Vinyl pressings
by Sky · 1983
Sky Five Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
020 302 169 A-3 V Made in GermanySide A (etched & stamped)
020 302169 B-1 IV Made in GermanySide B (etched & stamped)
302170 A-1 II Made in GermanySide C (etched & stamped)
020 302170 -B-1 Made in GermanySide D (etched & stamped)
020 302 169-A-3 Ⅱ Made in GermanyRunout, side A, etched, [Made In Germany - stamped], variant 1
020 302169 B-1 IV Made in GermanyRunout, side B, stamped, [020 IV etched], variant 1
302170 A-2 Ⅱ Made in GermanyRunout, side C, stamped, [Ⅱ etched], variant 1
302170 B-1 Ⅲ Made in GermanyRunout, side D, stamped, [Ⅲ etched], variant 1
SMX-60437A Side runout
SMX-60438B Side runout
W2A / W2B / W2CWarren Barnett's marks, etched on runouts
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Ariola 302 171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Ariola 811315-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Ariola 811315-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Italy | Ariola 2 ARL 39160First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Ariola 20RS-43~44First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Ariola 20RS-43-44First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Ariola 302171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Ariola ARI 99001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Ariola ARL 8033/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Ariola 302 171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK & Europe | Ariola 302 171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Ariola 302 171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Arista L 60003/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Germany | Not On LabelLP, Sampler | LP, Sampler |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Arista L70215/6LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Ariola XD 302 171LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Sky Five Live are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1983 and 1996.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Europe, UK, Australia, Greece and more. One of them is Ariola 302 171, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 302 171, L 60003/4, 811315-1, 2 ARL 39160) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 020 302 169 A-3 V Made in Germany and 020 302169 B-1 IV Made in Germany. 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.
