Vinyl pressings
by Pointer Sisters · 1975
Live Your Life Before You Die was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BTA 262-262-AS-1D T1A-Side Runout Etching
BTA 262-262-BS-1C T1B-Side Runout Etching
BTA 262-262-AS-1EA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
BTA 262-262-BS-1FB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
BTA 262-262-AS-1A s1A-Side Runout Etching
BTA 262-262-BS-1B ssB-Side Runout Etching
45-262-ASA-Side Label
45-262-BSB-Side Label
ABC 4048 A-1UA-side runout, stamped
ABC 4048 B-1UB-side runout, stamped
ABC.4048AA-side label
ABC.4048BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Blue Thumb Records K-5872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 13 945 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Blue Thumb Records BTA 262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Blue Thumb Records K5872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | ABC Records ABC 4048First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | ABC Records ABC 4048First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTA-262First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTA-2627", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1975 | US | ABC Blue Thumb JET-2301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTA 262XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTA-262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTA-262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Live Your Life Before You Die are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Blue Thumb BTA-262, released February 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTA-262, JET-2301, ABC 4048, BTA 262X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BTA 262-262-AS-1D T1 and BTA 262-262-BS-1C T1. 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.
