Vinyl pressings
by The Whispers · 1987
Rock Steady was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
V-1-71153 AL-SP F-2 Q B 26919-F2 △ 15956- SPO MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYSide 1
V-2-71153 AL-SP F-2 Q B 26920-F2 △ 15956-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY SP-0-1Side 2
AL-SP S-45-B-1-70006 F-2 ɑ R-17520-F2 △15955 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1 SP0-1A-Side Runout Etching) (Variant 1
AL-SP S-45-B-2-70006 F-2 ɑ R-17521-F2 △15955-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1 SP0-1B-Side Runout Etching) (Variant 1
S45-B-1-70006 F-1 ɑ R-17520-F1 △15955 1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Runout Etching) (Variant 2
S45-B-2-70006 F-1 ɑ R-17521-F1 △15955-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1B-Side Runout Etching) (Variant 2
S45-B-1-70006 F-1 ɑ R-17520-F-1 ∆15955 1-1 Wally Mastered By CapitolSide A Runout
S45-B-2-70006 F-1 ɑ R-17521-F-2 ∆15955-X Wally Mastered By CapitolSide B Runout
70006-ALabel Matrix - Both Sides
MCAT1152 A//▽420T POUNDA TA1PERunout side A, stamped/etched
MCAT 1152 B//▽420TRunout side B, stamped
MCAT 1152-ALabel side A
MCAT 1152-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Belgium | Solar SOLD 127825First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Belgium | Solar SOLS 7825First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Solar 312081 / Vogue 312081First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | France | Solar 102219 / Vogue 102219First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | France | Solar 102219 / Vogue 102 219First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | Solar VIPX-1869First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Solar SOS-365First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Solar OC-EP-17155 / Solar V-71153First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Solar MCAT 1152 / MCA Records MCAT 1152First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Solar MCA 1152 / MCA Records MCA 1152First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | UK | Solar MCAT 1152 / MCA Records MCAT 1152First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Solar V-71153First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | Solar B-70006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Solar V-71153First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Solar PB-70006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Rock Steady are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Germany, Belgium and more. One of them is Solar V-71153.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V-71153, B-70006, PB-70006, MCAT 1152) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-1-71153 AL-SP F-2 Q B 26919-F2 △ 15956- SPO MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY and V-2-71153 AL-SP F-2 Q B 26920-F2 △ 15956-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY SP-0-1. 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.
