Vinyl pressings
by Powerline · 1981
Journey 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.
6 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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.
DAZZ 7A-1 Boppin' Bob = HAVE FUN IN '81! = EGRunout side A, etched
DAZZ 7B-1 EG - DE LANE LEA - ANDY STRIKES AGAIN!Runout side B, etched
Dazz 7ALabel side A
Dazz 7BLabel side B
PRLD-624-AS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie :v) Francois K (EDP[circled])Runout side A
PRLD-624-BS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie :v) F K (EDP[circled])Runout side B
PRL D 624 ASLabel side A
PRL D 624 BSLabel side B
PRLD-624-AS-RERunout Side A Etchings
PRLD-624-BS-RERunout Side B Etchings
PRL D624 ASLabel Side A
PRL D624 BSLabel Side B
PRLD-624-AS-RERunout Side A Etchings
PRLD-624-BS-RERunout Side B Etchings
PRLD-624-ASLabel Side A
PRLD-624-BSLabel Side B
P RLD-6244-1A T Columbia NYRunout side A
P P RLD-624B-1A T Columbia NYRunout side B
PRL D 624 ASLabel side A
PRL D 624 BSLabel side B
PRLD-624-AS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE [smiley face] FRANCOIS K [EDP logo]A-Side Runout
PRLD-624-BS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE [smiley face] FK [EDP logo]B-Side Runout
PRL D 543 ASA-Side Label
PRL D 543 BSB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Elite DAZZ 7First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 624First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 543First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 62412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D624First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D624First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 624First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | US | Wave Classics WC50035-112", Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1998 | US | Wave Classics WC 50035-112", Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Wave Classics WC50035-112", Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | Mr Bongo MRB12047 / Elite12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2019 | UK | Mr Bongo MRB1204712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
12 vinyl pressings of Journey are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US. One of them is Elite DAZZ 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DAZZ 7, PRL D 624, PRL D624, PRL D 543) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DAZZ 7A-1 Boppin' Bob = HAVE FUN IN '81! = EG and DAZZ 7B-1 EG - DE LANE LEA - ANDY STRIKES AGAIN!. 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.
