Vinyl pressings
by Wing And A Prayer Fife And Drum Corps. · 1977
Babyface Strikes Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ST-HS-773 829-CCC-1 PRC (PR)Side A runout etched
ST-HS-773 830-CCC-1 PRC (PR)Side B runout etched
ST-HS-773829-RISide A label
ST-HS-773830-RISide B label
ST-HS-773 829-C (PR)Side A runout etched
ST-HS-773 830-C (PR)Side B runout etched
ST-HS-773829-PRSide A label
ST-HS-773830-PRSide B label
ST-HS-773 829-CC (MR) △ 22183(1) (PR)Side A runout
ST-HS-773 830-CC (MR) △ 22183-X (1) (PR)Side B runout
ST-HS-773829-MOSide A label
ST-HS-773830-MOSide B label
GWEA 5258 A USide A runout etched
GWEA 5258 B USide B runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Atlantic HS 3026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic HSA 3026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Mexico | Wing And A Prayer GWEA-5258 / Atlantic GWEA-5258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Philippines | Wing And A Prayer HS 3026 / Atlantic HS 3026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Atlantic LP-S-39-32First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9652First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Wing And A Prayer HS 3026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Wing And A Prayer HS 3026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Not On Label HS 3026LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Wing And A Prayer HS 3026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Babyface Strikes Back are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Mexico and more. One of them is Wing And A Prayer HS 3026.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HS 3026, HSA 3026, GWEA-5258, LP-S-39-32) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-HS-773 829-CCC-1 PRC (PR) and ST-HS-773 830-CCC-1 PRC (PR). 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.
