US
June 14, 1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
31,870Side 1 Label
31,871Side 2 Label
BR6957 (31870-1) 1-W-1. 2 ᴄSide 1
BR6957 (31871-1)-2-W-1. 1 ᴄSide 2
Vinyl pressings
Initiation
by Todd Rundgren · 1975
27 pressings10 countriesExperimentalArt RockRock
Initiation was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Initiation
19 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 10 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.
US
June 14, 1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BR 6957 31870-1GA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
BR 6957 31871-1FB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
BR 6957 31870-1CA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
BR 6957 31871-1BB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
US
June 14, 1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
1Ƨ BR 6957 31870-1A A12Side A etched (Variant 1)
1Ƨ BR 6957 31871-1A A10Side B etched (Variant 1)
STERLINGBoth Sides stamped (Variant 1)
1 S BR 6957 31870-1C B3Side A etched (Variant 2)
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Jacksonville Press
- Runout / matrix
0Runout
SIDE 1 BR6957 (31870-1) #1 0Side A etched
SIDE 2 BR6957 (31871-1) #1 0Side B etched
(31,780)Side A label
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
T2 BR 6957 31870-12̶ D STERLING VSide A Runout, Variant 1
T 1 BR 6957 31871-1E STERLINGSide B Runout, Variant 1
BR 6957 T 1 31870-1 ̶B̶E STERLING BSide A Runout, Variant 2
T 1 BR 6957 31871-1E STERLING C 3Side A Runout, Variant 2
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 6957
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Winchester
- Runout / matrix
BR 6957 (31870-1)- WB —◁Side A
BR 6957 31870-1-WB #2 —◁Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 27 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | France | WEA Filipacchi Music 55504 / Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 55504 / Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10017WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10017WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Bearsville 200.759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Bearsville BEA 55504First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BR 6957 / Bearsville BR 6957First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1975 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-90 / Bearsville HWBS 321-90First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Bearsville K 55504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Bearsville K 55504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Bearsville BR 6957First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Bearsville BR 6957LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1987 | US | Bearsville RNLP 70866 / Rhino Records RNLP 70866LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1987 | US | Bearsville BR 6957 / Rhino Records RNLP 70866LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Rhino Records 603497818969 / Rhino Records RCV1 70866LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | US | Bearsville BRVL-780527LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Bearsville BR 6957LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Bearsville BVL.37042LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
Tracklist
- A1Real Man4:25
- A2Born To Synthesize3:40
- A3The Death Of Rock And Roll3:48
- A4Eastern Intrigue5:06
- A5Initiation7:05
- A6Fair Warning8:07
- A Treatise On Cosmic Fire
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Initiation are there?
27 vinyl pressings of Initiation are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1975 and 2026.
When was Initiation first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Bearsville BR 6957, released June 14, 1975.
How do I tell if my copy of Initiation is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BR 6957, K 55504, 55504, W 55504) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 31,870 and 31,871. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Initiation on vinyl worth?
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.
