Vinyl pressings
by The Byrds · 1967
So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 14 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.
ZSP-115892 1F 2 PSide A Runout, etched except 2 P stamped
ZSP-115893 1E 2 PSide B Runout, etched except 2 P stamped
ZSP 115892Side A Label
ZSP 115893Side B Label
ZSP-115892 1C TIIIISide A runout; etched
ZSP-115893 1C TIIISide B runout; etched
ZSP 115892Side A Label
ZSP 115893Side B Label
ZSP-115893 1E I P[backwards]A Side Etched Runout [I & P are stamped]
ZSP-115893 1E I PB Side Etched Runout [I & P are stamped]
JZSP 115892A Side Label
JZSP 115893B Side Label
5738 C C 0A-side runout
5739B-side runout
5738A side label
5739B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | CBS BA-221367First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Canada | Columbia 4-43987First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Denmark | CBS 2559 / CBS CBS 2559First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | France | CBS 2559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | CBS 2559First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Germany | CBS 2559First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Greece | CBS BA 301131First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Japan | CBS LL 1037 CFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Netherlands | CBS 2559First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Netherlands | CBS 2559First year7", Single, Mispress, Misprint | 7", Single, Mispress, Misprint |
| 1967 | New Zealand | CBS BA-46119First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC 749First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Spain | CBS 2559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Sweden | CBS 2559 / CBS CBS 2559First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | US | Columbia 4-43987First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-43987, released January 9, 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-43987, 202559, BA-221367, 2559) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP-115892 1F 2 P and ZSP-115893 1E 2 P. 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.
