Vinyl pressings
by Samson · 1980
Head On was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
GEM-LP-108-A-1 BERTIE BERTIE A2E RAYSSide A, variant 1
GEM-LP-108-B-1 RAYS A10 .W. DONT BE A CARPETSide B, variant 1
GEM LP· 108-A-1 ·W· BERTIE BERTIE A2P RAYSSide A, etched, variant 2
GEM LP 108· B1 RAYS A1W ·W· DON'T BE A CARPETSide B, etched, variant 2
GEM 108 A-2 LP AIL ARON WSide A. Etched.
GEM 108 B-2 ARON W AIFSide B. Etched.
RCA PL 43353 - A ✻Runout, side A
RCA PL 43353 - B PFRunout, side B
PL 43353-AOn center label, side A
PL 43353-BOn center label, side B
B RPL 8016A 111+ XSide A,
RPL 8016B 111+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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | RCA PL 43353First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA PL 43353First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPL-8016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | GEM GEMLP 108First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | GEM GEMLP 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | GEM GEMLP 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK & Europe | RCA 43353LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Germany | Repertoire Records RR-2015-LHLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Repertoire Records RR-2015-LHLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Spain | Vemsa VLP-401LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Earmark 41044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Back On Black BOBV503LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Back On Black BOBV503LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | Culture Factory CFU01210LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Culture Factory USA, Inc. CFU01263LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Head On are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, France, Germany, Japan. One of them is GEM GEMLP 108.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GEMLP 108, PL 43353, RPL-8016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GEM-LP-108-A-1 BERTIE BERTIE A2E RAYS and GEM-LP-108-B-1 RAYS A10 .W. DONT BE A CARPET. 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.
