Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1982
Rock The Casbah was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
CBS.A.2479.A.1 MASTERDISK HowieRunout, A-side, variant 1
CBS.A.2479.B.1 MASTERDISK HowieRunout, B-side, variant 1
CBS.A.2479.A.1 1 - A MASTERDISK Howie BRunout, A-side, variant 2
CBS.A.2479.B.1 1 - B MASTERDISK Howie ARunout, B-side, variant 2
CBS+A11+2479+A HOWIE UK-2-A MASTERDISKSide A runout, etched / stamped
CBS+A11+2479+B HOWIE UK-B-2 ORLAKESide B runout, etched
CBS.A.2479.A2Runout Side A
CBS.A.2479.B2Runout Side B
CBS+A11+2479+A MASTERDISK Howie UK - 2 - ASide A runout, etched / stamped
CBS+A11+2479+B UK-B-2Side B runout, etched
CBS-A-13-2479-A1 UK-4 MASTERDISK HowieRunout side A, variant 1
CBS-A-13-2479-B2 UK-1B MASTERDISK HowieRunout side B, variant 1
CBS-A-13-2479 A1 UK-A MASTERDISK HowieRunout side A, variant 2
CBS-A-13-2479 B1 UK-B MASTERDISK HowieRunout side B, variant 2
CBS.A.2479-A.1 1-A MASTERDISKSide A
CBS.A.2479-B.1 1-B MASTERDISKSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Epic 40.305First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Argentina | Epic 40.305First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 12051First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 778First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 778First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 12051First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic 34 03245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS A 12-2479 / CBS CBS A 12 2479First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBSA 2479 / CBS A2479First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBSA 2479 / CBS A2479First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Greece | CBS CBS A 3021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | CBS A2479First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-191First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Epic ES 778First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia COL 656814 7 / Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 656814 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia COL 656814 7 / Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 656814 612", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 656814 612", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 656814 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Epic 49H 0782912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 2005 | US | Epic 49-0314412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | CBS 85027", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Promo |
| ? | Philippines | Epic QELEP-1816312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK & Ireland | CBS CBS A 13 247912", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Epic 49 00314412", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic 55-032457", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
55 vinyl pressings of Rock The Casbah are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1982 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is CBS CBS A2479, released June 11, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS A2479, A11 2479, CBS A 13 2479, 34-03245) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS.A.2479.A.1 MASTERDISK Howie and CBS.A.2479.B.1 MASTERDISK Howie. 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.
