Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1979
Waiting For An Alibi 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.
18 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 1 ∇ E UT 113 2 6Side A runout, variant 1
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11Side B runout, variant 1
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 33Side A runout, variant 2
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 32Side B runout, variant 2
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 2 ▽ E UT 11 25Runout side A
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ▽ E UT 12 22Runout side B
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 1 ∇ E UT 113 2 6Side A runout, variant 1
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11Side B runout, variant 1
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 33Side A runout, variant 2
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 32Side B runout, variant 2
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 1 ∇ E UT 11 2Side A runout
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 1Side B runout
LIZZY 3 1F // 1 ∇ E UT L3 4 [Lyre symbol]Side A runout
LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 11 [Lyre symbol]Side B runout
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 25Side A runout
[Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11 22Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Vertigo 6173 587First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2397First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2397First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 220First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6059 220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | Vertigo TOS 1215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Vertigo 60 59 220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY .003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 003 / Vertigo LIZZY •003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Vertigo LIZZY 3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Waiting For An Alibi are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Vertigo LIZZY 003, released February 16, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LIZZY 003, LIZZY .003, 6059 220, LIZZY 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 1F // 1 ∇ E UT 113 2 6 and [Lyre symbol] LIZZY 3 2F // 2 ∇ E UT 11. 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.
