Vinyl pressings
by Nostromo · 1979
Alien was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
BRO 80 A-1U KEV. KENNY BOY V 1Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BRO 80 B-1U KEV. KENNY BOY V 1Side B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BRO 80 A-2U G KEV KENNY BOY 1 I'M ONE CANSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
BRO 80 B-2U L 1 KEV. KENNYBOYSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
12 BRO 80 A-1U KEV AND KENNY BOYRunout side A, stamped/etched
12 BRO 80 B-1URunout side B, stamped
12BRO 80-ALabel side A
12BRO 80-BLabel side B
SMX·55461 ··W2A 3·38Side A runout, etched
SMX 55462 W2A 3·19Side B runout, etched
MX-55461Side A label
MX55462Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Bronze BRZ 022First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Bronze 101 070 / Bronze 101 070-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Bronze BRO 80First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Mexico | Ariola S-374First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Bronze BRO 80First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Bronze 100.070-AFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze 12 BRO 80 / Bronze 12BRO 80First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze 12 BRO 80First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 80First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Uruguay | RCA Victor 33UR 511First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Bronze K7673 / Bronze BRO 80First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 80First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 80First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Bronze BR78/57", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Alien are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Bronze BRO 80, released September 21, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRO 80, 12 BRO 80, K7673, BRZ 022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BRO 80 A-1U KEV. KENNY BOY V 1 and BRO 80 B-1U KEV. KENNY BOY V 1. 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.
