Vocalion Records

Vocalion Records was a record label historically active in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Record label - United States - United Kingdom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vocalion was founded in 1916 by the Aeolian Piano Company of New York City, which also introduced a line of phonographs at the same time. The label first issued single sided vertical cut disc records, soon switching to double sided, then switching to the more common lateral cut system in 1920.

Related Topics:
1916 - New York City - Phonograph - Disc records - 1920

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vocalion pressed their discs in a good quality reddish-brown shellac, which set the product apart from the usual black shellac used by other labels. Advertisements stated "Vocalion Red Records are best", "Red Records last longer". However the shellac was no more durable than good quality black shellac. Vocalion red surfaces are less hardy than contemporary Victor Records. Audio fidelity of Vocalion records are well above average for the era.

Related Topics:
Shellac - Victor Records

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1925 the label was acquired by Brunswick Records.

Related Topics:
1925 - Brunswick Records

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1931 Vocalion was acquired by the American Record Corporation.

Related Topics:
1931 - American Record Corporation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vocalion then became a subsidiary of Columbia Records.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Vocalion label was discontinued in 1940. The Vocalion brand was revived in the late 1950s as a budget label for back catalog reissues.

Related Topics:
1940 - 1950s

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~