Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1985
Alive & Kicking was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 19 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.
V-S-817-12-A 2 U-1-1-MASTERDISKRunout A, variant 1
V-S-817-12-B 2 U-1-1-MASTERDISKRunout B, variant 1
V-S-817-12-A / U-1-- :..4 MASTERDISK RLRunout A, variant 2
V-S-817-12-B/U-1-:.. I MASTERDISKRunout B, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE VS 817-13 A GRAMPIANRunout side A
VS 817-13 GRAMPIAN BARRY WOODWARDRunout side B
VS 817-13-ASide A label
VS 817-13-BSide B label
VS 817-13 A TOWNHOUSE GRAMPIANEtched runout side A
VS 817-13 B GRAMPIAN BARRY WOODWARDEtched runout side B
VS 817-13-ALabel side A
VS 817-13-BLabel side B
V-S-817-A1 RLHandwritten Side A - Variant 1
U-1- 2- MASTERDISK 7Stamped Side A - Variant 1
V-S- 817-B1 RLHandwritten Side B - Variant 1
U-1-1-C MASTERDISKStamped Side B - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS-817First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 817-12First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1287First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VS1287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | El Salvador | Virgin VI-021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 038 / Virgin 602 038-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 107 695 / Virgin 107 695-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 038 / Virgin 602 038-21312", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 038 / Virgin 602 038-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 80 207 / Virgin 80207First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008177First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008177First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin 60203812", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | Virgin VG 2049ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Unknown | Deadly Silly Ones DO 00712", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
53 vinyl pressings of Alive & Kicking are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1985 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Virgin VS817-12, released September 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS817-12, VS817-13, VS 817, VS 817-12DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-S-817-12-A 2 U-1-1-MASTERDISK and V-S-817-12-B 2 U-1-1-MASTERDISK. 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.
