Vinyl pressings
by The Grass Roots · 1966
Where Were You When I Needed You was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 4 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.
DS-50011-A #1 500930 LWRunout, side A, variant 1
DS50011B 500930 LW RRunout, side B, variant 1
D-50011-A 00930 LWRunout, side A, variant 2
D-50011-B 00931 LWRunout, side B, variant 2
S-930SIDE A
S-931SIDE B
00930-S-1S 1SIDE A STAMPED
00931-S-1S 1SIDE B STAMPED
DS-50011-A #1 500930 ΣΓRunout, side A
DS50011B 500930 ΣΓ RRunout, side B
DS-50011-ALabel, side A
DS-50011-BLabel, side B
DS-50011-A #2 S 00930 LWSide A, runout
DS 50011B S 00931 LWSide B, runout
DS-50011A #1 S 00930 LWSide A, runout - Variant 2
DS-50011-B S 00931 LWSide B, runout - Variant 2
DS-50011-ALabel, side A
DS-50011-BLabel, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Argentina | RCA Victor D-50011First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Dunhill D-50011First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | South Africa | RCA Victor 32.167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | US | Dunhill DS-50011First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Dunhill D-50011 / Dunhill D 50011First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Dunhill DS-50011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Dunhill DS-50011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Dunhill D-50011 / Dunhill D 50011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Dunhill D 50011 / Dunhill DS-50011LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor DS 50011LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Dunhill D-50011 / Dunhill D 50011LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Venezuela | RCA Victor LPV 7584LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Where Were You When I Needed You are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1966 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Argentina, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Dunhill D-50011, released October 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D-50011, DS-50011, 32.167) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DS-50011-A #1 500930 LW and DS50011B 500930 LW R. 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.
