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Long Playing Records (LPs) Variations
Beatles records were pressed in Canada from 1963 up until the late 1980s.
These albums were reissued many times during this period, after which albums were imported from the USA or the EU once Canada stopped pressing its own vinyl records. Beatles LPs on Capitol Records saw seven label designs through the years, most of which have different subvariants of their own, making a total of fourteen label subvariants (each one is numbered accordingly across this website). Understanding these differences can allow precise dating of any specific pressing. Here below is a detailed account of the different Capitol label variations and subvariants found with Canadian Beatles records:
1. Rainbow "no brackets" label
These were used on Beatles records between 1963 and June 1966 (this is identified as number "1" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label that states "MFD IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS OF CANADA"
2. Rainbow "brackets" label
These were used on Beatles records between July 1966 and 1969 (this is identified as number "2" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label that states "MFD IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS (CANADA)", adding brackets around the word "Canada".
3. Apple label
These were used on Beatles (and other Apple artists) records between November 1968 and 1975 (this is identified as number "3" across this website). This variant is easily recognizable by the apple on the label. It is important to note that in Canada, only Apple releases were released on this label, while, unlike it was the case in the USA, reissues of Capitol albums were NOT released on the Apple label, but rather on the Capitol target and early orange labels.
4. Green Target label
These were used on Capitol Beatles albums in late 1969 on some albums, and more widely in 1970 (this is identified as number "4" across this website). This variant is identified by the lime-green label that features the new target logo as a backdrop.
5. Red Target label
These were used on Capitol Beatles albums in 1971 and early 1972 (this is identified as number "5" across this website). This variant is identified by the cherry-red label that features the same target logo as a backdrop. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, during this period Canada reissued them on this label instead.
6. Orange label 1st generation
These were used on Capitol Beatles albums in 1972 and 1973 (this is identified as number "6" across this website). This variant is identified by the GOLD perimeter text around the label. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, during this period Canada reissued them on this label instead.
7. Orange label 2nd generation
These were used on Beatles records in 1974 (possibly even as early as late 1973) up until October 1976 (this is identified as number "7" across this website). This variant is identified by the BLACK perimeter text around the label. The earlier labels feature the ™ logo on the bottom right of the label (by the "L" of Capitol). Later copies from early 1975 switched to the ® logo. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, Canada reissued them on the early 1974 orange "™" labels -- Apple album reissues are found with the later "®" labels.
8. Orange label 3rd generation
These were used on Beatles records starting in October 1976 (this is identified as number "8" across this website). This variant is identified by the Capitol pressing ring, symbolic of pressing operations moving to Capitol's new in-house pressing plant with their 17 new record presses. (Note that singles were being pressed at the new plant as early as June, but albums started only in October). Some labels feature a lighter perimeter text color (amber). It is not known if these were used earlier or at the same time as other darker text labels, but they are considered as one of the same in this archive.
9. Purple label 1st generation
These were used on Beatles records in 1977 (this is identified as number "9" across this website). This variant is identified by the Capitol dome logo found in the perimeter text around the new retro dark purple label. This variant also features a different pressing ring that refers to Cinram pressings (it features Cinram trail-off markings); this pressing plant was used a few times in the following years, possibly when the machines were under maintenance or being adjusted at the new plant. It is also important to note that Cinram was a subcontractor so some of these pressings were made from Cinram prepared masters (featuring the Cirnam trail-off markings, like stamped or cursive "CR"), while others are made from Capitol prepared masters (featuring only the Capitol markings, but have the Cinram pressing ring).
10. Purple label 2nd generation
These were used on Beatles records between 1978 and 1980 (this is identified as number "10" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label that states "Manufactured in Canada by Capitol Records-EMI". The perimeter text on this label generation is a little thicker than the one found on 3rd generation purple labels.
11. Purple label 3rd generation
These were used on Beatles records between 1980 and 1983 (this is identified as number "11" across this website). This variant is identified by a tinner perimeter text around the label that states "Manufactured in Canada UNDER LICENSE by Capitol Records--EMI".
12. Retro Rainbow label - 1st Genration (Capitol Pressing)
These were used on Beatles records only in 1983 before the Capitol pressing plant was decommissioned (this is identified as number "12" across this website). This variant is identified by the new retro rainbow label design with the usual Capitol pressing ring . These were the last of the Capitol pressings to be pushed out of the Mississauga plant, and only a handful of titles have been reissued on this generation.
13. Retro Rainbow label - 2nd Genration (Columbia Pressing)
These subcontracted Columbia pressings were found on Beatles records between late 1983 and 1987 (this is identified as number "13" across this website). This variant is identified by the same retro rainbow label design and its traditional Columbia pressing ring. This label design is identical to the previous variation, but the pressing ring is different and the text font and layout are quite different from titles found on the 1st generation. This variation has seen the complete reissue of the Beatles' catalogue (unlike variation 1 who has seen only a handful of titles).
14. Retro Rainbow label - 3rd Genration (Cinram Pressing)
These were used on Beatles records between around 1987, and were the very last Beatles pressings to be made in Canada (this is identified as number "14" across this website). This variant is identified by the same retro rainbow label design, but with the usual Cinram pressing ring and recessed plate. Only a handful of titles was pressed by Cinram, who is more well known for having pressed Beatles CDs for the years to come.
Other Labels : United Artists, Metro, MGM, ATCO, Polydor
Although the core of the Beatles' Canadian catalogue features releases by Capitol, some titles were released and reissued on other record labels, and therefore feature different label designs, some even having many subvariations, like United Artists who repressed A Hard Day's Night through the late 1970s. These are detailed and pictured in each individual album title sections.
For a detailed account of released titles for each of these label variations, you can also explore the RELEASE BY LABEL TYPE page through the main menu.
