Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1984
Who's Last was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1984, 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-I-A2 BilBo.TAPE ONE <Side A Runout Variant 1
WHO-I-B2 BilBo.TAPE ONE <Side B Runout Variant 1
WHO-I-C2 BilBo.TAPE ONE <Side C Runout Variant 1
WHO•I DI <Side D Runout Variant 1
WHO-1-A1 Bilbo Tape OneSide A runout etched
WHO-1-B1 Bilbo Tape OneSide B runout etched
WHO-1-C1 Bilbo Tape OneSide C runout etched
WHO-1-D2 Bilbo Tape OneSide D runout etched
WHO-1 A-1 MTSide A runout
WHO 1 B-1-1- MTSide B runout
WHO 1 C-1-1- MTSide C runout
WHO-1 D-1-1- MTSide D runout
MCA 4137 ML-4 TML-X ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 1
MCA 4138 ML-3 TML-M ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 1
MCA 4139 ML-4 TML-X ◈-P-◈Runout C, variant 1
MCA 4140 ML-4 TML-X ◈-P-◈Runout D, variant 1
MCA 4137 ML-4Variation 1: Runout Groove Etched Side A
MCA 4138 ML-4Variation 1: Runout Groove Etched Side B
MCA 4139 ML-4Variation 1: Runout Groove Etched Side C
MCA 4140 ML-4Variation 1: Runout Groove Etched Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | MCA Records 87508/9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 8018-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-8018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-8018 / MCA Records WHO 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-8018LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 251 512-1 / MCA Records WHO 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Israel | MCA Records WHO IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 1512-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | Polydor L2CA-6327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | MCA Records L2CA-6327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | MCA Records 8018-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records LD 251512-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records LD 251512-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records WHO 1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA2-8018LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MCA Records 127.024/25 / MCA Records 611.7012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 251 512-1 / MCA Records WHO 1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 251 512-1 / MCA Records WHO 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records MCA 08018 / MCA Records WHO 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Who's Last are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records WHO 1, released November 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WHO 1, MCA2-8018, P-6197~8, 87508/9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHO-I-A2 BilBo.TAPE ONE < and WHO-I-B2 BilBo.TAPE ONE <. 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.
