Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1972
Rockin' Robin was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 22 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.
TVC M1197F-60767-1A-RE. IA-Side Runout Etching
TVC M.K. M1197F-60800-2A RE IB-Side Runout Etching
60767A-Side Label
60800B-Side Label
M1197F-60767-1A A-1ARunout A-side (var 1)
M1197F-60800-2A B-1BRunout B-side (var 1)
M1197F-60767-1A R̶E̶-̶I̶ A-1CRunout A-side (var 2)
M1197F-60800-2A B-1BRunout B-side (var 2)
𝓐𝓡𝓟Both sides: Script Logo-Stamped
60767Label side A
60800Label side B
M-1197F-60767-1FLRunout side A
M-1197F-60800-2FLRunout side B
60767Label side A
60800Label side B
[ARP] M-1197F-60767-1ARunout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
[ARP] M1197F-60800-2ARunout, side B, etched, except [stamped]
60767Label side A
60800Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Tamla Motown TMS-0588First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Canada | Tamla Motown M-1197FFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Finland | Tamla Motown 5E 006-93326First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Tamla Motown 2 C 006-93.326 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-93 326First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-93 326First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM NP 64124First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Mexico | Tamla Motown 7094First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93326 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 326First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93326 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 326First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.827First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 816First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Pakistan | Tamla Motown TMG 816First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Singapore | Tamla Motown TMG-20001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Tamla Motown M 1197F7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
43 vinyl pressings of Rockin' Robin are listed here, from 23 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Ireland, Portugal and more. One of them is Motown M 1197F, released February 17, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 1197F, M 1197 F, M 1197F A, TMG 816) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TVC M1197F-60767-1A-RE. I and TVC M.K. M1197F-60800-2A RE I. 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.
