By December 1980, only five companies operated their own pressing plants in Australia: Astor Records (closed in December 1981); CBS Records Australia; EMI (Australia); Festival Records; and, 7 Records (renamed to Powderworks in September 1981 after 7 Records chief Ken Harding led a management buy-out). RCA Australia had closed its pressing plant suddenly in November 1980, handing over 90% of its pressing requirements to EMI (Australia).
After John Lennon was assassinated in December 1980, demand for Lennon and Beatles titles was such that EMI (Australia)'s computer system temporarily broke down under the strain. And, even with its recently updated fully automated pressing plant, EMI (Australia) had to look elsewhere for extra pressing capacity.
Most of the additional demand was met by EMI (New Zealand), however, EMI (Australia) also sought assistance from CBS Records in Sydney and Astor Records in Melbourne. These two companies pressed Beatles LPs during the first half of 1981.
CBS Records pressings can be identified by the plant's distinctive 70mm diameter pressing ring (the EMI (Australia) pressing ring averaged 33mm in diameter). Confirmed titles pressed by CBS Records include: Please Please Me; Beatles For Sale; Rubber Soul; Revolver; Sgt Pepper's; A Collection Of Beatles Oldies; The Beatles; Yellow Submarine; Abbey Road; Let It Be; and, Beatles' Ballads.
Astor Records pressings can be identified by a 38mm diameter pressing ring that incorporates a 3mm-wide indentation. Confirmed titles pressed by Astor Records include: Please Please Me; With The Beatles; A Hard Day's Night; Beatles For Sale; Help!; Revolver; The Beatles; Yellow Submarine; Abbey Road; and, Rarities (UK).
The number of copies pressed of each title is unknown, however, it appears that the domestic arrangement was short-term, ending by mid-1981.
Examples of CBS Records and Astor Records pressings, showing the distinctive pressing rings of each, can be seen below.
