Vinyl pressings
by Randy Crawford · 1989
Knockin' On Heaven's Door was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-A 1 4 HRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-B 1 0 HRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-A HRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-B 1 8 HRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-A 1 4 HRunout stamped/etched side A
R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-B H 10Runout stamped/etched side B
922 865-7/ALabel side A
922 865-7/BLabel side B
W 2865 - A - 1 C MTA Side
W 2865 - B - 1 B MTB Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 922 865-7 / Warner Bros. Records W2865First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records W2865TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 922 865-7 / Warner Bros. Records W2865First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 921 348-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Hong Kong | Warner Bros. RecordsFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Jamaica | Warner Bros. Records 7-22865First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1989 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 1.143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W2865First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-22865First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1989 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-3635First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-22865-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-228657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Knockin' On Heaven's Door are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 922 865-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 922 865-7, W2865T, W2865, 7-22865) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-A 1 4 H and R/S Alsdorf 922865-7-B 1 0 H. 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.
