United Artists Records
Max E. Youngstein founded United Artists Records in 1957 to issue movie soundtracks for the film studio of the same name. The label released an album of music from the film The Big Country in 1958. Composer Jerome Moross received an Academy Award nomination for this score. This early focus on cinema established a unique identity within the crowded record industry. The label also issued Forest of the Amazons in 1959, a cantata by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Brazilian soprano Bidu Sayão served as the featured soloist on that unusual recording. It appeared on both LP and reel-to-reel tape formats.
United Artists expanded into rock and roll and R&B hits starting in 1959 with groups like the Clovers and Marv Johnson. Berry Gordy placed several early Motown acts with the label including Eddie Holland. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced records for Bobby Goldsboro and Jay and the Americans. The label added folk music when it signed Gordon Lightfoot. Easy listening came through Ferrante & Teicher. In 1960 Alan Douglas ran the jazz division with producers George Wein and Jack Lewis. Jazz albums included Count Basie, Art Blakey, and Billie Holiday. Many album covers were designed by Frank Gauna. The label acquired Sue Records masters in 1966 which produced Ike & Tina Turner.
In 1969 United Artists merged with co-owned Liberty Records and its subsidiary Imperial Records. The official name changed to Liberty/United Records after executives Artie Mogull and Jerry Rubinstein bought the company from Transamerica in 1978. They secured a loan from EMI which took over distribution of the label. The deal caused an immediate setback as Jet Records ended its relationship with UA. Electric Light Orchestra albums were dumped into the cutout market because CBS could not prevent the move. Unable to generate enough income to cover the loan, Liberty/United Records was sold to EMI in 1979 for $3 million. The buyer assumed liabilities of $32 million during that transaction.
The label operated several subsidiary imprints including Unart, Solid State, and UAR Latino alongside budget series designed for product tie-ins. Solid State began recording albums by The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1966. Unart was created in 1958 for singles by vocal groups but ceased operations in 1959 before being reinstated in 1967 for budget albums. United Artists produced children's records under the Tale Spinners for Children name throughout the 1960s. These were album-length adaptations of classic fairy tales presented as audio dramas. Special projects included The Incredible World of James Bond sold by Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay. Music from Marlboro Country featured cover versions of themes sold by Philip Morris.
EMI dropped the United Artists name in 1980 and revived the Liberty label for releases by artists who had been signed to UA. This incarnation of Liberty Records operated between 1980 and about 1986 when it was deactivated. Many albums from the catalog were reissued on Liberty during these years. Two significant exceptions were Beatles albums not previously controlled by EMI in the United States. The A Hard Day's Night soundtrack and Let It Be were released by Capitol Records instead. When producer Jerry Weintraub attempted to revive the label in 1986 only one album appeared. That release was the soundtrack for The Karate Kid Part II featuring a single called Fish for Life. The catalog is now controlled by Capitol Records part of Universal Music Group.
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Common questions
Who founded United Artists Records and when was it established?
Max E. Youngstein founded United Artists Records in 1957 to issue movie soundtracks for the film studio of the same name.
What early releases did United Artists Records produce before expanding into rock music?
The label released an album of music from the film The Big Country in 1958 and issued Forest of the Amazons in 1959 featuring Brazilian soprano Bidu Sayão.
When did United Artists merge with Liberty Records and what was the new company name?
United Artists merged with co-owned Liberty Records and its subsidiary Imperial Records in 1969, but the official name changed to Liberty/United Records after executives Artie Mogull and Jerry Rubinstein bought the company from Transamerica in 1978.
How much did EMI pay to acquire Liberty/United Records in 1979 and what liabilities were assumed?
Liberty/United Records was sold to EMI in 1979 for $3 million while the buyer assumed liabilities of $32 million during that transaction.
Which subsidiary imprints did United Artists Records operate alongside budget series designed for product tie-ins?
The label operated several subsidiary imprints including Unart, Solid State, and UAR Latino alongside budget series such as Tale Spinners for Children and special projects like Music from Marlboro Country.