Vinyl pressings
by MC5 · 1969
Tonight / Looking At You was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
A-17696-3̶ 6 LW AT GM Recording Det. SRC Milan XSide A, etched / stamped
A-17697-3̶ 6 LW AT GM Recording Det. SRC Milan XSide B, etched / stamped
A-17696 SPSide A label
A-17697 SPSide B label
A-17696-8 15 GM Recording Det AT MilanRunout, Etched, Side A
A-17697+4 15 AT GM Recording Det Milan XRunout, Etched, Side B
A-17696-PLLabel, Side A
A-17697-PLLabel, Side B
A-ST-17696-4̶ 1 SRC GM Recording Det. LW AT Milan XSide A
MFG. BY "SPECIALTY RECORDS" BACKING PLATESide B
A-17696-3̶ 6 LW AT GM Recording Det. Milan XRunout side A, etched
A-17697-2̶ 5 LW AT GM Recording Det. Milan XRunout side B, etched
A-17696 SPLabel side A
A-17697 SPLabel side B
A-ST-17696-4̶ 1 SRC GM Recording Det. LW AT Milan XSide A, etched / stamped
A-ST-A-17697-1 SRC LW AT GM Recording Det. X MilanSide B, etched / stamped
A-ST-17696 SPLabel, side A
A-ST-17697 SPLabel, side B
A-17696-4 2-MO-RE 1 GM Recording Det. LW AT △ 78208 Milan XSide A, etched / stamped
A-17697-5 2-MO-RE AT GM Recording Det. △ 78208 X Milan XSide B, etched / stamped
A-17696-MOLabel, side A
A-17697-MOLabel, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | France | Atlantic 650 179 / Atlantic 650179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Atlantic 650 1797", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1969 | Germany | Atlantic Atl. 70407 / Atlantic Atl. 70.407First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 484First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2678First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | Atlantic DT11447", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Japan | Atlantic DT 11447", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | Spain | Atlantic H 579 / Hispavox H-5797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Tonight / Looking At You are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, France, Germany, South Africa. One of them is Atlantic 45-2678.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2678, 650 179, Atl. 70407, ATS 484) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-17696-3̶ 6 LW AT GM Recording Det. SRC Milan X and A-17697-3̶ 6 LW AT GM Recording Det. SRC Milan X. 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.
