Vinyl pressings
by The Doors · 1971
Riders On The Storm was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
EKS-45738-A1 CTH [Stamped: Artisan Logo] TIIIScribed in runout, side A
EKS-45738-B1 CTH [Stamped: Artisan logo] TIIIScribed in runout, side B
EKS-45738-A, SP, Artisan Stamp, SRC stamp, 5-28-71Side A (Version 1)
EKS-45738-B, SP, Artisan Stamp, 5-28-71Side B (Version 1)
EKS-45738-A#3, SP, Artisan Stamp, 5-28-71Side A (Version 2)
EKS-45738-B, SP, Artisan Stamp, 5-28-71Side B (Version 2)
EKS-45738-A CSM [Artisan stamp] SA side runout, variant 1
EKS-45738-B CSM [Artisan stamp] SB side runout, variant 1
EKS-45738-A1 CSM [Artisan stamp] SSSA side runout, variant 2
EKS-45738-B CSM [Artisan stamp] SB side runout, variant 2
EKS-45738-A PHSide A Runout (Etched)
EKS-45738-B PHSide B Runout (Etched)
EKS-45738-A PH 1-1 [Artisan logo] PRSide A Runout Etched - Variant 1
EKS-45738-B1-1-1 PH [Artisan logo] PRSide B Runout Etched - Variant 1
P(stamped/inverted) EKS-45738-A CP(scribed)A side deadwax
P(stamped/inverted) EKS-45738-B1 CP(scribed)B side deadwax
EKS-45738-A, SP, Artisan Stamp, 5-28-71Side A
EKS-45738-B #2, SP, Artisan Stamp, 5-28-71Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | Elektra 31.735 / Music Hall 31.735First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Elektra EKM-45738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Brazil | Elektra EKCS 15.011First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra EKS 45738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra E-457387", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1971 | France | Elektra 12.021 / Elektra 12 021First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 021 / Exulta ELK 12 021First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2070First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2070First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Elektra EKS 45738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Elektra EKM.45738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | South Africa | Elektra EKS 607First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Spain | Hispavox H 749 / Elektra H 749First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | Elektra CP-117First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Turkey | Elektra 71402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Elektra K 120217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | Not On Label (The Doors) SAM 2727", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Germany | Elektra 969 382-77", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Elektra AS-1132312", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Elektra R7 5274877", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited | 7", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 2011 | US | Elektra R7 5274877", Record Store Day, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", Record Store Day, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 2011 | US | Elektra R7 5274877", Record Store Day, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", Record Store Day, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Elektra EKS 457387", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Costa Rica | Epic 45-0227", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 0217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | Elektra 33.0137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | Elektra 33.0137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Mexico | Gamma G-10497", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (The Doors) EKS-457387", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Elektra K 120217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Elektra K 120217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Elektra7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-457387", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
52 vinyl pressings of Riders On The Storm are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1971 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Netherlands, Argentina and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-45738, released June 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-45738, K 12021, EKS 45738, 31.735) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS-45738-A1 CTH [Stamped: Artisan Logo] TIII and EKS-45738-B1 CTH [Stamped: Artisan logo] TIII. 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.
