Vinyl pressings
by Reunion · 1974
Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me) was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 16 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.
PB-10056-A I STERLING I A2Runout, Side A, stamped, [PB-10056-A etched], variant 1
PB-10056-B 2 STERLING I A5Runout, Side B, stamped, [PB-10056-B etched], variant 1
PB-10056-A 2 1 STERLING A6Runout, Side A, stamped, [PB-10056-A etched], variant 2
PB-10056-B 1 STERLING I A4Runout, Side B, stamped, [PB-10056-B etched], variant 2
PB-10056-A-2S STERLING HEtched Side A, except STERLING H stamped
PB-10056-B-2S H STERLINGEtched Side B, except H STERLING stamped
PB-10056-C-2S STERLINGMono runout
PB-10056-A-2S STERLINGStereo runout
PA-10056-CMono label
PB-10056-AStereo label
PB 10056 A//1 R 1 1 3Runout A: Machine stamped
PB 10056 B//1 R 1 1 2 1Runout B: Machine stamped
KEVRunout A & B: Hand etched
DKAS 30270Label side A
DKAS 30271Label side B
PB-10056-A 2 I STERLING A2Stamped Side A, except PB-10056-A etched
PB-10056- 2 STERLING I A5Stamped Side B, except PB-10056-B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor 102503First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 910056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | RCA Victor 101.4051First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10056First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | France | RCA Victor PB 10056First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RCA Victor PB 10056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RCA PB 10056 / RCA PB-10 056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RCA Victor PB-10 056 / RCA Victor 26.11 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-4100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-4100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-10056First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RCA Victor PB 10056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Peru | RCA Victor PB-10056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Portugal | RCA Victor PA-10056 / Telectra PA-10056First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RCA Victor GB-104917", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor GB-104917", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me) are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor PB-10056.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-10056, JH-10056, PB 10056, 102503) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-10056-A I STERLING I A2 and PB-10056-B 2 STERLING I A5. 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.
