Parlophone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parlophone Records |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Parent company |
|
| Founded | 1896 (as Parlophon Parlograph Company) (subsidiary of the Carl Lindström Company until 1926) |
| Founder | Carl Lindström |
| Distributor(s) |
|
| Genre | Various |
Parlophone Records is a famous record label that started in Germany in 1896. It was first called Parlophon by the Carl Lindström Company. Later, a British part of the label was set up on 8 August 1923. This British branch became known for its jazz music in the 1920s.
In 1926, the Columbia Graphophone Company bought Parlophone. Then, in 1931, Columbia Graphophone joined with another company to form Electric & Musical Industries (EMI). A very important person named George Martin joined Parlophone in 1950. He became the manager in 1955. Martin helped produce music for many artists, including comedian Peter Sellers and teen idol Adam Faith.
In 1962, George Martin signed the Beatles, a band from Liverpool. The Beatles had been turned down by another record company earlier that year. During the 1960s, Parlophone became one of the most famous record labels in the world. Other artists like Cilla Black and the Hollies also joined. Parlophone released some of the best-selling songs and albums in the UK, like "She Loves You" and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles.
Later, in 2012, a company called Universal Music Group (UMG) bought EMI. However, they had to sell off some parts of EMI, including Parlophone (but not the Beatles' music, which UMG kept). In 2013, Warner Music Group (WMG) bought Parlophone. Today, Parlophone is one of WMG's main record labels and is the oldest one they own.
Contents
The Story of Parlophone Records
How Parlophone Began
Parlophone was first created in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company. The name "Parlophon" was used for record players before the company started making its own records. The label's special logo, which looks like a fancy 'L', stands for Lindström.
On 8 August 1923, the British part of "Parlophone" (with an "e" added) was started. It was led by Oscar Preuss. In its early years, Parlophone became a top label for jazz music in Britain.
Joining EMI and Early Success
In 1927, the Columbia Graphophone Company took over the Carl Lindström Company, which included Parlophone. Then, in 1931, Parlophone became part of EMI when Columbia Graphophone joined with another company.
In 1950, Oscar Preuss hired George Martin as his helper. When Preuss retired in 1955, Martin took over as the head of Parlophone. At first, Parlophone mainly released classical music and comedy records. George Martin helped expand the types of music they released. For example, he produced The Best of Sellers, a funny album by Peter Sellers that became very popular in 1958.
A very successful artist for Parlophone was teen idol Adam Faith, who joined in 1959. But the label became super famous in 1962 when George Martin signed the Beatles. Parlophone gained even more attention after signing other popular bands like the Hollies and Gerry and the Pacemakers in the 1960s.
George Martin left EMI/Parlophone in 1965 to start his own recording studios. Parlophone continued to release music from many famous artists. These included Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Radiohead, Coldplay, and Kylie Minogue.
Becoming Part of Warner Music Group
In 2012, Universal Music Group (UMG) planned to buy EMI, Parlophone's parent company. However, to get approval, UMG had to sell off several labels, including Parlophone. The Beatles' music, however, stayed with UMG.
On 7 February 2013, it was announced that Warner Music Group would buy Parlophone. This deal was approved in May 2013. Warner Music officially completed the purchase on 1 July 2013. The old EMI Records label, which included Parlophone, was then renamed "Parlophone Records Ltd."
Today, Warner Music Group sees Parlophone as one of its three main record labels. In the US, most of Parlophone's artists are now distributed by Warner Records.
Famous Artists on Parlophone
Parlophone has worked with many popular music artists over the years. It also runs a label called Regal, which is a modern version of an older record label. Many artists who became famous were signed to Parlophone.
The Beatles and Parlophone
Most of the Beatles' early albums in the UK, up to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, were released on the Parlophone label. Later albums, like The Beatles (also known as the "White Album") and Abbey Road, were released on the Beatles' own Apple label. However, EMI still made and distributed these records, and they still had Parlophone numbers.
On 6 June 1962, producer George Martin signed the Beatles to Parlophone. This was a very important moment for both the band and the label. Even though Parlophone was later sold to Warner Music, Universal Music Group was allowed to keep the Beatles' music collection. This music is now managed by a company called Calderstone Productions.
Parlophone Record Labels Over Time
-
Vertinsky Parlophone B.23017, made in Germany
-
An early Parlophone record label from the 1900s.
-
With the Beatles (side 1) – This shows the yellow and black Parlophone label.
-
West End Blues, a British Parlophone record.
The pictures above show different designs of Parlophone record labels used over the years. These include labels for older 78s and newer LPs. For 7-inch singles, the label design was similar to other EMI labels, with a big "45" sign on the right. Today, the label designs can be different for each new release.
Images for kids
-
The Parlophone Records logo.
See also
In Spanish: Parlophone para niños
