Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1988
Forever Young was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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 927796-7-A |- W-7796-ARunout stamped/etched side A (variant 1)
R/S Alsdorf 927796-7-B 2 W 7796 - B2Runout stamped side B (variant 1)
R/S Alsdorf 927796-7-A W-7796-A 22Runout stamped/etched side A (variant 2)
R/S Alsdorf 927796-7-B 2x= W 7796-Bx²Runout stamped/etched side B (variant 2)
7-27796A-SR I DMM I - I PrecisionRunout, Side A, Etched
7-27796B - SR 1 DMM I - I PrecisionRunout, Side B, Etched
7-27796-ALabel Side A
7-27796-BLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records DFW-132First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-27796First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 77967First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 77967First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 927 796-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 921 030-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Hong Kong | WEAFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 7796-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO-327First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 9277967First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 972First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W7796 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 7796First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W7796First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Forever Young are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 927 796-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 927 796-7, 921 030-0, W7796 T, W 7796) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 927796-7-A |- W-7796-A and R/S Alsdorf 927796-7-B 2 W 7796 - B2. 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.
