Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1979
The Kids Are Alright 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.
33 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 22 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.
2488739 A // 1▽E ML 1 1 2 1 TML -M Rec. 1 / Side 1Variant 1, runout side A
2488739 B // 1▽E ML 1 1 1 9 Rec. 1 / Side 2Variant 1, runout side B
2488740 A // 1▽E ML 1 1 4 TML Rec. 2 / Side 1Variant 1, runout side C
2488740 B // 1▽E ML 1 2 6 TML-S Rec. 2 / Side 2Variant 1, runout side D
MCA-1789-ML-9 ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-1790-ML-9 ⧈-G-⧈ TML-M 5Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1972-ML-1 ⧈-G-⧈ TML-MSide C runout, variant 1
MCA-1792-ML-1 TML-M-X ⧈-G-⧈Side D runout, variant 1
MCA-1789-ML-4 TML-M ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-1790-ML-3 TML-S ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1791-ML-3 TML-S ◈-P-◈Side C runout, variant 1
MCA-1792-ML-4 TML-M ◈-P-◈Side D runout, variant 1
MCA-1789-ML-8 K-10628 TML-M GOLSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-1790-ML12 K-10667 TML-S GOLSide B runout, variant 1
MCA-1971-ML13 K-10669 TML-S GOLSide C runout, variant 1
MCA-1792-ML10 K-10670 TML-M GOLSide D runout, variant 1
MCA-1789-ML15 TML-S MR △24330 ⑫Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-1790-ML13 TML-M MR △24330-X ⑩Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1791-ML14 TML-M MR △24331 ⑫Side C runout, variant 1
MCA-1792-ML14 TML-M MR △24331-X ⑯Side D runout, variant 1
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 | Australia | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Austria | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-11005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-11005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-11005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-11005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Polydor 2675 179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-6899 / MCA Records MCA2-11005LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16326 A/2 / PolyGram LPR 16326 A/2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 26 75 179LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA2-11005LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA2-11005 / MCA Records MCA2-6899LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA2-11005 / MCA Records MCA2-6899LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA2-11005 / MCA Records MCA2-6899LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Worldwide | Polydor 6713232 / UMC 6713232LP, LP, All Media, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, LP, All Media, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Europe | Polydor 7768744 / UMC 7768744LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo |
47 vinyl pressings of The Kids Are Alright are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1979 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 2675 179, released June 8, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2675 179, MCA2-11005, 2-11005, 40AP 1630~1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2488739 A // 1▽E ML 1 1 2 1 TML -M Rec. 1 / Side 1 and 2488739 B // 1▽E ML 1 1 1 9 Rec. 1 / Side 2. 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.
