Canadian Radio Charts

From the 1950's through the early 1980's radio charts were issued weekly or monthly by most pop, rock and country stations in Canada.  In the 1950's through the early 1960's the charts tracked singles and by the later 1960's LP's were frequently added.  At times charts were published in local newspapers, but most frequently they were distributed through local record and audio stores.

Throughout the 1960's and into the 1970's the Beatles made a perennial appearance on radio charts across Canada with a number of charts featuring images of the Beatles, Beatle contests or album and single adverts.

Charts featuring the Beatles are sought out by Beatles' collectors. Early charts featuring number one singles or Beatles' images usually sell in the $15 to $25 range. Later charts sell in the $10 to $20 range.

  

Radio charts, especially in the early years of Beatlemania, are an excellent source of information for the collector and researcher. They offer insight into what was happening across the country as well as regional trends.  

Reissue rarities: Beatles VI and Yesterday and Today with a gold stamped "STEREO" on the cover.

Two Canadian Beatles' albums were reissued with the word STEREO stamped in gold lettering on the cover.  Two reissues of Beatles VI along with a reissue of Yesterday and Today carried the stamp on the front cover.  All three were issued for only a brief period in early 1970.

Beatles VI:

Early in 1970 Beatles VI was reissued on the last black rainbow Capitol label in a cover with the the word STEREO stamped in gold on the front. 

A month or two later Beatles VI was reissued with Capitol's new green target label and a small number of these discs were issued in a cover with the gold STEREO stamp on the front.

Yesterday and Today:

In early 1970 Y&T was released on the green target label and again some covers came with a gold STEREO stamp.

The gold stamped STEREO albums were issued in small numbers creating hard to find Canadian rarities.  These albums are rare and do not come up for sale often.  My guesstimate of the selling price of either album in excellent condition is $100 to $150.      

Abbey Road SO 383 2nd Purple Label error

In 1978 Capitol Canada reissued Abbey Road on the 2nd Purple Label. For a short time this album was released with a noticeable printing error on the label. Instead of "Abbey Road" the title on the label is written as "Abby Road". 

Copies can be found with the error label on one side and a corrected label on the other. I am assuming this is true for both side 1 and side 2. Some error label copies can be found in covers with off-set ink producing a blurred image.  

The error was quickly corrected creating a collectible variation. Few  copies of this error label have come up for sale so a value of $60+ is a guesstimate only.    

Meet The Beatles: rare copy with alternate mix of "Don't Bother Me"

A Canadian pressing of "Meet The Beatles" on the purple label released in 1983 contains an alternate mix of George Harrison's "Don't Bother Me". 

An extra "Don't" can be heard in the chorus around the 2:06 mark. This alternative mix can only be found on a purple label pressing with a B-side matrix of ST 2047.B. 

Some explain the inclusion of the extra word as a tape malfunction while others claim it is a different mix. Either way this alternate mix is only available  on this specific Canadian pressing and no others. worldwide.     

Rare pressings of the Second Album. Capitol T 2080 & ST 2080

The Second Album was originally released as the Beatles third L.P. in the United states in 1964.  In Canada it was not released until February, 1967, when it was pressed in both mono and stereo. The  mono pressing was phased out after only a few months, making it a hard-to-find and sought after issue. 

The original Canadian stereo pressing had a stereo banner across the top front of the jacket and a "Also Available in Monophonic" statement printed on the back cover. 

(Left) "Monographic" statement on first stereo jacket and
(Right) statement removed on second stereo jacket.  

By mid 1968 the "Also Available in Monophonic" statement was dropped from the back of the jacket as the mono issue was no longer available.

In 1968 through 1969 the stereo banner across the top was dropped in favour of the word "Stereo" printed just below the Capitol logo.

From 1969 onward through to 1987 the Second Album was released on a series of labels.  First on the lime green target label followed by the red target label, then a series of orange and purple labels and finally in the 1980's pressed by Columbia on the retro rainbow label.

The rarest issue and the most collectible is the original mono issue followed by the three stereo variations on the Capitol rainbow label. 

The last recorded sale of a mono issue was in 2020 for $100 U.S. In 2017 a copy sold for $125 U.S.  Any of the Stereo issues on the original Capitol rainbow label in Vg+ or better condition sell in the $60 to $100 U.S. range.            

Capitol Canada 2138 Lady Madonna / Inner Light

Issued on March 11, 1968, the single reached the number 1 chart position in major markets across Canada.  The disc was pressed by both Compo and RCA with approximately 8 out of 10 produced by Compo making the RCA pressing harder to find.

  
RCA pressings used older labels with CANADA in the rim text without brackets while Compo discs had the newer labels with (CANADA) in brackets. 

Initial Compo copies were housed in imported east coast U.S. picture sleeves.  In the U.S. some issues of Lady Madonna came with a Beatles' Fan Club flyer inserted into the sleeve, but this was not the case in Canada.   

Slightly later Compo pressings came with a unique label were the standard orange colour was replaced with a red colour.  Collectors refer to these as "Red Madonnas".  While some red labels were used it is generally believed that most were discarded as errors, making the Compo red label issue a harder to find Canadian Beatles' collectible.  

Some "Red Madonna" copies can be found with the regular orange label on one side and a red label on the other.  These are very hard to find. 

As a number one hit the A-side received wide radio play while the B-side was relegated to occasional play on late night FM stations.

A near mint copy of the East coast sleeve sells in the range of $50 to $70.  A near mint copy of the Compo pressed Canadian 45 sells for around $25 to $30.  An RCA pressed copy sells for approximately $35 to $40+ and a Compo "Red Madonna" sells for a similar amount. A near mint disc sporting both labels would sell for a guesstimate of $50+.     

        

"Money, that's all I want" - Auction prices for Canadian Beatles' vinyl

A search of the Popsike auction data base reveals some of the high prices paid for Canadian Beatles' vinyl.  An auction sale price is the most accurate representation of interest and value.  The results can be surprising and demonstrate how values fluctuate as interest rises or falls and how auction prices can reach considerable heights, well beyond their average value. Obviously recent auction results (last two years) are a better measure of value than older results.

Auction results.

• In 2020 a VG+ very first 7" 1963 pressing of "Please Please Me/Ask Me Why" Capitol 72090 sold at auction for approximately $1800 CA. This initial copy is one of only 1000 pressed.

• In 2016 a copy of " My Bonnie" on Decca sold for $8650 U.S. and in 2018 a copy sold for $2789 U.S. 

• In 2013 the L.P. "Scraps A Unique Collection" sold for $730 US. A surprising value for a bootleg.  Apparently this record originated in Canada.

• In 2019 a 1963 first pressing of "Love Me Do" sold for $637 US and in 2020 another copy sold for $960 U.S.

• In 2011 a near mint copy of the Canadian "Let It Be" box set still in shrink wrap sold for $520 US.  In 2005 a sealed copy sold for $511 US. In 2023 a NM copy sold for $1105 U.S.

• In 2013 a near mint copy of Capitol 72159 "Do You Want To Know A Secret" sold for $500 US.  In 2019 a similar condition example sold for $472 US.

• In 2015 a VG+ example of "Yesterday and Today" on the red target label sold for $447 US.

• In 2013 a near mint copy of "Sie Liebt Dich" sold for $410 US.

• In 2017 a copy of "Beatlemania" on the green target label in excellent condition sold for $406 US.

• In 2009 a 7" white label promotional copy of "Strawberry Fields / Penny Lane" in near mint condition sold for $364 US.

• In 2019 a 1964 copy of "Please Please Me" in near mint condition sold for $355 US.

• In 2016 a near mint copy of "From Me To You" pressed in 1964 sold for $350 US 

• In 2021 a sealed original Sgt. Pepper sold for $1150 CA and a second copy sold for $920 CA.

• In 2021 a sealed copy of Revolver sold for $1000 CA.     

Red Target Label Canadian Beatles' albums

Capitol replaced the lime green target label in early mid 1971 with the red target label.  All sixteen Capitol of Canada Beatles' L.P.'s from Beatlemania through to The Early Beatles were released on this label which was used for only 12 to 18 months.  Both RCA and Compo pressed Beatles' L.P.'s for Capitol on this label.

The short period of the red target pressing run meant that all the albums with this label are very collectible.  Canadian issues on this label attract International collectors as the bold colour and layout draws interest and the label is unique to Canada with only U.S. issues of Revolver and Y&T having a similar label.  At the time Canadian LP's were issued with this label most U.S. albums were released on the Apple label.

While all copies are collected the most sought after, based on selling price, are Yesterday and Today, Long Tall Sally, Twist and Shout, Rubber Soul, The Beatles' Story, The Early Beatles, Beatlemania and the Second Album.

Yesterday and Today usually commands the highest interest and prices.  In 2017 a copy in excellent condition sold for $324 and in 2015 a copy sold for $566.

 

In 2016 a red target label Long Tall Sally in excellent condition sold for $180 and in 2019 for $150.

Almost all other issues on the red target label in excellent condition sell in the range of $50 to $100.

Interestingly, the cover of Long Tall Sally on this label sport a stereo banner even though the disc, 

T-6063, is in mono. 

Current values for red target label LP's        

Elusive, Fabled and Imagined Canadian Beatles' L.P.'s

Like stories of lost treasure collecting the Beatles in Canada has its own real or imagined lost treasures.

For many years it was believed the Beatles first Canadian album "Beatlemania" was never reissued on the green Capitol target label in 1970.  Around 2010 the first copy appeared and since then at least five additional copies have surfaced. Perhaps there is more to come.

For many years it was believed that there were no Canadian "Butcher" cover records. In the years since two copies of a "1st state" Canadian mono "Butcher" have come to light. No copies of a "2nd state" paste over are known. Did they exist? 

A salesmans' sample of a Canadian stereo butcher cover front slick is known and in June, 1966, the "After Four" magazine published by the Toronto Telegram featured a Canadian stereo "Butcher" cover on the front page. To date no copies of this fabled stereo album have surfaced. Does one exist?

To date there is only one Canadian Beatles L.P. that can be clearly identified as issued by a Record Club.  That album is the 1971-1972 issue of a "Hard Day's Night", pressed by MCA with a tan United Artists' label. The back cover of the album clearly states it was issued by The Record Club of Canada.  

  
Generally, Beatles records sold through record clubs were stock issues. However, there is some speculation that a few copies of "Yesterday and Today" with the unique catalogue number of ST-82552 was pressed in Canada for distribution through the Canadian Capitol Record Club. The addition of "8" to the standard catalogue number was Capitol's practice with U.S. Capitol Record Club issues. 

No copies that have been verified. One poor quality photograph of the label exists.

                                 

Solo Beatles and Apple Friends: Hard to find Canadian issues!

Paul McCartney's My Love/The Mess was released in 1976 as the lead single from the Red Rose Speedway album.  In Canada 1000 copies of the single in a Capitol of Canada custom sleeve were distributed as a promotion at the Mosport Raceway near Toronto. 

Printed on the sleeve were coupons for the vinyl album and the cassette or 8 track at the four Target Tape stores located in the greater Toronto area.  The reverse side of the sleeve was blank.  Only 1000 copies were distributed to raceway attendees and many sleeves were destroyed when the coupons were clipped.  As a result the sleeve is a hard to find unique Canadian solo Beatles' collectible.

In recent years only a few copies of the sleeve have come up for sale.  Copies in VG+ to excellent condition have sold in the $45 to $120 range.   

In December , 1975, "This Guitar" backed with "Maya Love" was released on Apple 1885 in Canada.  The single is very hard to find. In 2017 a NM copy sold for $51.

In June, 1983, Ringo released the album "Old Wave".  The LP was released by RCA in just seven countries, including Canada and on the Bellaphone label in Germany.  It was never released in the U.K. or U.S.  The album was not successful and was never reissued, although appreciation for it grew in subsequent years.  Canadian copies are often found with a delete punch hole and are hard to find.  An excellent to NM copy with no delete hole sells in the $60 to $80 range.

 Current values for Old Wave

                        
While George Harrison's Canadian issue of "Electronic Music" is hard to find the Canadian 8 track version, 8XT-3358, in a white shell is quite rare. I guesstimate a decent copy would sell for between $50 and $100.

    
The Canadian pressing of John Lennon's "Two Virgins" is quite rare.  The vinyl was pressed by RCA and distributed by Tetragramaton Records.  In the U.S. the outer brown wrapper was a sleeve that the record slid into while the Canadian brown cover wrapped around the record.  On most Canadian copies the outer wrapper was sealed with an orange day-glo sticker while a few got a yellow or red sticker.  The U.S. copy was sealed with a white sticker.  Interestingly, some Canadian wrap around outer brown sleeves were sent to the U.S. when they ran short and a white sticker was used to seal it. It has also been reported that Canadian covers were shipped to the US and used on U.S. pressings when  U.S. covers were seized by authorities.  

    
Canadian copies of "Two Virgins" in excellent condition sell for between $75 and $120. A sealed copy sells for $175 to $250. 

Lennon's Plastic Ono Band L.P. was released in late 1970 on the light pale green Apple label and pressed by both Compo and RCA.  A few copies were pressed using Dynaflex vinyl (which created a much thinner and flexible record) and the more familiar green Apple label was used. The small run Dynaflex pressed discs with the green Apple label is a hard to find collectible.

Regular pale green label (left) and the rarer Dynaflex green Apple label (center and right)   

A reissue of John Lennon's Imagine L.P. on the green Apple label is also quite rare.

   
A reissue of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band on the green Apple label is another hard to find issue.

Regular issue pale Apple label (below) and the scarce green Apple label reissue (above).

 In 1968 Capitol of Canada pressed a small number of Mary Hopkin's "Those Were The Days" sung in French, for the Quebec market and titled "Les Temps De Fleurs".  As both the English and French versions were released at the same time the French version was given the British catalogue number - Apple 2. It was released in the unique Canadian white Apple sleeve.  The small pressing run of the French version makes this a hard to find Canadian Apple release. 

Another rare Canadian Apple release is James Taylor's "Carolina On My Mind" which was withdrawn due to a label error.  The record was re-released with the corrected title, "Carolina In My Mind" and a different B-side. In mid 2020 a NM copy sold for approximately $890 CA. 

Withdrawn pressing (top) and corrected release (below)

     Values for the withdrawn James Taylor 45 RPM  

In 1976 McCartney released "Maybe I'm Amazed" backed with "Soily" on Capitol 4385 with custom label. The majority of the singles were pressed on black vinyl, however, a very small number were pressed on blue vinyl. The blue vinyl discs are quite rare and only a few have ever been offered for sale. One recent sale of a VG copy sold for $90.

In 1983 Capitol reissued John Lennon's 1976 Shaved Fish L.P. on the retro rainbow Capitol Label.  As this was nearing the end of the vinyl L.P. era not many copies were pressed, creating a hard to find collectible.
  

   Other hard to find Canadian Apple releases include:

• Chris Hodge " We're On Our Way / Supersoul

• Jackie Lomax "How the Web was Woven" - up to $60 NM
• Jackie Lomax "New Day" - up to $95 NM
• Trash "Road To Nowhere" - up to $150 NM

• Lon & Derrek Van Eaton "Sweet Music" - up to $150 NM

• John Foster & Sons Black Dyke Mills Band - up to $100 NM
• Hot Chocolate Band "Give Peace A Chance" - up to $115 NM