Vinyl pressings
by Ronnie Milsap · 1976
Live 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.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
APL1 2043A 1S I AI B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side A
APL1 2043B 2S I B2 E ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side B
APL1-2043-ALabel side A
APL1-2043-BLabel side B
APL1 H 2043A 1S I ΛI2 AA ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A Stamped [Last I & AA ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K Etched] (P Crossed Out)
APL1 H 2043B 2S I B2 KK ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B Stamped [KK ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K Etched] (P Crossed Out)
PL12043-1E-(A SIDE)A side
PL 12043 - 1EB side
PL 12043-A-1E PL.12043.A.1E A1C WVariant 1 Side A etched
PL.12043.B.1E A1B WVariant 1 Side B etched
PL 12043 AA side label
PL 12043 BB side label
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 | Canada | RCA CPL1-2043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-2043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | RCA APL1-2043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | RCA PL12043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor PL12043 / RCA Victor APL1 2043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA APL1-2043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA AHL1-2043First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | US | RCA AHL1-4255First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA RVP-6191LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-12043LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | RCA International AYL1 4255LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor AYL1-4255LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor AYL1-4255LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA APL1-2043.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-2043, AHL1-2043, AHL1-4255, PL12043) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL1 2043A 1S I AI B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and APL1 2043B 2S I B2 E ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄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.
