Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1978
Hot Legs / I Was Only Joking was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WEA- 17089- A PFRunout side A, etched
WEA 17089 - B PFRunout side B, etched
17 089 ALabel side A
17 089 BLabel side B
RIVA 10 -A-1 timtom TBRunout, side A
RIVA 10 -A2 tim's 2 TBRunout, side AA
RIVA 10 A1Label, side A
RIVA 10 A2Label, side AA
tim's RIVA 10 A1 // 1 CStamped runout, side A ("tim's", etched)
RIVA 10 A2 //2 C TyStamped runout, side AA ("Ty", etched)
RIVA-10-A-1 ARUN VRunout Area Side A
RIVA-10-A-2-4Runout Area 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Ireland | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Ireland | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-2012First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1658 / Hispavox 45-1658 (SN)7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1658 / Hispavox 45-1658 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1658 / Hispavox 45-1658 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RIVA 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records 17.089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 089 / Warner Bros. Records WB 17 089-NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Hot Legs / I Was Only Joking are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, Belgium, Netherlands and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 17 089, released January 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 17 089, RIVA 10, 17.089, WB 17.089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA- 17089- A PF and WEA 17089 - B PF. 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.
