Vinyl pressings
by The Electric Flag · 1974
The Band Kept Playing was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ST-A-743225 BB̶ AtGP (MR) Δ19407(4) PRSide A - etched
ST-A-743226 BB AtGP (MR) Δ19407-X (B) PRSide B - etched
ST-A-743225-MOSide A - label
ST-B-743226-MOSide B - label
ST-A-743225 PR AT GP PRRunout side A, variant 1
ST-A-743226 PR AT GP PRRunout side B, variant 1
ST-A-743225 B- AT/GP PRRunout side A, variant 2
ST-A-743226 B AT-GP PRRunout side B, variant 2
ST-A-743225 BBB̶ At-GP PRSide A - etched
ST-A-743226 BB-At-GP PRSide B - etched
ST-A-743225-RISide A - label
ST-B-743226-RISide B - label
ST-A-743225-1A-2H: oSide A runout
ST-A-743226-1A-2H: oSide B runout
ST-A-743225Side A label
ST-A-743226Side B label
ST-A-743225 B AT-4P YPARTX 79085 1 50.090 A M6 303222 2Side A - runout
YPARTX 79086 2 M6 30 3571 250090 BSide B - runout
STA 743.225 yPartx 79.085Side A - label
STA 743.226 yPartx 79.086Side B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Atlantic 50 090 / Atlantic SD 18112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 090First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Italy | Atlantic K 50090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Atlantic P-8513AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Atlantic P-8513AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Atlantic K 50090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-150LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Atlantic SD 18112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atlantic SD 18112LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of The Band Kept Playing are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1974 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18112.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18112, K 50090, 50 090, ATL 50 090) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-743225 BB̶ AtGP (MR) Δ19407(4) PR and ST-A-743226 BB AtGP (MR) Δ19407-X (B) PR. 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.
