Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1979
Long Live Rock was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
WHO 2 A // 4 ▽ E STR 1 1 9 STRAWBERRYA-side runout, variant 1
WHO 2 B // 2 ▽ E MC 1 1 9B-side runout, variant 1
WHO 2 A // 3 ▽ E STR 1 1 5 STRAWBERRYA-side runout, variant 2
WHO 2 B // 2 ▽ E MC 1 1 1B-side runout, variant 2
WHO 2 A // 3 ∇ E STR 1 1 5 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, stamped
WHO 2 B // 2 ∇ E MC 1 1 9Side B runout, stamped
WHO 2 A // 2 ∇ E MC 1 1 1Machine stamped in run-out area A-side
KEVEtched
WHO 2 B // 2 ∇ E MC 1 1 3Machine stamped in run-out area B-side
(Side A) PS1081A
(Side B) PS1081B PS1081B
MC-8562-ML-2 TML-S ⧈-G-⧈Side A Runout, Stamped except MC-8562-ML-2
MC-8559-ML-1 TML-M ⧈-G-⧈Side B Runout, Stamped except MC-8559-ML-1
MC 8559Side A Label
MC 8562Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Unknown | Polydor PS 1081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Polydor 2121 383 / Polydor WHO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-41053First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Polydor WHO 2 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor Who 2 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Polydor 2229 213 / Polydor WHO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor WHO 2 / Polydor 2229 213First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | South Africa | Polydor PS 1081 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 21 21 383 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA 41053First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-41053First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-41053First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor WHO 2 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor WHO 2 / Polydor 2121 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Long Live Rock are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor WHO 2, released April 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WHO 2, PS 1081, MCA-41053, MCA 41053) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHO 2 A // 4 ▽ E STR 1 1 9 STRAWBERRY and WHO 2 B // 2 ▽ E MC 1 1 9. 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.
