Vinyl pressings
by Showaddywaddy · 1975
Three Steps To Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
BELL 1426 A-1U LOUIE WHO?Stamped + etched side A runout variant 1
BELL 1426 B-1UStamped side B runout variant 1
BELL 1426 A-1U RGH 4 LOUIE WHO?Stamped + etched side A runout variant 2
BELL 1426 B-1U GLP 5Stamped side B runout variant 2
BELL 1426 A-4U RGD 1A side runout stamped
BELL 1426 B-1U GLL 5B side runout stamped
96 597 A-1Runout side A
96 597 B-1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Bell Records BELL-10823First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006-96597 / Bell Records 4C 006-96597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Arista AS 0143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Bell Records 1C 006-96 597 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Bell Records 3C 006 96597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | Arista BLPB 248-ARFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Bell Records 5C 006-96597 / Bell Records 5C 006-96 597First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Portugal | Bell Records 8E00696597 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Rhodesia | Bell Records BLJ 110First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | Bell Records 1 J 006-96.597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELL 1426First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELL 1426First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELL 1426First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton SB 88854 / Bell Records SB-88854First year7", Single | 7", Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Three Steps To Heaven are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Belgium, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Bell Records BELL 1426.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BELL 1426, 4C 006-96597, AS 0143, 1C 006-96 597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BELL 1426 A-1U LOUIE WHO? and BELL 1426 B-1U. 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.
