Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1976
Tonight's The Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
RIVA-3-A4A-side run-out, stamped - Variant 1
RIVA-3-B5B-side run-out, stamped - Variant 1
RIVA.3.A4A-side run-out, stamped - Variant 2
RIVA.3.B4B-side run-out, stamped - Variant 2
RIVA-3-A6A-side run-out, stamped - Variant 1
RIVA-3-B6B-side run-out, stamped - Variant 1
RIVA-3-A8A-side run-out, stamped - Variant 2
RIVA-3-B8B-side run-out, stamped - Variant 2
RIVA 3∙A5 ARUNSide A runout stamped - ARUN hand-etched
RIVA∙3∙B5Side B runout stamped
RIVA 3 ASide A label
RIVA 3 BSide B label
RIVA-3-A8 ARUNA-side runout, variant 1
RIVA-3-B8B-side runout, variant 1
RIVA 3∙A5 1 C ARUNA-side runout, variant 2
RIVA∙3∙B5 20 AB-side runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WB 6643First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records 16763First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.008First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | Warner Bros. Records 16 763First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 16763First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 16763 / Warner Bros. Records WB 16.763First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records 0008262.0First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records N-S-63-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Sweden | Warner Bros. Records 16 763First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Riva RIVA 3First year7", Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1976 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records 16763First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Riva RIVA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Riva RIVA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Riva RIVA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Riva RIVA 3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Tonight's The Night are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Belgium, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Riva RIVA 3, released May 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RIVA 3, 16763, WB 16 763, P-28W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RIVA-3-A4 and RIVA-3-B5. 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.
