Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1983
Life Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
VERD6A//1∇420H 1 1 1 2Side A, runout, variant 1
VERD6B//1∇420H 1 1 1 0Side B, runout, variant 1
VERD6C//1∇420H 1 1 4Side C, runout, variant 1
VERD6D//1∇420H 1 1 1 2Side D, runout, variant 1
1-23986-A-WW1 #2 –––◁Side A Etched
1 23986 3 WW1 #2 –––◁Side B Etched
1-23986-C-WW3 • –––◁Side C Etched
1 23986D-WW2 • –––◁Side D Etched
1 23986 · A JW2#1 0Side 1 etched, '0' stamped
1 23986 · B JW2#1 0Side 2 etched, '0' stamped
1 · 23986 · C - JW2#1 0Side 3 etched, '0' stamped
1 · 23986 · D - JW2#1 0Side 4 etched, '0' stamped
1 23986 A SH1 B-18669-SH1 SLM △5486 1-1Runout Side A [Etched]
1 23986 B SH1 B-18670-SH1 SLM △5486-X 1-1Runout Side B [Etched]
1 23986 C SH1 B-18671-SH1 SLM △5487 1-1Runout Side C [Etched]
1 23986 D SH1 B-18672-SH1 SLM △5487-X 1-1Runout Side D [Etched]
812 883-1 1Y=2 320Side A, stamped
812 883-1 2Y 320Side B, stamped
812 884-1 1Y 320Side C, stamped
812 884-1 2Y 320Side D, stamped
G V 〄Ⓑ VERD-6A 1 1 1 ⊹ LSide A, runout
VERD-6B 1 1 1 ⊹ LSide B, runout
V 〄Ⓑ VERD-6C 1 1 1 ⊹ LSide C, runout
G V 〄Ⓑ VERD-6A̶D 1 1 1 ⊹Side D, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOD-2-3328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 812 882-1 / Vertigo 812.882-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Vertigo 812882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Vertigo VERD6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 20PP-57-8First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Vertigo 812 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23986 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23986-1 GFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records W1-23986LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23986 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23986-1 GFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Friday Music FRM-23986LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | Friday Music FRM-23986LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 2026 | US | Friday Music FDAT-26239LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Taiwan Nova Records 73021-22LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
26 vinyl pressings of Life Live are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1983 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Vertigo VERD 6, released November 14, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VERD 6, 1-23986, 812 882-1, 20PP-57-8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VERD6A//1∇420H 1 1 1 2 and VERD6B//1∇420H 1 1 1 0. 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.
