Vinyl pressings
by Muddy Waters · 1981
King Bee was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
T1 o AL 37064-1C A 2 2 STERLING gcSide A runout
o T1 BL⸱37064-1C 2 STERLING gc B 5Side B runout
AL 37064Side A label
BL 37064Side B label
AL-37064-1A 2 STERLING GC PSide A runout, variant 1
BL-37064-1E B2 STERLING 1 SSide B runout, variant 1
AL-37064-1B 2 STERLING GC PSide A runout, variant 2
BL-37064-1B B2 STERLING 1 SSide A runout, variant 2
SKY 84918 A1Side A, Variation 1
SKY 84918 B2Side B, Variation 1
SKY 84918 -A1Side A, Etched, Variant 2
SKY 84918-B1Side B, Etched, Variant 2
SKY CBS5-84918-A1Side A (Runout)
SKY 84918 B2Side B (Runout)
SKY 84918 A*Side A (Label)
SKY 84918 B*Side B (Label)
AL 37064 1A 2HZ DM1Side A runout, etched
BL 37064 1A 2HZ DM3Side B runout, etched
AL 37064Side A label
BL 37064Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4200First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Blue Sky SKY 84918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Blue Sky 84918 / Blue Sky SKY 84918First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS STR 31009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Blue Sky SKY 84918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Blue Sky SKY 84918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Blue Sky SKY 84918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky PZ 37064LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky PZ 37064LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky JZ 37064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky PZ 37064LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky PZ 37064LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Blue Sky JZ 37064 / Epic JZ 37064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Blue Sky JZ 37064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Friday Music FRM-37064 / Blue Sky 88843079431LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2014 | Europe | Blue Sky MOVLP841 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP841LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Blue Sky FRM-37064 / Friday Music FRM-37064LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Blue Sky MOVLP841 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP841LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Epic WJZ 37064 / Blue Sky WJZ 37064LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Blue Sky 32532LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Blue Sky 32532LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Epic SKY 32532 / Blue Sky 32532LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Blue Sky SKY 32532LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Sky PZ 37064LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of King Bee are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Blue Sky JZ 37064, released April 10, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 37064, SKY 84918, ELPS 4200, 84918) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 o AL 37064-1C A 2 2 STERLING gc and o T1 BL⸱37064-1C 2 STERLING gc B 5. 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.
