Vinyl pressings
by Venus Dodson · 1979
Night Rider 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SRC RCSD-8824-WNY-1841-S-SR1 1-4 STERLINGA-Side Runout
SRC RCSD-8824-WNY-1842-S-SR1 1-1 STERLINGB-Side Runout
WNY1841SA-Side Label
WNY1842SB-Side Label
RCSD-8824-WNY-1841-S-MI [MR logo] △ 24283 Ø STERLINGSide A runout
RCSD-8824-WNY-1842-S-MI [MR logo] △ 24283-x Ø STERLINGSide B runout
WNY1841SSide A label
WNY1842SSide B label
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 | Canada | RFC Records RCS 8831 C / Warner Bros. Records RCS 8831First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | RFC Records RCS 8831 C / Warner Bros. Records RCS 8831 CFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | RFC Records RCSD 8824 / Warner Bros. Records RCSD 8824First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | F1 Team DM 907First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | F1 Team P 524First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records RCSD 8824 / RFC Records RCSD 8824First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | RFC Records RCSD 8824 / Warner Bros. Records RCSD 882412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records RCS 8831 / RFC Records RCS 8831First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1979 | US | RFC Records RCS 8831 / Warner Bros. Records RCS 8831First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1979 | US | RFC Records RCS 8831 / Warner Bros. Records RCS 8831First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | RFC Records RCSD 8824 / Warner Bros. Records RCSD 8824First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Night Rider are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada, Italy. One of them is RFC Records RCSD 8824, released May 18, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCSD 8824, RCS 8831, RCS 8831 C, DM 907) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC RCSD-8824-WNY-1841-S-SR1 1-4 STERLING and SRC RCSD-8824-WNY-1842-S-SR1 1-1 STERLING. 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.
