Vinyl pressings
by Rick Wakeman · 1979
Rhapsodies was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
19-A&M-68508-1A-1Side A runout variant 1
19-A&M-68508-1B-1 AM.SP 16006 INT.M1 D24276-XSide B runout variant 1
19-A&M-68508-1C-1 AM SP 16007 INT M2 D24279Side C runout variant 1
19-A&M-68508-1D-1 AM SP 16008 INT M1 D24279-XSide D runout variant 1
19-A&M-68508-2A-1A side runout, stamped
19-A&M-68508-1B-1 AM SP 16006 INT·M1 [Trumpet Symbol] ▽24276-XB side runout, stamped/etched
19-A&M-68508-1C-1C side runout, stamped
19-A&M-68508-1D-1 AM SP 16008 INT·M1 ▽24279-X [Trumpet Symbol]D side runout, stamped/etched
19-A&M-68508-1A-1A side runout, stamped
19-A&M-68508-1B-1B side runout, stamped
19-A&M-68508-1C-1C side runout, stamped
19-A&M-68508-1D-1D side runout, stamped
AMLX- 68508-A-3 Ʊ visit SwitzerlandRunout A-side, variant 1
AMLX- 68508-B.3 Ʊ bring moneyRunout B-side, variant 1
AMLX-68508-C-3 Ʊ lots of moneyRunout C-side, variant 1
AMLX-68508-D-4 Ʊ go homeRunout D-side, variant 1
16005 A̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶9̶0̶3̶5̶ RC1. I Λ ERunout Side A, variant 1
16006 A̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶9̶0̶3̶6̶ RC1. I Λ1BRunout Side B, variant 1
16007 A̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶9̶0̶3̶7̶ RC2. I Λ13ERunout Side C, variant 1
16008 A̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶9̶0̶3̶8̶ RC3 I Λ5HXRunout Side D, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | A&M Records 8589/90First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records L 70121/2 / A&M Records LX 68508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 164 62955 / 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP·6501 / A&M Records SP-6501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP- 6501First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 68 508 / A&M Records AMLX 68508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 68508 / A&M Records SP 6501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 68508 / A&M Records SP 6501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMLX 68508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-9003~4First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-9003~4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | A&M Records SLAMB-132 / A&M Records 33C 162-62955/6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 70121/2 / A&M Records LX 68508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | A&M Records PPSP 6051/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | A&M Records SP·6501 / A&M Records SP-6501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Venezuela | A&M Records A&M-7050LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLX 68508LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Rhapsodies are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Europe, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLX 68 508.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLX 68 508, AMLX 68508, SP-6501, 8589/90) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19-A&M-68508-1A-1 and 19-A&M-68508-1B-1 AM.SP 16006 INT.M1 D24276-X. 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.
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII
1973 · 123 pressings
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
1974 · 114 pressings
The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table
1975 · 100 pressings
Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record
1977 · 57 pressings
White Rock
1976 · 51 pressings
No Earthly Connection
1976 · 44 pressings
