Vinyl pressings
by Vicki Sue Robinson · 1981
Hot Summer Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, 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.
PRLD-617-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE :^)Side A run-out
PRLD-617-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE :^)Side B run-out
PRL D 617 ASSide A label
PRL D 617 BSSide B label
PRLD-532-ASide A Runout
PRLD-532-BSide B Runout
PRL D 532 ASSide A Label
PRL D 532 BSSide B Label
PRLD-617-A QSide A run-out area [Hand-etched]
PRLD-617-B QSide B run-out area [Hand-etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Prelude Records PRLD 617First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Colombia | Prelude Records 5A3008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Prelude Records 2C 052 - 52.901 ZFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 052-901 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Rams Horn Records RAMSH 12-3033First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Rams Horn Records RAMSH 1033First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 617First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL D 532First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL 8038First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PRL 8038-ASFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Prelude Records PrLD-617A/BFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
11 vinyl pressings of Hot Summer Night are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, Colombia, France and more. One of them is Prelude Records PRL D 617.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PRL D 617, PRL 8038, PrLD-617A/B, PRL D 532) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PRLD-617-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE :^) and PRLD-617-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE :^). 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.
