Artist page · 04/07/2026
About
13 vinyl titles, including 1968's rock opera classic S.F. Sorrow with rare UK original pressings.
Originally established in London in 1963, The Pretty Things emerged from the British rhythm & blues scene with a sound marked by high energy and rawness. They transitioned into psychedelic rock and prog as the 1960s progressed, culminating in the concept album S.F. Sorrow in 1968, often cited as the first rock opera. Their later work includes explorations into hard rock and blues, with recordings under labels like Harvest and Madfish. The band has numerous vinyl releases spanning studio albums, live recordings, and limited editions.
Vinyl collectors can explore various pressings of their albums, including original UK vinyls from the 1960s and recent 2020 limited releases.
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
London Calling · 2023
Madfish · 2020
Madfish · 2019
Repertoire Records · 2018
Repertoire Records · 2016
Repertoire Records · 2015
LMS Mobile Recording Studio · 2014
Zoho · 2007
Snapper Music · 1999
Snapper Music · 1999
Kingdom Records · 1994
Inak · 1987
Line Records · 1984
Warner Bros. Records · 1980
Swan Song · 1976
Swan Song · 1974
Warner Bros. Records · 1972
Harvest · 1970
Columbia · 1968
Fontana · 1967
Fontana · 1965
Fontana · 1965Playlist
The tracks that sum up The Pretty Things's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Often regarded as the first rock opera, S.F. Sorrow blends psychedelic rock and prog across 13 tracks including "S.F. Sorrow Is Born" and "Baron Saturday." Original UK pressings command high demand.
This 1970 studio album features an intricate mix of psychedelic and progressive rock styles spanning 11 tracks. Pressings from Canada and South Africa exist, with prices varying notably.
A 2020 album of acoustic blues, it includes 12 tracks like "Can't Be Satisfied" and "Redemption Day." Available on limited edition vinyl by Madfish with active market listings.
Go further
Artists who share part of The Pretty Things's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
They described themselves as more rebellious than their contemporaries, with longer hair and a rawer R'n'B energy.— Band self-description
S.F. Sorrow was released in 1968 on the Columbia label, produced as a stereo LP with multiple pressings available from the UK and Germany, notable for its pioneering rock opera format.
The album Parachute saw multiple vinyl pressings in 1970, including an original Canadian pressing on Rare Earth and a South African pressing on Harvest, both with considerable interest among collectors.
Live at the BBC Paris Theatre 1974 captures The Pretty Things' live performance in France and is available as a pop genre vinyl, reflecting their stage presence during that period.
The UK original pressing of S.F. Sorrow on Columbia's SCX 6306 release is scarce, with a want-to-have ratio above 3:1 and limited copies for sale, driving up the market value.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
The Pretty Things are an English rock band formed in London in 1963, known for their transition from rhythm & blues to psychedelic and progressive rock.
S.F. Sorrow, released in 1968, is often cited as the first rock opera, featuring a connected narrative across its songs and pioneering psychedelic and prog rock.
Labels include Columbia, Fontana, Harvest, Madfish, and Swan Song Records, reflecting different phases of the band's career and styles.
Yes, especially original UK pressings of S.F. Sorrow and limited-edition releases such as 2020's Bare As Bone, Bright As Blood on Madfish.
Tracks such as "The Good Mr. Square," "She Was Tall, She Was High," and "S.F. Sorrow Is Born" are among their most played and sought-after on vinyl.
Yes, live albums such as Live at the BBC Paris Theatre 1974 and Copenhagen Beat Festival 1970 are available on vinyl, capturing their concert performances.
Most releases are in LP format, available in mono and stereo, including limited editions and colored vinyl variants for collectors.
French retailers and distributors carry titles like Live at the BBC Paris Theatre and various reissues, often in pop and rock categories.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
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