US
May 1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records K12651
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · MGM Pressing
- Runout / matrix
H 58 XY 77 2Var. 1: runout A
58 XY 78 ⇧ 12Var. 1: runout B
58 XY 77 ⇧ 2 EVar. 2: runout A
58 X 78 ⇧ 14 BVar. 2: runout B
Sheb WooleyThe Purple People Eater
Vinyl pressings
The Purple People Eater
by Sheb Wooley · 1958
29 pressings7 countriesRock & RollNoveltyHorror RockRock
The Purple People Eater was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Purple People Eater
13 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 6 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.
US
May 1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records K12651
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · MGM Record Manufacturing Division Pressing
- Runout / matrix
K-12651 58-XY-77-16Deadwax A variant 1
K-12651 58-XY-78-4Deadwax B variant 1
58 XY 77 ["Sailor's cap", a.k.a., inverted "crown" stamp] 5 CRunout A variant 2
58 XY 79 ["Sailor's cap", a.k.a., inverted "crown" stamp] 5 BRunout B variant 2
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records 12651
- Format
- 10", 78 RPM, Single
US
May 1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records K12651
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint · MGM Record Manufacturing Division Pressing
- Runout / matrix
58-XY-77Label A
58-XY-78Label B
58 XY 77 ["Sailor's cap", a.k.a., inverted "crown" stamp] 5 K
58 XY 78 6 F
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records K12651
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
(Matrix) 58-XY-77Side A
(Matrix) 58-XY-78Side B
UK
1958- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records 45-MGM-981
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · 1st pressing (I Can't Believe You're Mine)
- Runout / matrix
58-XY-77-1N 0 XT 1Side A stamped runout
58-XY-78-1N P XT 1Side B stamped runout
(58-XY-77)Side A label
(58-XY-78)Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 29 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Australia | MGM Records 45-MGM-5261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Australia | MGM Records 78-MGM-5261First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Canada | MGM Records K12651First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Japan | MGM Records LL-2029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Norway | MGM Records 45-MGM-981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records 45-MGM-981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records MGM.981First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records 45-MGM 981First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1958 | US | MGM Records K12651First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1958 | US | MGM Records 12651First year10", 78 RPM, Single | 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | MGM Records K12651First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | MGM Records K12651First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | MGM Records K12651First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
1960s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | MGM Records KGC1477", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | MGM Records K 146477", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
Year unknown14 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MGM Records M-G-M 9.399Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | MGM Records 12651Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | MGM Records MGC 50077", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor MVG 5237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC1477", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor MVG 5237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | MGM Records MVG 523 / MGM Records 2006 2237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor 871 904-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC 1477", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC 1477", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | MGM Records MVG 523 / MGM Records 2006 2237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records MVG 523 / MGM Records 2006 2237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records MVG-5237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC 1477", 45 RPM, Misprint, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Reissue |
Tracklist
- AThe Purple People Eater2:11
- BI Can't Believe You're Mine2:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Purple People Eater are there?
29 vinyl pressings of The Purple People Eater are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1958 and 1973.
When was The Purple People Eater first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MGM Records K12651, released May 1958.
How do I tell if my copy of The Purple People Eater is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K12651, 12651, 45-MGM-981, MGM.981) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, H 58 XY 77 2 and 58 XY 78 ⇧ 12. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Purple People Eater on vinyl worth?
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.