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Germany (West & East) issued ELO LPs & CDs.


Harvest, United Artist and Jet Record LPs were issued in (West) Germany. LPs carried the "Gema" Rights Society text for the German market.

EMI, Warner Bros. & Polydor record companies did their own vinyl pressings in the early 1970’s and printed their own sleeves in Germany. EMI used codes starting 1C for Germany.

Warner Brothers:  All of the sleeves were printed in Germany and the discs were pressed in Germany (GEMA is stated for Germany)

Polydor:  All discs were pressed in Germany and all sleeves were printed in Germany.

United Artists: were distributed in Germany from Ariola Eurodisc, manufactured in Germany and sleeves printed in Germany.

CBS chooses in 1972 that they would manufacture all their records for Central Europe in a pressing plant in Holland.  Germany (West) is the biggest music market in Central Europe with the most inhabitants.

When ELO changed to CBS for Distribution in May 1978, all German LP Discs were then manufactured in Holland and issued and available in some Central European Countries such as as Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Austria, Switzerland...

Holland, being a smaller country, did not need the amounts of records they were pressing/manufacturing. So some "Made in Holland" products were NOT AVAILABLE in Holland and instead released only in Germany ! (E.G. Perfect World Of Music compilation) 

The only remaining JET/CBS album was “Discovery” Half Speed Mastered, which was pressed Germany and available for all European Countries (inkl. UK)

 

 

The Label Code (LC XXXX) was invented implemented from 1st. May 1976 for German releases and then in 1977 it was implemented by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for the rest of the world.

So if you bought a German record that was originally released before May 1976 which does not have a Label Code sign, it was manufactured prior 1st. May of 1976.

But if you bought a German record with a LC XXXX on it, it was manufactured after 1st May of 1976.

Note - this page is in Album Issue/Release order.

Thanks to  Patrik Guttenbacher - Face The Music German - for information and details on this page.

LC Code.jpg
Germany Flag.jpg
elo1_background.jpg
el2_background.jpg
on-the-third-day.jpg
No Answer UAS 5573
elo_eldorado_background.jpg
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573

East Germany

No Answer UAS 5573
Time - Amiga Promo LP Cover.jpg
Anchor 1
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
The Electric Light Orchestra - 1C 062-92970
The Electric Light Orchestra - 1C 062-92970

Title

The Electric Light Orchestra

Format

Vinyl

Label

Harvest

Catalogue

1C 062-92970

Issue Date

1972

Chart Position

-

Notes

1st original issue for German market, the LP had a sleeve of 3 one sided flaps which were glued together so the record was placed in the middle of the gatefold sleeve and slid in to sleeve from the centre of the gatefold cover as opposed to the more normal open edge direction.

It did not come with a yellow lyric sheet.

Missing From My Collection

No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
The Electric Light Orchestra - 1C 064-92970
The Electric Light Orchestra - 1C 064-92970

Title

The Electric Light Orchestra

Format

Vinyl

Label

Harvest

Catalogue

1C 064-92970

Issue Date

1976

Notes

The ELO LP was re-issued in 1976 as 1C 064-92 970 in a regular gatefold sleeve.

It did not come with a yellow lyric sheet.

Also has "LC 1305 logo/stamp on the record label

Missing From My Collection

Anchor 2
No Answer UAS 5573
ELO 2 1C 062-05243
ELO 2 1C 062-05243 - LC 1305
No Answer UAS 5573
ELO II Germany 1C 062-05 243
ELO 2 1C 062-05243 - LC 1305

Title

ELO II

Format

Vinyl

Label

Harvest

Catalogue

1C 062-05243

Issue Date

1973

Chart Position

-

Notes

Made in Germany with a plain white inner sleeve.

A later 1976 re-issue has "LC 1305 logo/stamp on the record label and different rim text.

No Answer UAS 5573

Missing From My Collection

Anchor 3
On The Third Day - WB 56 021
On The Third Day - WB 56 021
On The Third Day - WB 56 021
On The Third Day - WB 56 021

Missing From My Collection

On The Third Day - WB 56 021 - LC 0392
On The Third Day - WB 56 021

Missing From My Collection

Title

On The Third Day

Format

Vinyl

Label

Warner Brothers

Catalogue

WB 56 021

Issue Date

1973

Chart Position

-

Notes

1st issue for Germany. Tri-Cover design, Made in Germany with a blue grey WB Reprice advert inner or a plain windowed white inner sleeve.

 

Unlike the UK issue, the LP slots in to the right hand side / third section of the tri-cover. Side 2 also has the correct track name of Dreaming of 4000 listed.

 

The main tri-cover/sleeve is made of shinny thick card. 

There are 3 versions:

  • First 1974 issue with just WB logo and Cat Number WB 56 021

  • Second version has the Warner Bros Logo with a "Records" in it and Cat Number WB 56 021

  • Third version from 1976 has the Warner Bros Logo with a "Records" in it and and Cat Number WB 56 021 and has a "LC 0392" stamp/logo.

 

Versions 2 & 3 have "A Warner Communications Company" in the label rim text.

On The Third Day - WB 56 021 Promo
On The Third Day - WB 56 021 Promo

Title

On The Third Day

Format

Vinyl

Label

Warner Brothers

Catalogue

Promo WB 56 021

Issue Date

1973

Chart Position

-

Notes

Promo LP issued to German Press & Radio stations to promote On The Third Day.

Came with a blue grey WB Reprice advert inner 

Pictures & Info - Patrik Guttenbacher from Face The Music Germany

Missing From My Collection

Anchor 4
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
On The Third Day UAS 30 091 XOT
On The Third Day UAS 30 091 XOT

Title

On The Third Day

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists

Catalogue

UAS 30091 XOT

Re-Issue Date

May 1977

Notes

Re-issue as part of the European United Artists re-Issues, with inner lyric sleeve.

"Showdown" was printed on back cover and Inner sleeve but not on LP label and the track was missed off the actual record !

No Answer UAS 5573
Anchor 5
Eldorado WB 56 090 Z
Eldorado WB 56 090 Z
eldorado_lp side b.jpg
Eldorado WB 56 090 Z

Title

Eldorado

Format

Vinyl

Label

Warner Brothers

Catalogue

WB 56 090 Z

Issue Date

1974

Chart Position

-

Notes

1st issue for Germany. This edition had a yellow frame and a one-sided black-printed sheet with the lyrics and line-up as insert (no band picture).

The LP came in a WB advert inner sleeve. Plus a white label promo version of which 3000 were pressed.

There are 4 versions:

  • First 1974 issue with just WB logo and Cat Number WB 56 090 (Z)

  • Second version has the Warner Bros Logo with a "Records" in it and Cat Number WB 56 090 (Z)

  • Third version has the Warner Bros Logo with a "Records" in it and just has WB 56 090 on the label, so missing the (Z)

  • Forth version has the Warner Bros Logo with a "Records" in it and just has WB 56 090 on the label, so missing the (Z) and has a "LC 0392" stamp/logo.

 

Versions 2, 3 & 4 have "A Warner Communications Company" in the label rim text.

Missing From My Collection

Eldorado WB 56 090
Eldorado WB 56 090

Missing From My Collection

Eldorado WB 56 090 - LC 0392
Eldorado WB 56 090 - LC 0392

Missing From My Collection

Eldorado WB 56 090 Z Promo
Eldorado WB 56 090 Z Promo
Eldorado WB 56 090 Z Promo Stand Up Sleeve

Title

Eldorado

Format

Vinyl

Label

Warner Brothers

Catalogue

WB 56 090 Z

Issue Date

1974

Chart Position

-

Notes

Promo LP issued to German Radio stations to promote Eldorado.

3000 copies were printed and came with a "Press Pack" that included a specal sleeve that could be stood up like a framed picture.

Pictures & Info - Patrik Guttenbacher from Face The Music Germany

Missing From My Collection

Eldorado WB 56 090 Z Promo Stand Up Sleeve
Eldorado UAS 30 092 XOT
No Answer UAS 5573
Eldorado UAS 30 092 XOT

Title

Eldorado

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists

Catalogue

UAS 30 092 XOT

Re-Issue Date

May 1977

Notes

Re-issue as part of the European United Artists re-Issues, with plain white inner sleeve.

 

The German issue only got a one-sided black printed lyric sheet, like the WB edition. But of course without the WB Logo.

eldorado_ilyric_sheet_smaller_ UA versio
Anchor 6
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
Fae The Music 2310 414
Fae The Music 2310 414
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573

Title

Face The Music

Format

Vinyl

Label

Polydor

Catalogue

2310 414

Issue Date

1975

Chart Position

Notes

1st Issue made in Germany with double side, single sheet with lyrics and "hand" photo on the other side.

LP came in plain white inner sleeve.

No Answer UAS 5573
Fae The Music 2310 414 Promo
No Answer UAS 5573
Fae The Music 2310 414 Promo

Title

Face The Music

Format

Vinyl

Label

Polydor

Catalogue

2310 414

Issue Date

1975

Chart Position

Notes

Promo LP issued to German Radio stations to promote Face The Music.

With double side, single sheet with lyrics and "hand" photo on the other side.

LP came in plain white winder inner sleeve.

Pictures & info - Patrik Guttenbacher from Face The Music Germany

Missing From My Collection

No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573

Title

Face The Music

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists

Catalogue

UAS 30 034 XOT

Re-Issue Date

February 1977

Notes

Re-issue as part of the European United Artists re-Issues, 

with inner lyric/hand photo sleeve.

Face The Music UAS 30 034 XOT
Face The Music UAS 30 034 XOT
No Answer UAS 5573
Anchor 7
No Answer UAS 5573
A New World Record UAS 30 017 XOT
No Answer UAS 5573
A New World Record UAS 30 017 XOT

Title

A New World Record

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists

Catalogue

UAS 30 017 XOT

Issue Date

1976

Chart Position

7

Notes

LP made in Germany. UA Cream Label Layout, Marketed by United Artists.

 

ELO Logo on side 2 of the LP label. 

 

With thick paper glossy inner sleeve with printed lyrics & band photo.

No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
A New World Record - Club Edition 66 488 8
No Answer UAS 5573
A New World Record - Club Edition 66 488 8

Title

A New World Record

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists

Catalogue

Club Edition 66 488 8

Issue Date

1976

Notes

Club-Sonderauflage Edition

 

Made in Germany - Different UA Cream Label Layout.

 

Issued with only a plain white window inner sleeve without a lyric/band photo sheet or sleeve. 

Anchor 8
No Answer UAS 5573
No Answer UAS 5573
Out Of The Blue UAS 30 307 XT
Out Of The Blue UAS 30 307 XT
Out Of The Blue UAS 30 307 XT
Out Of The Blue UAS 30 307 XT
No Answer UAS 5573

Title

Out Of The Blue

Format

Vinyl

Label

United Artists Records

Catalogue

UAS 30 309 FT

Issue Date

1977

Chart Position

6

Notes

LP made in Germany, UA Cream Label Layout, Marketed by United Artists.

 

With thick paper inner sleeve with printed lyrics and a band poster.


Original pressing also came with a instruction sheet for building the cardboard spaceship which was printed in German.

Out Of The Blue Band Poster
Out Of The Blue Space Ship
Anchor 9
No Answer UAS 5573
Discovery JETLPH 500 Half Speed Master
No Answer UAS 5573
Discovery JETLPH 500 Half Speed Master

Title

Discovery

Format

Vinyl

Label

Jet Records

Catalogue

JETLPH 500

Issue Date

1980

Notes

Half-speed mastered, extended range recording from the CBS Mastersound-Series, issued in a gatefold sleeve.

 

The Record was made in Germany and the Sleeve was printed in Holland

Anchor 10
No Answer UAS 5573
Milestones ELO & ELO 2 - 1C 128-7685 1
Milestones ELO & ELO 2 - 1C 128-7685 1
No Answer UAS 5573
Milestones ELO & ELO 2 - 1C 128-7685 1
Milestones ELO & ELO 2 - 1C 128-7685 1

Title

Electric Light Orchestra - ELO II

Format

Double LP

Label

Harvest

Catalogue

1C 128-15 7685 1

Issue Date

1987

Chart Position

-

Notes

German"Fame" Series from EMI Electrola. Re-issue Edition of ELO's first two albums in double gatefold sleeve in 1987. Made in Holland with an 1C… German Cat. No. 

This Editions Album’s name was not “ELO 1” – “ELO 2” as the Holland Issues.  It was simply called “ELO II”. The II stands for the double pack.

So all 4 sides are called E.L.O. II 

Front and rear covers had the "Milestones" printed sticker badly airbrushed out.  The spine of the cover has the name ELO II and the 1C 128-15 7685 cat code.

The cat code was removed from inside the rear cover. Outside rear of the cover last line has "Printed in Germany". and has cat code 1C 128 157685 3 and a barcode printed top right.

 

Came with plain white inner sleeves.

milestones_lp_spine.jpg

All Holland Pressed/Manufactured LP Records/Issues were also issued/available/released in Germany in 1978/1979:
 

Jet LP 200 – A New World Record,
Jet LP 201 – Face The Music,
Jet LP 202 – On The Third Day,
Jet LP 203 – Eldorado,
Jet DP 400 – Out Of The Blue
Jet LP 901 – The Electric Light Orchestra,
Jet LP 902 – ELO II,
Jet LP 903 – OLE ELO,
Jet LX 500 - Discovery,
Jet LX 525 – ELO Greatest Hits

LP - JETBX 2 –  (Made in Holland) released in July 1981 was also available in Germany

All CBS Holland Made LPs/CD were issued/available/released in Germany in 1980/1981/1982/1983/1984/1985/1986

Jet LX 526 - Xanadu
Jet LP 236 - Time
Jet LX 527 – Secret Messages
EPC 32700 - The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach)
Jet NP 1202 – On The Third Day
Jet NP 1203 - Eldorado
Jet 32544 – Face The Music
Jet 32545 – A New World Record
Jet/EPC 26467 – Balance Of Power

To a certain point, it was now nonessential anymore in which county the LP, or CD was made and/or the sleeve was printed. Most of the releases were planned for the whole EU-market, but still with some only domestically in a selected country.

See Holland/European Discography HERE

Record shops would watch for every European release, and so you could buy several releases from other EU Countries in your country.

ZOOM / Mr Blue Sky / Electric Light Orchestra Live 2001 issue LPs & CDs were all made in Italy by Frontiers Records for the whole world, (except Japan and South Korea)

Frontiers was too small to deliver to the whole world, so the vinyl LP’s were re-issued in the UK by Let Them East Vinyl for the whole world.

Anchor 11

East Germany

No Answer UAS 5573
Discovery 8 55 722 - Red
Discovery 8 55 722 - Blue
No Answer UAS 5573
Discovery 8 55 722 - Red
Discovery 8 55 722 - Blue

Title

Discovery

Format

Vinyl

Label

AMIGA

Catalogue

8 55 722

Issue Date

1980 + 1981

Chart Position

-

Notes

Issued in German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in a single cover with plain white window inner sleeve.

The Red label version was issued in 1980 with the Blue label version issued in 1981.

Anchor 12
Time - Amiga Promo LP Cover.jpg
Time - Amiga Promo LP
Time - Amiga Promo LP Cover rear.jpg
Time - Amiga Promo LP

Title

Time

Format

Vinyl

Label

AMIGA

Catalogue

Jet 236

Issue Date

1981

Chart Position

N/A

Notes

Test pressing issued in German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

 

Unverkäufliche Musterplatte. 
Came in neutral LP-Sleeve in orange colour.

VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin DDR. Testpressing

 

Was never released as a AMIGA GDR album, but see info below.

 

The history of the East German records was far more adventurous than first thought !

“Discovery” was released in 1980 on the state record company Amiga, as a licensed product. Pressed and Printed in the pressing plant Babelsberg GDR

“Time” was pressed as a Promo test pressing (Sample copy) and then only sold in the Intershop markets.

The Intershop markets were founded as shops in East-Germany where you only could buy with convertible currency (Deutsche Mark DM, US-Dollar, Francs, etc.) so the government could get foreign (Western) currency, so they could buy things from the "capitalist" world-market. 


In theory, also GDR inhabitants could also buy items there, if they had foreign currency, BUT it was not allowed to have foreign currency from your West-German relatives. 

For the "Time" regular issue, the records were pressed in the GDR (with a new master, you could see only a stamped JET LP 236 as matrix no.), but the sleeves (only the outer cover) and the labels were imported from CBS pressing plant in Holland, the “capitalist class enemy” (so-called in communist terms!).

The Intershop pressing can only be recognised by the stamped JET LP 236 in the run-out groove. In addition, the run-out grooves are much wider because the LP was not cut so far into the centre.

For comparison, the run-out groove of the albums produced in Holland for the Federal Republic of Germany reads in handwriting: ELO AS, a flower symbol (for Brian Gardner) and in block letters 20-JET-236-A3A and Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A., Calif.

 

While only plain neutral white inner sleeves were used in the GDR, both issues list the familiar "Made In Holland" on the LP label and main sleeve/cover.

In the end, Secret Messages, ELO’s Greatest Hits, and Balance Of Power were released in Dutch outer sleeves, Dutch labels (printed in Holland) but were pressed fom a new master in GDG pressing plant.

 

Again, you can only detect GDG pressings by checking the matrix numbers. Only stamped JET L. XXX no. No handwritten, no allen Zents, or such names or figures and the neutral plain inner sleeves.   

 

Credit - Patrik Guttenbacher from Face The Music Germany

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