Vinyl pressings
by Tim Weisberg · 1976
Live At Last! was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
A&M SP 4937-M1 (MR) △21252 CRP-TERRE HAUTE A 0 \A etched, (MR) stamped.
T1 A&M SP4938-T1 B \ 2B etched.
SP-4937Label side A
SP-4938Label side B
A&M SP 4937-M1 MR △ 21252 CRP-PittmanA side etch, MR [circled] stamped
A&M SP 4937-P1 B PB side etch (B & P) stamped
SP-4937A side label
SP-4938B side label
SP-4937A Side Label
SP-4938B Side Label
A&M SP 4937-M1 MR ◁ 21252 CRP-TERRE HAUTEA Side Etch, except MR[circled] Stamp
T1 A+M SP4938-T1B Side Etch
A- sp4937
B- sp4938
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | A&M Records AMLS 64600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | India | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Mozambique | A&M Records AMLS 64600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 64600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-4600First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Live At Last! are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, India, Mozambique and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4600, released October 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4600, AMLS 64600, SP 4600) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP 4937-M1 (MR) △21252 CRP-TERRE HAUTE A 0 \ and T1 A&M SP4938-T1 B \ 2. 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.
