Vinyl pressings
by Phoebe Snow · 1981
Rock Away 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
ST-WTG- 814655- (D) + SLM + TML S 0-1 SM3-3 SPSide A runout
ST-WTG- 814656- (D) + SLM + TML S SP △584-X 0-1SM 2-1Side B runout
ST-WTG-814655-SPSide A label
ST-WTG-814656-SPSide B label
ST-WTG-814655-(D) + SLM +++ TML-S △584 (3) B-15528Side One Runout, etched (except "SLM" and "TML-S")
ST-WTG-814656-(D) + SLM ++ TML-S + △584-X -(3) B-15529Side Two Runout, etched (except "SLM" and "TML-S")
ST-WTG-814655-ARSide One Label
ST-WTG-814656-ARSide Two Label
K+50780+A2 STRAWBERRY W-4Runout side A, variant 1
K-50780-A2 W-1KD 1Runout side B, variant 1
K + 50780 + A2 W-1KD STRAWBERRYRunout side A, variant 2
K - 50780 - B1 W-7KDRunout side B, variant 2
XWTG•1929̶6̶•A• TLC-A NC. Q 192979̶2̶7̶6̶Side A runout
XWTG•1̶9̶2̶7̶6̶•B• TLC-A• NC. Q 19297Side B runout
R/S Alsdorf 5078 A2 STRAWBERRY GRunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 5078 BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Mirage WTG 19297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Mirage XWTG 19297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Mirage MIR 50 780First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Mirage MIR 50780First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mirage P-10993AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mirage P-10993AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mirage MIR 50 780First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Mirage ATC 9773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Mirage K50780First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1981 | US | Mirage WTG 19297First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mirage WTG 19297First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mirage WTG 19297 / Atlantic WTG 19297LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Mirage WTG 19297 / Mirage R 124082LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
13 vinyl pressings of Rock Away are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mirage WTG 19297.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WTG 19297, K50780, XWTG 19297, MIR 50 780) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-WTG- 814655- (D) + SLM + TML S 0-1 SM3-3 SP and ST-WTG- 814656- (D) + SLM + TML S SP △584-X 0-1SM 2-1. 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.
