Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1980
Killer On The Loose was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 5 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.
LIZZY 7 A // 2▽E TH 111 TOWNHOUSE CATHEEN 4Runout side A, variant 1
LIZZY 7 B // 1▽ETH * TOWNHOUSE 111Runout side B, variant 1
LIZZY 7 A // 2▽E TH 111 TOWNHOUSE CATHEEN 1Runout side A, variant 2
LIZZY 7 B // 1▽ETH * TOWNHOUSE 111 3Runout side B, variant 2
LIZZY 7701 A1 POLYGRAM KATHLEEN . STRAWBERRY . VRA 629 BRunout, A-side - variant 1
LIZZY 7701 B1 POLYGRAM COLIN & THOMAS . STRAWBERRY . VRA 629Runout, B-side - variant 1
LIZZY 7702 A1 POLYGRAM MAN UTD EAT THE NME VRA629 BRunout, C-side - variant 1
LIZZY 7702 B1 POLYGRAM VRA 629 • STRAWBERRY • TBRunout, D-side - variant 1
LIZZY 7 A//2▼ETH 111 TOWNHOUSE CATHEEN 3Runout / A
LIZZY 7 B//1▼ETH 111* TOWNHOUSERunout / B
LIZZY 7701 A1 POLYGRAM STRAWBERRY . VRA 629Runout, A-side, stamped
CATHLEENRunout, A-side, etched
LIZZY 7701 B1 POLYGRAM . STRAWBERRY . VRA 629Runout, B-side, stamped
COLIN & THOMASRunout, B-side, etched
LIZZY 7 A//2▽ETH 1 3 TOWNHOUSE CATHEEN 1Runout side A, stamped
LIZZY 7 B//1▽ETH✳ TOWNHOUSE 111 1 URunout side A, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Vertigo LIZZY 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 77 / Vertigo 6059 339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 77First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS49643First year7", Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS49643First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Vertigo VRS - 30-5 / Vertigo 6059 3367", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Killer On The Loose are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Vertigo LIZZY 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LIZZY 7, LIZZY 77, WBS49643, 6059 336) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LIZZY 7 A // 2▽E TH 111 TOWNHOUSE CATHEEN 4 and LIZZY 7 B // 1▽ETH * TOWNHOUSE 111. 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.
