Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1969
Pinball Wizard was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 19 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.
604027 A//1 1 1Variant 1 - A-side runout
602047 B//1 1 1 7 7Variant 1 - B-side runout
604027 A//1 1 1 6Variant 2 - A-side runout
602047 B//1 1 1 6 1Variant 2 - B-side runout
45 7 121165 6Runout side A, variant 1
45 7 121166 5Runout side B, variant 1
45 7 121165 5 1Runout side A, variant 2
45 7 121166 5 1Runout side B, variant 2
7 121165 12 2Side A runout, variant 1
7 121166 7 2Side B runout, variant 1
7 121165 7 2Side A runout, variant 2
7 121166 11 2Side B runout, variant 2
7-121,165A-side label
7-121,166B-side label
604027-AA label
604027-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | International Polydor Production NH-539101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | International Polydor Production NH-539101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | International Polydor Production NH-539101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Austria | Polydor 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Decca 732465First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Polydor 421 428First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Greece | International Polydor Production NHH 279First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Polydor 59 262First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Polydor N H 59 262First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Polydor DP-1639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Mexico | Polydor EPO-1592First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | France | Polydor 863 918-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Decca7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Decca 7324657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
44 vinyl pressings of Pinball Wizard are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1969 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Track Record 604027, released March 7, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 604027, 604-027, 732465, NH-539101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 604027 A//1 1 1 and 602047 B//1 1 1 7 7. 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.
