18580 1S - 1C 2Etching side A, variant 2
CKAS 18542 1S - 1B 2Etching side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41.081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 284 / RCA 74-16 284First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 284 / RCA 74-16 284First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | RCA Victor 46g 167First year7" | 7" |
| 1973 | Italy | RCA Victor N 1679First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Italy | RCA Victor N 1679First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | RCA Victor N 1679First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | RCA Victor N 1679First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | RCA GB-101627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | RCA GB-101627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1977 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11043 / RCA Victor 74-162847", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | RCA GOLD 5237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA GOLD 5237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | RCA GOLD 523 / RCA PB 97087", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | RCA GOLD 523 / RCA PB 97087", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Old Gold OG 96357", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Old Gold OG 96357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Old Gold OG 96357", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | RCA Victor PB494277", Reissue, 45 RPM | 7", Reissue, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor GB-101627", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11043 / RCA Victor 74-162847", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 284 / RCA Victor 26.11 0437", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11043 / RCA Victor 74-162847", Reissue, 45 RPM | 7", Reissue, 45 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | RCA OLD-250157", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor GB-101627", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Walk On The Wild Side are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, Italy, France, Greece. One of them is RCA Victor 74-16 284.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-16 284, N 1679, 41.081, 46g 167) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHPA-3295 ℗ 1973 Manufactured In Germany and CHPA-3296 ℗ 1973 Manufactured 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.
