Vinyl pressings
by Stone City Band · 1981
The Boys Are Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
[etched]G8-1001M1(B-15A) ZXG#13 BAF [stamped]MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB.Side One Runout
[etched]G8-1001-M1(B-15B) ZXG#13 BAF [stamped]MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB.Side Two Runout
G8-1001M1ASide One Label
G8-1001M1BSide Two Label
G8-1001M1ASide One Label
G8-1001M1BSide Two Label
G8-1001M1ASide One Label
G8-1001M1BSide Two Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Motown G8-1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Gordy G 1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Motown 519008 / Vogue 519008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 260·15·014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 260·15·014First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIP-6772First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | Motown MOW-26First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.117First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Motown STML 12150 / Motown 0C 062-64 281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Motown G8-1001M1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Boys Are Back are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy G8-1001M1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G8-1001M1, STML 12150, G8-1001, G 1001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [etched]G8-1001M1(B-15A) ZXG#13 BAF [stamped]MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB. and [etched]G8-1001-M1(B-15B) ZXG#13 BAF [stamped]MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB.. 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.
