EMI

The EMI Group is a major record label, based in Hammersmith in London, in the United Kingdom. With operations in over 25 other countries, EMI Group is one of the Big Four record labels.

History

The Electric and Musical Industries Ltd formed in March 1931 from a merger of the UK Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramophone Company. In 1955, to replace the loss of its long-established licensing arrangements with RCA Victor and Columbia Records, EMI entered the American market by acquiring 96% of the stock of Capitol Records.

Related Topics:
March - 1931 - Columbia Graphophone Company - Gramophone Company - 1955 - RCA Victor - Columbia Records - Capitol Records

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The company established subsidiary operations in a number of other countries in the British Commonwealth, including India, Australia and New Zealand. EMI's Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries dominated the popular music industry in those countries from the 1920s until the 1960s, when other locally-owned labels (such as Festival Records) began to challenge EMI's market near monopoly in those regions.

Related Topics:
British Commonwealth - India - Australia - New Zealand - Festival Records

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Under the management of Sir Joseph Lockwood, during the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s the company enjoyed huge success in the popular music field. The groups and solo artists signed to EMI and its subsidary labels -- including Parlophone, HMV and Columbia Records (Australia) and Capitol Records -- made EMI the best-known and most successful recording company in the world at that time, with a roster that included scores major pop acts of the period including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Hollies, Cilla Black and Pink Floyd.

Related Topics:
Sir Joseph Lockwood - Popular music - Parlophone - HMV - Columbia Records (Australia) - The Beatles - The Beach Boys - The Byrds - The Hollies - Cilla Black - Pink Floyd

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In 1969, EMI established a new subsidiary label, Harvest Records, which signed groups in the emerging progressive rock genre, including Pink Floyd.

Related Topics:
1969 - Harvest Records - Progressive rock - Pink Floyd

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Electric & Musical Industries changed its name to EMI Ltd in 1971 and the subsidiary Gramophone Company became EMI Records Ltd in 1973. In February 1979, EMI Ltd. acquired United Artists Records.

Related Topics:
1971 - 1973 - 1979 - United Artists Records

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In October 1979 THORN Electrical Industries Ltd. merged with EMI Ltd. to form Thorn EMI.

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In 1989 Thorn EMI bought a 50% interest in Chrysalis Records, buying the outstanding 50% in 1991. In one of its highest-profile and most expensive acquisitions, Thorn EMI took over Richard Branson's Virgin Records in 1992.

Related Topics:
1989 - Chrysalis Records - 1991 - Richard Branson - Virgin Records

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On August 16, 1996, Thorn EMI shareholders voted in favour of demerger proposals. The resulting media company has since been known by the name EMI Group PLC.

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Under the control of Sir Louis Sterling, EMI opened the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, England in November 1931.

Related Topics:
Louis Sterling - Abbey Road Studios - London - England - November - 1931

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