Vinyl pressings
by The B-52's · 1979
Rock Lobster was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
MX191577 WBS 49173-1Run-Out Groove Etching A-Side
MX191578 WBS 49173-2Run-Out Groove Etching B-Side
MX191577Centre Label A-Side
MX191578Centre Label B-Side
WBS 49173 XAA 8946-VI-S-LW1 ✲Runout A-Side, etched
WBS 49173 XAA 8950-S-LW2 ✲Runout B-Side, etched
XAA 8946V1SLabel A-Side
XAA 8950SLabel B-Side
WBS 49173 XAA 8946 VI-S-WW1#2 ━◁Runout A-Side, etched
WBS 49173 XAA 8950-S-WW1 ━◁Runout B-Side, etched
XAA 8946V1SLabel A-Side
XAA 8950SLabel B-Side
WBS 49173 XAA 8946-VI-S-JW1 ORunout A-Side, etched
WBS 49173 XAA 8950-S-JW1 ORunout B-Side, etched
XAA 8946V1SLabel A-Side
XAA 8950SLabel B-Side
WBS 49173-1 XAA 8946 VI-S-WW1 symbolRun-Out Groove Etching A-Side
WBS 49173-1 XAA 8950-S-WW1 symbolRun-Out Groove Etching B-Side
XAA 8946V1SCentre Label A-Side
XAA 89505Centre Label B-Side
STERLINGA & B side runouts, stamped
PRO A1 836 S A1 B-14468 lA side runout, etched
PRO A² 836 S A1 B-14469 lB side runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Barbados | Warner Bros. Records WBS49173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 100 826-100 / Island Records 100 826First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 100826 / Island Records 100 826-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records F-WBR 0049173.0First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 65067", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 65067", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6506First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.1567", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-2305 / Gamma G-23057", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records SWB-0207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records SWB-0207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records F-WBR 0049173.07", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 491737", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Island Records IS-88-80037", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Rock Lobster are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49173.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49173, PRO-A-836, WIP 6506, WBS49173) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MX191577 WBS 49173-1 and MX191578 WBS 49173-2. 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.
