What is a reissue?
The Perfect Reissue Label
None of the reissue labels listed on this page does it completely "right," according to the following list of attributes that should be a part of every reissue 45. Most of these should simply use the information available on the original release.
Sadly, even the best reissue labels skip one or more of these attributes, but we try to make up for the missing information as we add reissues to Classic 45s. Perhaps one day the ultimate 45 reissue series will be published, but until then, if you can't get the original release, get the best reissues you can using this information as a guide.
This is a source of confusion for collectors new to 45s but is really very simple. Unlike with LPs, 45s typically had limited press runs that were made when the single was popular. Very popular 45s had multiple press runs, resulting in variations in the way text was laid out and typeset on the label. Occasionally, label designs changed while the song was still popular, so an original 45 may appear on two different styles of labels. These are referred to as re-pressings. With the inevitable falloff in airplay and sales, record companies ceased pressings, and the original pressed 45s then became limited-edition collectables.
To keep an artist's music in "print" on 45 rpm, various record companies then produced "reissues" which may then stay in print indefinitely. Like original 45s, reissues can have different press runs, but the variations that occur typically have no effect on the reissue's value to collectors. Reissues typically dispensed with "B" sides, unless both sides were hits. Most often, reissues have two songs that were originally A sides.
With LPs, companies simply kept LPs in print indefinitely, and original pressings can be identified by small variations in cover art, catalog number, or label design. With 45s, originals were strictly limited-edition affairs. Once they were gone, they were gone, and if you want a given song you have to rely on 45 reissues.
Most major record companies developed their own line of reissues, and these are discussed below. In addition, a small number of independent record labels arose devoted exclusively to pressing reissues by licensing the music from the record companies that own it. Some of these companies did a good job of putting together their reissue catalog, while others had more mixed results.
The ideal reissue 45 will have the original mix and, if appropriate, edit from the original 45. The reissue label should carry the same information as that on the original, including producer/arranger information, writer credits, and track times. The best reissues also include the release date of the original 45 as well as the original catalog number.
Some specialty reissues utilize a reproduction of the original 45's label. This makes for great eye-candy but can be confusing for customers when they try to determine if a 45 is original or reissue. For such reissues, the reissue company will have put their own name on the label in addition to the original label name, so watch for that. Reissue companies that utilize reproduction label designs include Collectables, Sundazed, Atlantic, and Outta Sight (a U.K. reissue company) *.
Record company reissues
In general, the reissue catalogs developed by the companies owning the licenses to the music are better bets for finding great-sounding music on 45 rpm than those put together by third-party reissue companies. Here is a run-down of the various reissue labels developed by the original license-holding record companies:
A&M "Forget Me Nots" series and A&M "Memories" series. Early A&M reissues were on the "Forget-Me-Nots" series, which was superseded by the "Memories" series. These are typically very reliable and high-quality offerings with the original 45 mixes. They underwent several label design changes over the years, including both a tan label variant and a green/orange striped version in the "Forget Me Nots" line. Artists covered by these series include the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, the Police, and many others. Both series had their own specially designed factory sleeves.
Oldies Treasure Chest series. ABC released some back-catalog singles on this briefly lived but well done reissue series, the labels of which have full information for each song. This series used the regular ABC label with additional "Oldies Treasure Chest" art.
Goldies 45 series. The Goldies 45 series did a great job of keeping ABC/Dunhill's catalog in print on 45. They are reliable for carrying the full information for each song. Some artists found on the Goldies 45 series include the Grass Roots, Three Dog Night, and others. This excellent series had its own label and factory sleeve.
When Arista was formed in the 1970s, the label inherited Bell's Flashback reissue series and kept it in print into the 1980s. Flashback reissues are typically high quality with good information. The Arista Flashback reissues can be identified by the presence of Arista's co-branding, and they often used the standard Arista factory sleeve.
Atlantic Oldies series. This is one of the best reissue catalogs of all time. Atlantic did a superb job of ensuring the 45s were mastered correctly and carried the original 45 mix. Their labels were chock-full of information similar to that found on the original 45s. Warner Bros., which ended up owning the Atlantic brand, ceased pressing this high-quality series in the early 2000s. In addition to the Atlantic Oldies series, Atlantic also occasionally reissued their 1950s catalog on the original yellow Atlantic label as part of their reissue strategy. The series covered releases not only on Atlantic and Atco, but also on Stax and Volt. Among the many key artists found on the Atlantic Oldies series are Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Buffalo Springfield, Drifters, and many others. Atlantic used a gold/black label design at first and then switched to a silver/black design; both had their own specially designed factory sleeves.
Golden Double Hits series. Short-lived, early 1970s reissue label for Avco Records. Reliable and well documented. Typically used regular Avco factory sleeves.
Solid Gold series. Very short-lived reissue series by Bang Records, ending in the early 1970s.
Very short-lived reissue series by Barnaby Records in the early 1970s also covering some releases on Janus Records.
Gold. Flashback. The Bell family of labels (Bell/Mala/Amy) had a short-lived reissue series in the 1960s and early 1970s simply called "Gold." These were fairly bare-bones productions. Bell also started the Flashback reissue series, which had an overall excellent catalog. After Bell was purchased by Arista, Arista continued the Flashback series under its own co-branding.
Oldies series. Using the same label design as the stock Big Tree releases, this short-lived series is reliable and well done.
Gold series. The Brunswick Gold reissue series began in the 1960s and ended in the mid-1970s. It was designed to keep Brunswick artists' catalog in print on 45 and was fairly bare-bones but with decent label information.
Buddah Gold. "Radioactive Gold" series. Buddah's reissues were short-lived, mostly in the early 1970s and covered artists on Buddah and Kama Sutra primarily. They are typically reliable but may have sparse information on the labels. Buddah Gold typically used the normal black Buddah factory sleeve, and Radioactive Gold had its own specially designed sleeve.
Capitol Starline series. Silver Spotlight series. Capitol had one of the best reissue series of the major labels with its Starline series, which began in the early 1960s. Starline 45s are typically highly reliable and have good information from the original 45s on their labels. Among the major artists on the Starline series are the Beatles and Beach Boys. This series remained in print through the 1980s and 1990s. After Capitol bought United Artists, they inherited that company's excellent Silver Spotlight series, which went out of print in the 1980s. The Starline series underwent numerous design changes over the years and even had its own specially designed factory sleeves at one time; later versions utilized the then-current Capitol factory sleeve.
Golden series. A short-lived reissue series devoted to Chelsea artists like the Jigsaw, New York City and Wayne Newton. Typically reliable, though not necessarily labeled Stereo or Mono.
Blue Chip Series. The company that owns the Chess catalog did a relatively poor job of keeping this essential music in print on 45 rpm over the years. The reissues that were produced are typically of high quality and reliable. Artists included in the series are Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley. Series had its own factory sleeve.
Classics Series. Chrysalis had a short-lived reissue series in the 1980s featuring select Chrysalis artists. This was a well-done series with excellent information on the labels and good mastering.
Columbia Hall of Fame series. The Columbia Hall of Fame series began in the 1960s and in did a great job of keeping most of the important recordings on the Columbia label in print. This series typically has full information from the original 45 listed on the label. They are mastered appropriately and typically carry the original 45 mix — Mono if that was the case for the original 45, or Stereo as appropriate. In the 1980s, Columbia's reissue catalog ceased using the Hall of Fame logo. Later Columbia reissues are typically of the same quality but are pressed on 45s with the normal Columbia (red/orange gradient) design. This line of reissues ceased pressings after about 2000, though Columbia licensed the recordings to Collectables, which kept most of the catalog in print on a co-branded label. A few of these are still in print today. Among the major artists on Columbia Hall of Fame are Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Early on, the series used a red/black label design with a custom designed factory sleeve. Later on, the series began using gray labels but still used Hall of Fame factory sleeves.
Back to Back Hits series. Short-lived series by Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label kept Curtom artists' 45s in print during the 1970s. Typically very well done, the Curtom reissues utilize the normal Curtom label design.
Hall of Fame series. Short-lived series by Columbia's Date label subsidiary. Used the green Date label and has the same rich information normally seen on regular Date labels.
Spun Gold series. Another of the best reissue lines was the Elektra/Asylum "Spun Gold" series, which had striking label designs and eye-catching factory sleeves. This line remained in print through the 1970s and into the 1980s. The reissues adhere to typical best practices for reissues and cover artists such as The Doors, Bread, Judy Collins, and other Elektra artists.
Memory Lane series. Hall of Fame series. Although owned by Columbia, Epic had its own line of reissues in the 1970s and 1980s, which featured "flower petal" a label design and matching factory sleeve. After that series ceased, Epic continued to reissue its artists' catalog on 45 under the Columbia Hall of Fame name and then on plain Gray and blue-gradient Epic labels. The latter used the same design as for current Epic releases and can be confusing to identify as reissues. In general, the Epic reissues are reliable and well done. Artists covered by these series include Sly & the Family Stone, Dave Clark Five, the Yardbirds, the Hollies and Michael Jackson. 
Back To Back Hits series. This was a 1980s series devoted to Geffen Records artists such as Don Henley and Peter Gabriel. High quality and reliable.
Great Hits series. This was a brief-lived reissue series for Hi Records in the early 1970s, featuring artists such as Al Green and Willie Mitchell. High quality and reliable.
Gold label series. Imperial never had a particularly good reissue series, instead relying on third-party and other labels to reissue Imperial Records artists. In the 1960s, Imperial released a number of reissues on a Gold label with no name designation for artists such as Mel Carter and the O'Jays.
Revival of the Fittest series. This was a 1980s reissue series for Island artists, typically well done and reliable. Had its own factory sleeve design.
Golden Hits series. Excellent but short-lived reissue series in the 1960s and early 1970s covering Jamie artists like Duane Eddy. 
Golden Oldies series. This short-lived series was devoted to artists on the short-lived Jet label, a United Artists offshoot primarily used by Electric Light Orchestra. The series used the normal Jet label design and is typically excellent.
Winners Circle series. Short-lived 1960s reissue series for Kapp artists like Ruby and the Romantics. Typically well done. Had its own factory sleeve design.
Golden Treasures. Old Gold. Also see Gusto below. The King/Federal line of labels never had a reissue series like the other major labels. "Golden Treasures" was a short-lived series in the 1960s and early 1970s that covered artists like Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Bill Doggett and Wynonie Harris. But major King artists like James Brown never appeared on the series. Gusto Records acquired the King catalog at some point and began a more comprehensive reissue series in the 1970s and 1980s (see below). Golden Treasures had its own custom factory sleeve.
Golden Oldies series. Limited series for 1970s Kirshner artists like Kansas, these reissues used the normal Kirshner label design and are typically well done. Used the regular Kirshner factory sleeve.
Double Gold series. An extensive and excellent reissue label, Laurie's "Double Gold" series was pressed from the 1960s into the 1970s and covered artists like Dion, the Chiffons, Mystics, and Music Explosion. These reissues typically adhere to best practices for 45 reissues, although be aware that many are Stereo reissues (typically identified as such on the label). Collectables inherited the series when Laurie went bust and kept the catalog in print for a number of years; now most are out of print.
All-Time Hits series. This was a short-lived 1960s reissue series that was well done and sported its own factory sleeve design. Artists covered included Eddie Cochran and Jan & Dean. After Liberty was purchased by United Artists, the Liberty catalog was reissued under the Silver Spotlight brand. The original Liberty All-Time Hits series had its own factory sleeve.
White label and Sun-burst label series. London never had a named reissue series, though it did put out reissues under two label designs in the 1970s covering both London and Parrot artists. Typically reliable and covering artists like Frijid Pink, Tom Jones, Los Bravos, Marmalade and the Rolling Stones. In the case of the Stones, the London "sunburst" reissues of the 1970s used the original catalog numbers.
MCA's reissue strategy was not well thought out. For one thing, it carried no special series name (except for occasionally marked "Double Play" on labels otherwise identical to the original) and utilized the same MCA label design from the late 1970s and 1980s (light blue sky with rainbow). MCA picked up a constellation of labels over the years, so artists who appear on MCA reissues run the gamut from Danny & the Juniors and Bing Crosby to Elton John and the Oak Ridge Boys. In many cases, MCA re-pressed singles with their original catalog numbers but using a more updated label design. The information on the labels is generally complete and the mixes reliable though not necessarily marked.
Celebrity Series. Beginning in the early 1960s, Mercury's Celebrity Series was a comprehensive and overall excellent reissue catalog with its own factory sleeve. Appears on both blue and yellow labels and covers Mercury label artists like the Big Bopper, Blues Magoos, Jerry Butler and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Trophy series. Very short-lived reissue series had its own factory sleeve. Typically a reliable option for the limited number of Metromedia artists like Bobby Sherman.
Golden Circle series. Band of Gold series. MGM had two reissue series over the years, the first being the Golden Circle series, followed in the 1970s by the Band of Gold series. These reissues are generally reliable and have excellent label information. Artists covered by one or the other series include the Animals, Lou Christie, Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs, Gloria Gaynor, and many others.
Golden series. The Monument Golden series began in the 1960s and ran through the 1970s. They are typically reliable and well documented on the labels. The series had its own factory sleeve and covered artists like Roy Orbison, Joe Simon, and Boots Randolph.
Star Time series. This short-lived series began in the early 1960s to cover artists like Gene Pitney. Reliable with good label detail, the series had its own factory sleeve.
Motown Yesteryear series. This is one of the best all-around reissue catalogs, which was inherited and kept alive for awhile by Collectables under its own brand. The series began in the 1970s and covers most of the important tunes and artists in the Motown family of labels, including Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Four Tops, and many others. The series typically is reliable in pressing the original 45 mix and has good label information. It had no special factory sleeve but used a generic Motown sleeve introduced in the late 1970s.
Back to Back Hits series. This short-lived series was designed to keep Prince's Paisley Park releases in print. It used the retail label design and adhered to best practices for reissues.
Great Hits series. This short-lived series began in the 1960s and ended in the early 1970s. Well designed and reliable, the series covered Parrot artists like Frijid Pink, Jonathan King, and Engleburt Humperdinck.
Golden Oldies series. This short-lived 1970s series kept in print artists on the Philadelphia International label such as the Three Degrees, O'Jays, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Reliable and informative, it utlized the same label design as the retail releases as well as the usual factory sleeve.
Double-Hit series. This fairly extensive but short-lived 1960s reissue series had its own factory sleeve and label design. Reliable and well executed, the series covered Philips artists like Dusty Springfield, Paul & Paula, and Bobby Hebb.
Band of Gold series. After Polydor bought MGM, it inherited the MGM Band of Gold series and kept it alive on the Polydor label. The 1970s-1980s series used the standard Polydor label design, was well done and comprehensive. It covered artists such as Cream, the Animals, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Eric Clapton, Connie Francis, Jimmy Jones, Sandy Posey and many more.
Golden series. Short-lived 1980s series for the Private I label, which used the retail label design. As informative as the original releases, the series covered the small number of artists on this 1980s label, such as Juicy and Matthew Wilder.
Gold Standard series. The RCA Gold Standard series was initiated in the late 1950s primarily as a vehicle for keeping Elvis Presley's catalog in print on 45 rpm. It had several label designs over the years, mostly mirroring the contemporary retail design, except for a short period in the late 1960s/early 1970s when the series used a red label design. The series also had several custom factory sleeves designed for it. In general, this is one of the best of the major-label reissue series — highly reliable and with good label information. Besides Elvis, other major RCA artists covered by this comprehensive series include Bobby Bare, Alabama, Paul Anka, Sam Cooke, John Denver, the Eurythmics, Jefferson Airplane, the Guess Who and Hall & Oates.
Back To Back Hits series. This excellent reissue series began in the early 1970s, utilizing the orange retail Reprise label design. A label design change in the 1980s still didn't lead to a custom label design, so look for the "Back to Back Hits" language to identify reissues versus originals. Artists covered by this series include Jimi Hendrix, Norman Greenbaum, the Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, the Kinks, Gordon Lightfoot, Kenny Rogers & the First Edition, and Frank Sinatra.
Oldies series. Utilizing the regular Rolling Stones label design, these reissues of Rolling Stones 45s began in the 1970s and into the 1980s. As informative as the original 45s, these reissues can be identified by the word "Oldies" on the label. They typically reprised the A and B sides of Rolling Stones-label singles.
Golden Goodies series. This is one of the most extensive and longest-lasting reissue series. It utilized the normal Roulette "wheel" label design but did have custom factory sleeves designed for many releases. Excellent label detail and reliable original 45 mixes, the series covered not just artists on the Gee and Roulette labels, in addition licensing important music and acting in this manner as a third-party reissue series. Artists covered include Louis Armstrong, the Chantels, Lou Christie, Danny & Juniors, Lee Dorsey, the Flamingos, the Impressions, Grass Roots, Tommy James & Shondells, Buddy Knox, Mamas & Papas, Lloyd Price, Steppenwolf, and Tommy Roe. Some titles may have Stereo mixes, but these are typically identified on the label.
Scepter/Wand Forever series. This short-lived series from the 1960s and 1970s covered artists on the Scepter and Wand labels, such as the Kingsmen, Dionne Warwick, the Shirelles, and the Isley Bros. Somewhat sparse label information but otherwise reliable.
Back to Back Hits series. This short-lived 1980s reissue series was devoted to artists on Warner Bros.' Sire label, including Yaz, Madonna, the Pretenders and Soft Cell. It used the normal Sire label design, distinguishable from originals by the presence of the series name. Typically excellent and reliable with as much label detail as the original 45s.
All Time Smash Hits series. This short-lived series begun in the 1960s and going out of print in the 1970s was typically excellent and reliable. It covered artists on the Smash label such as the Angels, Charlie Rich, the Left Banke and others.
Like Legrand/SPQR, Specialty Records continued to press 45s from its catalog into the 1970s. The company didn't design a reissue series for these but instead typically re-pressed the original mixes on the same catalog number as the originals. They can be identified by the presence of references to LPs from which the single was pulled. The original 45s typically had no such references on their labels. Rather than pressing two A sides on these reissues, the Specialty reissues typically preserved the original A and B sides.
Like Specialty, these Norfolk Virginia labels continued to press 45s from their catalog into the 1980s, typically following the pattern described for Specialty. Unlike Specialty, however, Legrand and SPQR used slightly different label designs for their reissues, which is the main way of distinguishing them from originals.
Double Hitter series. Although Atlantic owned the rights to much of the 1960s Stax catalog, Stax created its own reissue series in the early 1970s for Stax/Volt artists not included in the Atlantic Oldies series, including the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Mel & Tim, the Dramatics, Jean Knight and the Soul Children. These reissues are typically excellent and reliable. They have a unique label design and their own factory sleeve.
Golden Treasure series. After SSS Int'l purchased the Sun catalog, the label initiated the Sun Golden Treasure series to keep much of the 1950s Sun catalog in print. The short-lived series in the late 1960s/early 1970s also did reissues of SSS Int'l artists like Johnny Adams and Mickey Murray. Typically reliable and well done.
Timepieces series. A short-lived reissue series devoted to Threshhold artists like the Moody Blues. Typically reliable.
Back to Back Hits series. A short-lived series for the 1980s Tommy Boy label. Utilizes the regular Tommy Boy label design.
Great Hits series. Like Parrot Great Hits, this was a short-lived 1960s reissue series for artists on the Tribe label, such as Sir Douglas Quintet.
Remember Series. This short-lived 1970s reissue series was designed for releases on 20th Century Records.
Silver Spotlight series. Silver Spotlight is one of the premier reissue labels, formed in the 1960s to keep music by United Artists, Liberty and some Imperial artists in print. These reissues typically have excellent label information and are reliable in identifying Stereo mixes when appropriate. The series covered a vast array of artists over the years, especially after being purchased by Capitol in the 1970s: Spencer Davis Group, Canned Heat, Eddie Cochran, Jackie DeShannon, Fats Domino, Jan & Dean, Jay & the Americans, George Jones, Manfred Mann, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers, Bobby Vee and many others.
Oldies 45 series. This short-lived series, lasting until Vee Jay went under in the mid-1960s, was well done and reliable. It had its own label design and factory sleeve. Covered Vee Jay artists like the Beatles, Four Seasons, Little Richard and Jimmmy Reed.
Sounds of Fame series. Jazz Essentials series These short-lived series from the late 1960s covered Verve artists like the Righteous Brothers and Kai Winding.
Back to Back Hits series. This was an extensive and long-lasting reissue series devoted to artists on the Warner Bros. label. The series never had its own label design or factory sleeve, instead utilizing the then-current WB label design but showing "Back to Back Hits" on the label. Beginning in the 1970s, the series remained in print through the 1990s and into the 2000s. Typically reliable and showing the same label information as the originals, the series covered a vast array of artists over the years, including: America, Association, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Petula Clark, Deep Purple, Dire Straits, Doobie Bros., Everly Bros., Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison, Grateful Dead, R.E.M., Prince, Peter, Paul & Mary, Paul Simon, Van Halen and Randy Travis.Third-Party Reissue Labels
In the 45's heyday, a number of companies set up shop to reissue music from the 1940s-60s on their own reissue labels. Nearly all of these are out of business today. Some of these third-party reissue catalogs are excellent, adhering to best practices for 45 reissues, but others have had more spotty results. Whereas the major label reissues typically did intelligent pairing of A sides by their artists, the companies listed below often pair wildly different artists with no logical relationship. Some take pains to reissue entire 45s, including the original A and B sides, where others adhere to the more usual pattern of pairing two A sides.
This company never pressed original 45s but somehow bought the rights to a good many of popular artists over the years. They had a reissue series for a short period of time that went out of print in the 1980s. Abkco reissues have sparse information on the labels compared with the original 45s but are typically of high quality sound-wise. Artists that rely on Abkco to reissue their material include the Rolling Stones, Hermans Hermits, Chubby Checker, ? & the Mysterians, the Animals, and several other artists.
Variously owned/distributed by Capitol, Motown, and Warner Bros, this eclectic series covered a range of artists beginning in the 1970s. The series is typically excellent and reliable. Artists included in the series are Kim Carnes, America, Association, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, Hot Chocolate, Norman Greenbaum, Arlo Guthrie, Mamas & Papas, Anne Murray, Pretenders, Joe South and James Taylor.
The Collectables brand began in the 1970s with an emphasis on 1950s Doo Wop but quickly expanded to cover the catalogs of most record labels. Besides Sundazed and Rhino, it is the only U.S. reissue label still pressing 45s... although the once-exhaustive Collectables catalog has shrunk to a tiny fraction of its former size in recent years. The series is unreliable, and you can't count on label details such as track times and writer credits showing up on the labels. The labels also typically do not identify whether the 45 has a Stereo or Mono mix. Further, the design of the series is haphazard, some parts being well designed while others appear thrown together without much thought, pairing artists that makes no sense to the respective artists' fans. In some cases, particularly the early titles from the 1950s, the Collectables reissues reproduce faithfully both the A and B sides of the original 45s, but most often the series pairs two A sides in the usual fashion. Mastering and pressing quality control is also an issue, as I have had complaints from some customers about specific titles. Parts of the Collectables catalog were created as record companies ceased pressing their own 45 reissues: In this way, for example, the Laurie Gold, Motown Yesteryear and Columbia Hall of Fame catalogs were incorporated. In its heyday, the series covered most of the essential music of the 1950s forward, including Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, Four Seasons, and the entire Motown lineup. (The Four Seasons reissues were on a separate "Four Seasons" label distributed by Collectables.) The series has its own factory sleeve.
This series started out highlighting artists on the Era record label, but it branched out into other artists as time went on. It was a fairly bare-bones series, with minimal information on the labels. It concentrated on 1950s and 1960s artists though remaining in print through the 1970s. Artists that can be found on Era reissues include the Blue Jays, Castaways, Beach Boys, Jimmy Clanton, Bobby Comstock, Dell Vikings, Bobby Fuller Four, Dramatics, Frankie Ford, Ketty Lester, Jewel Akens and others.
Begun in the 1970s, Eric Records is one of the best reissue labels that was ever created. Thoughtful artist pairings, good label detail, reliable and well-marked Stereo/Mono mixes from the original 45s, and a very extensive library make it a good reissue series to rely on instead of originals. For my taste, too many original Mono mixes are left out, but at least the labels correctly identify when a Stereo mix has been substituted. With its own label design and factory sleeve, the series covered many artists over the years, including the Ad Libs, Angels, Paul Anka, Archies, Frankie Avalon, Fontella Bass, Beau Brummels, Chuck Berry, Jerry Butler, Freddy Cannon, Gene Chandler, Chi-Lites, Chad & Jeremy, Lou Christie, Eddie Cochran, Dee Clark, Petula Clark, Cookies, Bobby Day, Delfonics, Dell-Vikings, Derek & Dominoes, Crests, Diamonds, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Donovan, Duprees, Betty Everett, Everly Bros., Falcons, Foundations, Bobby Fuller Four, Gerry & Pacemakers, Lesley Gore, Buddy Holly & Crickets, Jive Five, Kingsmen, Kinks, Gladys Knight & Pips, Little Anthony & Imperials, Little Eva, Lovin' Spoonful, Manfred Mann, Marcels, Lovin' Spoonful, Mamas & Papas, McCoys, Monotones, Moonglows, Gene Pitney, the Platters, Righteous Bros., Mitch Ryder, Searchers, Shangri-Las, Freddie Scott, Del Shannon, Shirelles, Percy Sledge, Joe South, Billy Stewart, Stylistics, B.J. Thomas, Trammps, Ritchie Valens, Dionne Warwick, and Jackie Wilson.
Relatively short-lived reissue label that's reliable and generally has good information on the labels. The series covered a limited range of artists on the Wand and Scepter labels mainly, including the Shirelles, Chuck Jackson and B.J. Thomas.
Another short-lived reissue label active in the 1970s mainly. The series is reasonably reliable and generally has good information on the labels. It covered an eclectic and limited number of artists such as Aaron Neville, the Ad Libs, the Cascades, Hollywood Flames, Jelly Beans and Robert Parker.
Limited reissue series from the 1970s also branded with the Lifesong label. The series appears to be reliable and has good label information. The main artist I've seen on this series is Jim Croce.
U.K. reissue label devoted to U.S. Northern Soul artists primarily. Small spindle hole. The quality of information on the labels varies, with some complete and others bare bones with no track times or artist credits.
This company inherited the King/Federal catalog and master-minded the King Golden Treasures series. Generally reliable with original Mono mixes and good label information. Gusto reissues began in the 1970s and ran through the 1980s covering artists like Bill Doggett, the Dominoes, Five Royales, Freddy King, Hank Ballard & Midnighters, Tiny Bradshaw, Roy Brown, Lee Dorsey and Wynonie Harris.
U.K. reissue label with its own striking factory sleeve mainly covers U.S. Northern Soul artists of the 1960s. Small spindle hole. Generally high quality with good label information.
This third-party reissue label began in the early 1960s and continued pressing into the 1970s and 1980s. Devoted primarily to Doo Wop artists, the labels have the minimum amount of needed information (track times, artist credits) and are generally reliable. Many Lost-Nite reissues reprise both sides of the original 45s. Artists covered include the Capris, Wilbert Harrison, Jive Five, the Crests, Edsels, El Dorados, Patty & Emblems, and more.
Very limited reissue series from the 1970s/80s with its own striking factory sleeve. Generally reliable and good information.
Oldies But Goodies series. Original Sound released a number of current hits over the years by a few artists like Dyke & the Blazers, Music Machine and Preston Epps. Their "Oldies But Goodies" arm published a well known series of LPs and a series of 45 reissues as well covering an eclectic but limited number of artists, mainly in the 1960s and 1970s. The labels can be bare-bones, with no writer credits or track times shown. Artists on the label include the label's own plus the Castaways, Cannibal & Headhunters, Everly Bros., Frankie Ford, Knickerbockers, Bubble Puppy, Jan & Dean, and Shades of Blue.
Excellent European (U.K.?) reissue series begun in the 2000s to keep in print primarily U.S. 1960s Northern Soul. Specializes in using reproductions of the original labels (and sometimes sleeves), these reissues have a large spindle hole. They are generally reliable with excellent label information.
Short-lived 1960s reissue series covered primarily early 1960s Doo Wop. The labels tend to be fairly bare-bones.
The Rhino label is devoted primarily to reprinting LPs, but they also have a small 7-inch line. It tends to be eclectic and varies in reliability of label information. They do special pressings for "Record Day", for example.
This reissue label from the 1970s and 1980s covered a limited number of artists but generally had good label information and produced reliable 45s. Artists covered by Ripete include James Brown, Chuck Berry, Chairmen of the Board, Claudine Clark, the Cookies, Frankie Ford, American Breed, Bo Diddley, Lee Dorsey, and others.
This eclectic reissue label, active in the 1970s and 1980s primarily, had a well designed label and its own factory sleeve. In general, this is one of the best third-party labels, with reliable original mixes and good label information. Artists covered include Five Satins, Van Morrison, Roy Orbison, Mott the Hoople, Amboy Dukes, Heart, Hollies, B.J. Thomas and Ten Years After.
U.K. reissue label devoted to U.S. 1960s Soul music. The 45s have a small spindle hole and come in custom factory sleeves. They are generally reliable but may not have complete label information.
Stardust and its related Underground label are a little like the Eric Records of Canada, with a broad catalog of music from the 1950s-70s. Like Eric, the series tended to make intelligent pairings of tunes and generally has complete label informatiion and reliable mixes. Artists covered by the two labels include the Animals, Bobby Bare, Angels, George Baker Selection, Beach Boys, Chiffons, Big Bopper, Johnny Burnette, Sam Cooke, Danleers, Dee Clark, Lou Christie, Eric Clapton, Eddie Cochran, Diamonds, Dion & Belmonts, Five Satins, Fleetwoods, Flirtations, Frankie Ford, Connie Francis, Gary Glitter, Impalas, Isley Bros., Herman's Hermits, Hondells, Jarmels, Jay & Americans, Left Banke, Marv Johnson, Kinks, Jonathan King, Manfred Mann, Gary Lewis & Playboys, Robin Luke, Majors, Van Morrison, Dean Martin, Garnet Mimms, Moody Blues, Nashville Teens, Penguins, Procol Harum, Paul Revere & Raiders, Righteous Bros., Millie Small, Steam, T. Rex, Them, Troggs, Dodie Stevens, Sugarloaf, Conway Twitty, Link Wray, the Ventures, Bobby Vee, and the Yardbirds. 
Sundazed specializes in printing 45s with previously unreleased 1960s Rock, heavy on the Psychedelic and Garage Rock genres. The label also does a limited number of reissues of original music in the same genres. Its reissues are typically very well designed, often with reproduction labels, special picture sleeves, and custom factory sleeves. Excellent reliability and top-notch label information. Many of the label's reissues have biographical and other band information and photos included on the custom picture sleeves. Artists include Jimi Hendrix, Surfaris, Trashmen, Knickerbockers and the Remains.
This was an eclectic reissue series of the 1960s and 1970s with its own factory sleeve. The label information tends to be very bare bones, not matching the original 45 in detail. Mastering and overall quality is hit-or-miss. Artists that appeared on Trip Oldies include Bobby Day, Five Satins, Manhattans, Del Shannon, Aaron Neville and Toussaint McCall.
Golden Memories series. This reissue series of the 1960s-70s is generally reliable with good label information. The series had its own factory sleeve and covered artists such as the Chips, Orioles, Mitch Ryder, Cadillacs, Bobby Freeman, Raindrops and Toys.* This page lists primarily U.S. reissue companies, plus a handful of non-U.S. labels from the U.K. and Canada. Last Updated 10/26/2020.
