The Misfits Night of the Living Dead 7" (Plan 9, 1979) Value & Price Guide (2026)

In 1979, a band from Lodi, New Jersey pressed about 2,000 copies of a 7-inch single on their own label. The band was the Misfits. The label was Plan 9 Records, named after the Ed Wood film. The A-side was "Night of the Living Dead," three minutes of Glenn Danzig howling about zombies over distorted guitars. Those 2,000 copies are now some of the most valuable punk singles ever pressed.

Quick Value Summary

The Story

Glenn Danzig started the Misfits in 1977, naming the band after Marilyn Monroe's final film. The early Misfits were a collision of 1950s rock and roll, B-movie horror, and raw punk energy. Danzig ran Plan 9 Records out of his parents' house, handling everything from recording to pressing to distribution.

"Night of the Living Dead" was the band's second single, following the "Cough/Cool" 7-inch from 1977. The song references George Romero's 1968 zombie film, fitting the Misfits' horror-punk identity that Danzig was building. The B-side, "Where Eagles Dare," would become one of the band's most enduring songs, later appearing on compilation albums and covered by other bands.

The single was pressed on black vinyl with a Plan 9 Records catalog number of PL1011. About 2,000 copies were made. Some copies included a Fiend Club membership form, which has become a collectible piece on its own. Distribution was handled through mail order, local shops, and punk distribution networks. Most copies ended up in the hands of hardcore fans who played them repeatedly.

The Misfits disbanded in 1983, but their influence grew exponentially in the decades that followed. Metallica covered "Last Caress." Every horror-punk and psychobilly band that followed owed them a debt. Original Plan 9 pressings became the holy grail for punk collectors.

How to Identify It

Authentic copies of the original 1979 pressing have specific characteristics:

• Label: Plan 9 Records with catalog number PL1011

• Black vinyl (no color vinyl variants for the first pressing)

• Matrix/runout etchings: PL-1011-A on side A, PL-1011-B on side B

• Picture sleeve: Black and white sleeve with horror imagery

• Fiend Club insert: Some copies include the original membership form

• No barcode anywhere on the sleeve or labels

Common confusions:

• Caroline Records reissue (1986): Later reissues on Caroline use different catalog numbers and heavier vinyl stock. These are worth $20-$60.

• Plan 9 reissues: Plan 9 itself repressed several Misfits singles in the mid-1980s. Check matrix numbers carefully against Discogs records.

• Bootlegs: Numerous bootleg pressings exist. Look for differences in paper quality, printing sharpness, and label font details.

Value by Condition

Good+ (G+): $100 - $200

A heavily played copy with surface noise and possible light scratches. The sleeve shows wear, creasing, or edge splits. Even in this condition, the scarcity drives value. An original pressing in any playable condition has a market.

Very Good+ (VG+): $300 - $500

Light surface marks that don't significantly affect playback. The sleeve is intact with minor edge wear. A VG+ copy with the Fiend Club insert pushes toward the higher end. Copies in this range appear on eBay and Discogs a few times per year.

Near Mint (NM): $700 - $1,200

Minimal play evidence. The vinyl is clean and the sleeve retains sharp printing. An NM copy sold for $765 on eBay. Copies with all original inserts and clean sleeves command the highest prices in this range. These are genuinely scarce after 45+ years.

Mint / Sealed: $1,500 - $2,500+

An unplayed copy is exceptionally rare for a DIY punk single from 1979. Most collectors who bought these played them. Sealed or demonstrably unplayed copies with all inserts command premium prices. Market peak saw copies approach $3,000.

Known Variations

• With Fiend Club insert: Commands a 20-30% premium over copies without the insert

• Without insert: Still valuable but the insert adds provenance and completeness

• Sleeve variations: Minor printing differences exist between batches. All original Plan 9 PL1011 copies are considered first pressings.

Authentication & Fakes

Fakes and bootlegs are a real concern for Misfits singles. The high values and relatively simple packaging make them targets. Watch for:

• Paper weight and texture: Original Plan 9 sleeves use specific paper stock. Bootlegs often feel different.

• Printing quality: Original covers have a specific dot pattern visible under magnification. Modern printing looks different.

• Vinyl weight: Original pressings used standard 1970s vinyl that's slightly thinner than modern 180-gram stock.

• Matrix etchings: Compare hand-etched markings in the dead wax to documented copies on Discogs. Hand-etched markings have specific characteristics unique to the original pressing plant.

• Label font and spacing: Compare letter spacing and font size to verified originals. Bootleggers often get these slightly wrong.

When spending $500+, buy from established punk vinyl dealers or verified Discogs sellers with strong feedback ratings. Ask for detailed photos of the deadwax area.

Where to Sell

• Discogs: The best platform for rare punk vinyl. Buyers on Discogs are knowledgeable and willing to pay market rates for authenticated originals. Seller fees are 8%.

• eBay: Broader audience, competitive bidding can drive prices above Discogs fixed-price listings. Use auction format for NM copies. Fees around 13%.

• Specialist dealers: Shops and dealers that focus on punk and hardcore (like Record Space, Amoeba Music) buy directly. Expect 50-70% of retail.

• Record shows: Punk and new wave shows attract the right buyers. No platform fees.

Ship vinyl in a proper record mailer with cardboard stiffeners. Insured shipping is essential for values over $300. Cost runs $8-$15 domestically.

Not sure if your copy is an original pressing? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for help with identification.

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