Vinyl pressings
by Nona Hendryx · 1985
The Heat was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
AFL1-5465-A-1 MASTERDISK HW I A1KRunout A, variant 1
AFL1-5465-B-2 MASTERDISK HW I A1GRunout B, variant 1
AFL1-5465-A-1 MASTERDISK HW I A1DRunout A, variant 2
AFL1-5465-ALabel A
AFL1-5465-A CRSide A runout
AFL1-5465-B CRSide B runout
DM B-3083 A-1/85 S I IRunout side A, variant 1
DM B-3083 B-1/85 S I IRunout Side B, variant 1
DM B-3083 A-1/85 S I I IIIRunout side A, variant 2
DM B-3083 B-1/85 S I I IIRunout side B, variant 2
20352 A' FRunout side A, etched
20352 B' FRunout side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 5465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-5465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85465First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20352First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20352LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85465First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1 5465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-5465 / RCA AFL1-5465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | RCA ML 4827First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8319 / RCA JPL1-8929First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Heat are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, South Africa, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-5465.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-5465, ML 4827, APL1 5465, PL85465) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-5465-A-1 MASTERDISK HW I A1K and AFL1-5465-B-2 MASTERDISK HW I A1G. 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.
