UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Bronze BRON 545Bronze BRON-545
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TX-83-04-28 BRON-545-A PS/CRSide A etched
Bron-545-B2 TXSide B etched
Vinyl pressings
Head First
by Uriah Heep · 1983
33 pressings21 countriesHard RockArena RockRock
Head First 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Head First
23 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Bronze BRON 545Bronze 811 988 1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
422-812-3131-AS BRON 545 A//4 130Side A Etched, variant 1
BRON-545- B-2 BRON 545 B//3 130Side B Etched, variant 1
MASTERDISKSide A Stamped, variant 1
MASTERDISKSide B Stamped, variant 1
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422-812 313-1 M-1Bronze 422-812 313-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
422-812-313-1-AS-HRM Hw A- ↔Side A Etched
422-812 313-1-BS-HRM Hw A-1 ↔Side B Etched
MASTERDISKSide A & B Stamped
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422-812 313-1 M-1Mercury 812 313-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album · PRC Richmond Pressing
- Runout / matrix
422-812 313-1-AS PRC-1-1-2 HwSide A Etched
422-812 313-1-BS-PRC-R-1-1-2-5 HwSide B Etched
MASTERDISKSide A & B Stamped
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422-812 313-1 M-1Bronze 422-812 313-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · PRC Compton Pressing
- Runout / matrix
422-812 313-1-AS- PRC-C1-1-1 MASTERDISK HwRunout Side A, etched and stamped
422-812-313-1-BS- PRC-C1-1-1 MASTERDISK HwRunout Side B, etched and stamped
South Africa
May 30, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Bronze BRON-545
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ML 4681 - ASide A Etched
ML 4681 - BSide B Etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 33 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s29 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Bronze BZL.38034 / Bronze L 38034LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Brazil | Bronze 811 988-1 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-4073 / Bronze SRM-1-4073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Polydor LP-75234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Bronze 205 474 / Bronze 205 474-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Bronze 893 052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Polygram 812 313 / Bronze 812 313LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Ireland | Bronze BRON 545 / Bronze 811 988-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Bronze BRZ 20362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Bronze VIL-6051First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Bronze VIL-6051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | Ariola LA 536First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Bronze L 38034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Bronze 205474 / Dacapo 205474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Bronze ML 4681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Castle Classics CLALP 209LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Bronze BMGRM095LP / Sanctuary BMGRM095LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Ariola LA 536LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 643LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- A1The Other Side Of Midnight3:56
- A2Stay On Top3:37
- A3Lonely Nights4:07
- A4Sweet Talk3:52
- A5Love Is Blind3:40
- B1Roll-Overture2:18
- B2Red Lights2:59
- B3Rollin' The Rock5:36
- B4Straight Through The Heart3:29
- B5Weekend Warriors3:50
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Head First are there?
33 vinyl pressings of Head First are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 2015.
When was Head First first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Bronze BRON 545.
How do I tell if my copy of Head First is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRON 545, 422-812 313-1 M-1, BRON-545, L 38034) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TX-83-04-28 BRON-545-A PS/CR and Bron-545-B2 TX. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Head First 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.
