Vinyl pressings
by Patti Smith Group · 1979
So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star 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.
11 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AS.0453.SB-1A MCR JoeA-side runout, variant 1
AS.0453.SA-1B MCR JoeB-side runout, variant 1
p AS.0453.SB-1B MCR JoeA-side runout, variant 2
p AS.0453.SB-1A MCR JoeB-side runout, variant 2
AS-0453-SA-1C MCR SOL (T1 inverted) TRunout A Side
AS 0453-SB-1D MCR SOL (T11 inverted)Runout B Side
AS 0453-SALabel Matrix A Side
AS 0453-SBLabel Matrix B Side
AS.0453.SB-1F MCR Joe SSSA-side runout etching, variant 1
AS.0453.SA-1E MCR Joe SSB-side runout etching, variant 1
AS 0453-SAA-side label
AS 0453-SBB-side label
AS·0453·SB-1B MCR JoeA-side runout etching
AS.0453.SB-1A MCR JoeB-side runout etching
AS 0453A-side label
AS 0453B-side label
AS.0453.SAF-1B MCR JoeScribed side A, variant 1
AS.0453.SAB-1A MCR JoeScribed side B, variant 1
AS.0453.SAF-1B MCR JoeScribed side A, variant 2
AS.0453.SB-1A MCR JoeScribed side B, variant 2
AS-0453.SAF-1D MCR JoeRunout side A
AS:0453-SB-1D MCR Joe TIIRunout side B
AS 453-SAFLabel Side A
AS 0453-SBLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Arista 2C 008 63299 / Arista 2C008-63.299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Arista 6RS-35First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Arista ARIST 291First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | Arista AS 0453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Arista AS 0453.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 0453, ARIST 291, 2C 008 63299, 6RS-35) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS.0453.SB-1A MCR Joe and AS.0453.SA-1B MCR Joe. 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.
