Parlophone
Carl Lindström Company founded Parlophon in Germany during 1896. The name appeared on gramophones before the firm began pressing records of its own. A stylized blackletter L marked the label, standing for Lindström. This symbol coincidentally resembled both the British pound sign and the Italian lira sign. Both symbols derived from the letter L used as an abbreviation for the Ancient Roman unit of measurement.
The British branch opened on the 8th of August 1923 under the name Parlophone Company Limited. Oscar Preuss led this new London operation as A&R manager. He had previously set up the company's London branch in 1923. During the 1920s, the label built a reputation specifically as a jazz record label. Columbia Graphophone Company acquired control over the Carl Lindström Company in 1927. This acquisition included Parlophone itself along with its business name and logo.
Oscar Preuss hired producer George Martin as his assistant in 1950. When Preuss retired in 1955, Martin succeeded him as Parlophone's manager. The label specialized mainly in classical music, cast recordings, and regional British music at that time. Martin expanded the reach into novelty and comedy records during his tenure.
One notable example is The Best of Sellers, a collection of sketches by Peter Sellers. It reached number three in the UK Albums Chart in 1958. Others include albums by the comedy music double act Flanders and Swann. Musicians signed to the label included Humphrey Lyttelton and the Vipers Skiffle Group. Teen idol Adam Faith was signed to the label in 1959.
Parlophone gained significant popularity in 1962 when Martin signed Liverpool band the Beatles. They had been rejected by Decca Records earlier that same year. The deal became one of the cheapest by Parlophone. During the 1960s, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer, the Fourmost, and the Hollies also signed. The label placed seven singles at number 1 during 1964.
Parlophone continued as a division of EMI until it merged into the Gramophone Co. on the 1st of July 1965. On the 1st of July 1973, the Gramophone Co. was renamed EMI Records Limited. Most of EMI's heritage labels were phased out in favour of EMI Records. Parlophone became dormant except for Beatles reissues during this period.
The label revived itself in 1980 after years of dormancy. The first single released on the revived label came from British group The Cheaters. That track carried the catalog number R6041 and bore the title Nuthin' Ever Happens On Saturday. During the next decades the label signed Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Roxette, Radiohead, Supergrass, Guy Berryman, the Chemical Brothers, Blur, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Damon Albarn, Conor Maynard, Gabrielle Aplin, and Gorillaz. Miles Leonard was confirmed as the label's president on the 23rd of April 2008.
On the 28th of September 2012, regulators approved Universal Music Group's planned acquisition of EMI for £1.2 billion. Conditions imposed by the European Commission required that UMG sell off a number of labels including Parlophone itself. The Beatles catalogue remained with UMG and moved to Universal's newly formed Calderstone Productions. These labels operated independently from Universal as Parlophone Label Group until a buyer was found.
UMG received several offers for PLG including those from Island founder Chris Blackwell and Simon Fuller. Warner Music Group also submitted an offer alongside a Sony/BMG consortium. On the 7th of February 2013, it was confirmed that Warner Music Group would acquire Parlophone Label Group for US$765 million. The deal closed on the 1st of July after approval in May 2013 by the European Union. The old EMI Records became defunct and was renamed Parlophone Records Ltd.
WMG treats Parlophone as its third frontline label group alongside Atlantic and Warner. In the US, most of Parlophone's artists are now distributed under Warner Records. Dinosaur Pile-Up distributes through Roadrunner Records instead. Coldplay and Tinie Tempah both distribute via Atlantic Records. David Guetta distributes through Atlantic's electronic music imprint Big Beat Records.
Soon after acquiring Parlophone, WMG signed an agreement with IMPALA and the Merlin Network. They divested $200 million worth of catalogues to independent labels to offset consolidation triggered by the merger. In April 2016, the back catalogue of British rock band Radiohead transferred to XL Recordings. Radiohead had sued Parlophone and EMI over a dispute in music royalties earlier. Parlophone also operates Regal, a contemporary revival of the historic Columbia Graphophone budget reissue label founded in 1914.
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Common questions
When was Parlophone founded by Carl Lindström Company?
Carl Lindström Company founded Parlophon in Germany during 1896. The name appeared on gramophones before the firm began pressing records of its own.
Who led the British branch of Parlophone when it opened in 1923?
Oscar Preuss led this new London operation as A&R manager. He had previously set up the company's London branch in 1923.
Which band did George Martin sign to Parlophone in 1962?
Parlophone gained significant popularity in 1962 when Martin signed Liverpool band the Beatles. They had been rejected by Decca Records earlier that same year.
What happened to Parlophone after Universal Music Group acquired EMI in 2012?
On the 7th of February 2013, it was confirmed that Warner Music Group would acquire Parlophone Label Group for US$765 million. The deal closed on the 1st of July after approval in May 2013 by the European Union.
When did Warner Music Group officially take over Parlophone Records Ltd?
The deal closed on the 1st of July after approval in May 2013 by the European Union. The old EMI Records became defunct and was renamed Parlophone Records Ltd.