Vinyl pressings
by REO Speedwagon · 1987
Life As We Know It was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
01-450380-11A-1 ARunout side A, Stamped variant 1
01-450380-7B-1 ARunout side B, Stamped variant 1
01-450380-11A ARunout side A, Stamped variant 2
01-450380-7B-1 ARunout side B, Stamped variant 2
450380-1 A2 [AD2]Runout A, etched, [stamped]
450380-1 B2Runout A, etched
PAL-40444-1A G FUTURE DISCRunout side A, variant 1
PBL-40444-1B GRunout side A, variant 1
PAL 40444-1D FUTURE DISC [-] G1 E4Runout side B, variant 2
PBL-40444-1B G1 B 1 ORunout side B, variant 2
AL-40444 1B2HZ. DM-2Side A runout, variant 1
BL-40444 1A2HZ. DM-4Side B runout, variant 1
AL-40444 1B2HZSide A runout, variant 2
BL-40444 1A2HZSide B runout, variant 2
28-3P-805A1
28-3P-805B1
C-136-SLP20472-A
C-136-SLP20472-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Epic 147-267First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Epic 450380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | Epic 19416First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Europe | Epic EPC 450380 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Epic EPC 450380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Epic EPC 450380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | Epic LNS-450380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | CBS KJPL-0513First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Spain | Epic EPC 450380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Epic 450380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Epic FE 40444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | USA & Canada | Epic E2S 2640LP, Promo, Transcription · Promo | LP, Promo, Transcription · Promo |
| 1987 | Venezuela | Epic EPIC 322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Epic FE 40444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Epic 28·3P-805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Epic FE 40444LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Life As We Know It are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC 450380 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 450380 1, 450380 1, FE 40444, 28·3P-805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-450380-11A-1 A and 01-450380-7B-1 A. 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.
