Island Records facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island Records |
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| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 4 July 1959 |
| Founder | Chris Blackwell Graeme Goodall Leslie Kong |
| Distributor(s) | Self-distributed (US) EMI/Island UK (UK) Universal Music Group (international) Island Def Jam (France) Island Philippines (Philippines) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (most of Island Pictures film library) |
| Genre | Various |
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Island Records is a famous record label that started in Jamaica. It is now owned by Universal Music Group. The company was created in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong.
Island Records became very important in the music world. It helped many artists become famous, especially in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Today, Island Records has offices in the US, UK, Australia, and France. It is still one of Universal Music Group's most important record labels.
Contents
The Story of Island Records
How Island Records Started
Island Records began in Jamaica on July 4, 1959. Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong were the founders. Stanley Borden helped pay for it. The name "Island" came from the song "Island in the Sun" by Harry Belafonte. Chris Blackwell said he just loved music and wanted to be part of it.
In the early days, the label was a bit messy but exciting. Their first big hit in the UK was "My Boy Lollipop" by Jamaican singer Millie Small in 1964. This song helped Island Records become well-known around the world. Blackwell wanted to help artists have long careers, not just quick hits.
Blackwell moved to England in 1962 to get more attention for Island's music. He sold records directly to stores because radio stations and newspapers wouldn't play or review their music. Graeme Goodall later left to start his own label, Doctor Bird.
Growing Bigger and Signing Stars
Island Records signed the Spencer Davis Group, which became very popular. This helped Island start its own series for UK rock music. They signed many famous artists like John Martyn, Fairport Convention, Free, Roxy Music, King Crimson, Traffic, Cat Stevens, and Steve Winwood.
Chris Blackwell also played a big part in bringing reggae music to the world. He signed Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals. The Maytals were the first group to use the word "reggae" in a song with their 1968 hit "Do the Reggay". Blackwell helped choose the band members for Toots and the Maytals before they became famous internationally.
In 1969, Island Records bought an old church building in London. They turned it into the Island Studios recording studio and their new office. The first album by Toots and the Maytals released by Island was Funky Kingston. This album was a big success and helped make reggae music popular worldwide.
Challenges and New Beginnings
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Island Records faced some tough times. Bob Marley passed away in 1981, which was a big loss for the label. However, the Irish rock band U2 had just signed with Island in 1980 and was starting to become very popular.
Chris Blackwell also started a film company called Island Alive, which made movies like Kiss of the Spider Woman and Stop Making Sense. This showed that Island Records was about more than just music.
The label also had success with its 4th & Broadway division, which released hip hop and dance-pop music. Artists like Eric B. and Rakim and the Stereo MCs were on this label. Singer Robert Palmer had a huge hit with "Addicted to Love" in 1986.
Joining PolyGram and Universal Music Group
In 1989, Chris Blackwell sold Island Records to PolyGram for a lot of money. Blackwell said it had become "too big and too corporate" for him. After the sale, Island was no longer an independent company. Blackwell stayed on for ten years to help manage the new Island Entertainment division.
In 1998, a company called Seagram bought PolyGram, which included Island Records. Seagram then combined PolyGram with Universal Music Group (UMG). This made Island Records part of one of the biggest music companies in the world.
Under Universal Music Group, Island Records continued to be a major label. It focused mostly on pop and rock music. Even though U2 later moved to another label, artists like Tricky and PJ Harvey were happy to sign with Island because they felt they had creative freedom.
Celebrating 50 Years: Island 50
In 2009, Island Records celebrated its 50th anniversary. They held many live concerts and an exhibition called "Island 50." These events showed off the label's history, from its reggae and jazz roots to modern music.
Many famous artists performed, including Sly & Robbie, Ernest Ranglin, Paul Weller, Grace Jones, Steel Pulse, Keane, Toots & The Maytals, Cat Stevens, and U2.
The exhibition featured cool items like the car from U2's Achtung Baby album cover, Nick Drake's guitar, and Amy Winehouse's dress from the Grammy Awards. It also showed photos from famous photographers who worked with Island Records.
Island's Recent Success: 2009–Present
After its 50th anniversary, Island Records continued to have great success. Many established artists like PJ Harvey, Keane, Paul Weller, and Bombay Bicycle Club released new music. The label also signed exciting new artists.
In 2016, Island Records had a very successful year in the UK. Four of their artists had number one albums: PJ Harvey's The Hope Six Demolition Project, Drake's Views, Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman, and Catfish & The Bottlemen's The Ride.
Artists of the Last Decade
PJ Harvey's album Let England Shake (2011) won the Mercury Music Prize. This made her the only artist to win the award twice!
Mumford & Sons signed with Island in 2009. Their first album, Sigh No More, sold millions of copies. Their second album, Babel, was the fastest-selling album in the UK in 2012 and won a Grammy Award.
Florence and the Machine also signed with Island. Their first album, Lungs (2009), sold four million copies and won British Album Of The Year at the BRIT Awards.
Keane had five number-one albums in the UK, a feat only beaten by The Beatles. Paul Weller also continued his successful career with Island.
Bombay Bicycle Club released four albums with Island, each trying a different music style. Catfish & The Bottlemen signed in 2014 and won the British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards in 2016. Their second album, The Ride, was a UK number one.
Island Records also helped Drake and The Weeknd become global superstars. Drake's song "One Dance" was the UK's biggest-selling single of 2016. The Weeknd's album Starboy (2016) was also a huge success. In 2016, Island also signed Sean Paul.
Other successful artists on Island include Disclosure, AlunaGeorge, Jessie Ware, and John Newman.
In 2020, Universal Music Group launched Island Records Philippines. This was the first Island Records branch in Southeast Asia.
Manga Entertainment
Island Records also had a part in creating Manga Entertainment in 1991. This company focused on anime and Japanese films. Manga Entertainment helped bring popular anime like Akira to the UK.
Artists and Music
Island Records has worked with many different artists over the years. They continue to support new music and help artists share their talent with the world.
Other Labels and Companies
Island Records has had many smaller labels and partnerships over the years. Here are some of them:
- Antilles Records (1972–1998)
- Apollo Recordings (2006–2007)
- Black Swan Records (UK) (1963–1965 and mid-1970s)
- Dublekick Company (2010–present)
- Europa Recordings (2006–2007)
- EmArcy Records (2014–present)
- 4th & Broadway (1983–1998, 2014–present)
- Gee Street Records (1990–1997)
- Island Masters (1980s–1990s; reissues)
- Island Records Australia (2007–present)
- Island Reggae Greats (1985, compilation series; re-issued in several forms)
- Island Trading Company (US holding distributor under PolyGram; 1983–1989)
- Manga Entertainment (1991–1997, moved to Chris Blackwell's Palm Pictures, then was sold to Starz Media)
- Mango Records (1972-1997)
- Mercury Records (2014–2015)
- MonarC Entertainment (2002, founded by Mariah Carey)
- Safehouse Records (2015–present, founded by Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, and Phil Mclntyre)
- Smash Records (1994–1999)
- So So Def Recordings (2007–2009, founded by Jermaine Dupri)
- Springtime! (1981–1985)
- Stiff Records (1984–1986 only)
- Stolen Transmission (2005−2007, remained independent until 2008)
- Sue Records (1963–68)
- Surprise Records (mid-1960s, later known as Sportdisc)
- TAG Records (2008–2009)
- Teen Island (2008–2011)
- Trojan Records (1967–1968 only)
- Tuff Gong (1990–present, founded by Bob Marley)
- Witchseason Productions (Joe Boyd)
Images for kids
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Island Records logo used between 1967 and 1970
See also
In Spanish: Island Records para niños
