US
1976- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-40665
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Gloversville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MC 5774-E W-4 ⧈-G-⧈Runout A
MC-5531 W-3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B
MC 5774 ELabel A
MC 5531Label B
Lynyrd SkynyrdFree Bird
Vinyl pressings
Free Bird
by Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1976
14 pressings5 countriesRock
Free Bird 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Free Bird
4 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 2 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.
US
1976- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-40665
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MC 5774E W-1 ◈-P-◈A side runout etched, variant 1
MC 5531 W-1 ◈-P-◈B side runout etched, variant 1
MC 5774E W-1 ◈-P-◈ I̶I̶I̶I̶A side runout etched, variant 2
MC 5531 W-2 ◈-P-◈IIIB side runout etched, variant 2
US
1976- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA-40665MCA Records MC5774E
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
MC 5774E W-1 o-P-oSide-1
MC 5774E W-1 o-P-oSide-2
Germany
1976- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records 32.002
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
32.002-A 0105 850-S1 1 PF ARunout side A, etched [stamped "1", "A"]
32.002-B PF 0105 850-S2 1 BRunout side B, etched [stamped "1 B"]
0105.850 S 1Label side A
0105.850 S 2Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 14 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | MCA Records 32.002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-40665First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-40665 / MCA Records MC5774EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-40665First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 13567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
1980s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
Year unknown6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 406657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables COL-901607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records 19487", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-406657", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
Tracklist
- AFree Bird4:55
- BSearching3:51
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Free Bird are there?
14 vinyl pressings of Free Bird are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
When was Free Bird first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Germany. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40665.
How do I tell if my copy of Free Bird is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40665, 32.002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 5774-E W-4 ⧈-G-⧈ and MC-5531 W-3 ⧈-G-⧈. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Free Bird on vinyl worth?
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.
