Vinyl pressings
by Three Dog Night · 1974
The Show Must Go On was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 15 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.
01705-SA side deadwax - etched - variant 1
01706-SB side deadwax - etched - variant 1
p 01705-S XX MCRA side deadwax - etched [p stamped] - variant 2
p 01706-S x 4BB side deadwax - etched [p, 4B stamped] - variant 2
01705-S X- p B MCRA-Side Runout Etching
01706-S BB-Side Runout Etching
45-01705-SA-Side Label
45-01706-SB-Side Label
01705-S-3 T1 MCRA-Side, etched
01706-S-2 T1 TB-Side, etched
45-01705-SA-Side, label
45-01706-SB-Side, label
MCR T 01705-S-2A-Side Runout Etching
T 01706-S-1B-Side Runout Etching
45-01705-SA-Side Label
45-01706-SB-Side Label
01705-S 1B ss MCRRunout side A, variant 1
01706-S 1C ssRunout side B, variant 1
01705-S 1B ssss MCRRunout side A, variant 2
01706-S 1C sssssRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Probe 1969First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Probe PRO-10475First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Barbados | Dunhill D-4382 / ABC Records D-4382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | Probe 4 C 006-95324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | Probe S7PO-13076 / Probe 45-01705-SFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records D-4382 / ABC Records D-4382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | probe 2C008-95324First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 006-95 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPR-10531First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPR-10531First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records D-26687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of The Show Must Go On are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Dunhill D-4382, released March 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D-4382, D-4283, 5C 006-95324, 1969) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01705-S and 01706-S. 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.
