Vinyl pressings
by Robert Gordon · 1982
Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 3 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.
AFL1 4380A 1 A2 JSide A runout, stamped; "J" etched - variant 1
AFL1 4380B 1 A2 KSide B runout, stamped; "K" etched - variant 1
AFL1 4380A 1 A1 ASide A runout, stamped; "A" etched - variant 2
AFL1 4380B 1 A2 ESide B runout, stamped; "E" etched - variant 2
AFL1 4380 A (CR) G.Runout side A
AFL1 4380 B (CR) G.Runout side B
PL-14380 PL-14380ARunout Side A, Stamped
PL-14380 PL-14380BRunout Side B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | RCA KYL1-0531First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Canada | RCA AFL1-4380First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 14380First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-4380First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA NL-85165LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA NL-85165LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA NL-85165LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | RCA NL-85165LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA KYL 1-0531LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | RCA AYL1-5165LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1982 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, Spain. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4380, released July 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4380, KYL1-0531, PL 14380) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1 4380A 1 A2 J and AFL1 4380B 1 A2 K. 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.
