Vinyl pressings
by Manfred Mann's Earth Band · 1976
Blinded By The Light 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.
31 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BRO 29 A-4 ARUN L 1A side runout, variant 1
BRO 29 B1 T E.GB side runout, variant 1
BRO 29 A-4 ARUN PA 1A side runout, variant 2
BRO 29 B1 PL EG 1B side runout, variant 2
BRO 29 A3 ARUN EGA-side runout etched
BRO 29 B1 EGB-side runout etched
WBS-8252 UAA-7187-VI-S TH-2 TIII TRunout side A, etched
WBS-8252 UAA-7192-S TH-2 TIIIRunout side B, etched
UAA7187 VISLabel side A
UAA7192 SLabel side B
WBS-8252 UAA-7187 VI-S JW-2 II2Var.1 - Runout Side A
WBS-8252 UAA-7192-S JW IVar.1 - Runout Side B
WBS-8252 UAA-7187 VI-S JW-2 #1Var.2 - Runout Side A
WBS-8252 UAA-7192-S JW I Sub -2Var.2 - Runout Side B
WBS-8252 UAA-7187 VI-S WW I #5 —◁Runout Side A etched, variant 1
WBS-8252 UAA-7192-S WW I —◁Runout Side B etched, variant 1
WBS-8252 UAA-7187 VI-S WW I —◁ 1-S #2Runout Side A etched, variant 2
WBS-8252 UAA-7192-S WW I —◁Runout Side B etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Bronze 21-027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Australia | Bronze 21 027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 8252 / Bronze WB 8252First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | France | Bronze BRZ 014First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Bronze 17 194 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Bronze 17 760 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Ireland | Bronze BRO 29First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | Bronze BRO 29First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Mexico | Ariola S-090First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Bronze 17 194 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Bronze 21 027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Bronze 21027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Portugal | Bronze 5000029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Rhodesia | Bronze TOS 1077First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | South Africa | Bronze TOS 1077First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 8252 / Bronze WB 82527", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
34 vinyl pressings of Blinded By The Light are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Bronze BRO 29, released July 30, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRO 29, WBS 8252, WB 8252, P-61B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BRO 29 A-4 ARUN L 1 and BRO 29 B1 T E.G. 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.
