Vinyl pressings
by Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force · 1988
Heaven Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, 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.
887-518-7-88NP-7574-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK SPRunout, side A, etched & stamped
887-518-7-88NP-7577-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK SPRunout, side B, etched & stamped
88NP 7574label, side A
88NP 7577label, side B
PRO 582-1-88-NP-7574-SP
YJMX 1 A-2U-1-1 [Bazza Audio One]A-Stamped [Etched]
YJMX 1B-1U-1-2B-Stamped
YJM 1A-1J-1-QIRunout, side A, stamped
YJM 1B-1J-1-QIRunout, side B, stamped
YJM 1Alabel, side A
YJM 1Blabel, side B
BAZZA O YJM 1 ARunout, side A, etched
YJM 1-BRunout, side B, etched
YJMXP+1+ARunout, side A
YJMXP+1+BRunout, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Polydor 887 518-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 887518-7 / Polydor 887 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 887 614-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 887518-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 887 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Polydor PRO 582-1First year12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Polydor 887 518-1 / Polydor YJMX1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Polydor YJM 1 / Polydor 887 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Polydor 887 960-7 / Polydor YJMG 1First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | Polydor YJMXP 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
10 vinyl pressings of Heaven Tonight are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Polydor 887 518-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 887 518-7, PRO 582-1, 887 518-1, YJM 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 887-518-7-88NP-7574-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK SP and 887-518-7-88NP-7577-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK SP. 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.
