Constellation Records (Solar)
| Constellation Records | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Unidisc Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Dick Griffey |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Status | Defunct |
| Distributor(s) | Elektra Records (1981 - 1984) MCA Records (1984 - 1987) |
| Genre | Soul Post-disco R&B |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
Constellation Records was an American label of SOLAR Records and then MCA Records.[1]
History
In 1981, Constellation was founded by Dick Griffey as an attempt to introduce more contemporary acts to Griffey's more traditionally "urban" establishment and was already being distributed through Elektra/Asylum Records.[2][3]
In 1984, Dick Griffey moved the Constellation label over to MCA Records for distribution, deciding now to abandon contemporary music and continue the SOLAR tradition, which, in turn, was a move that finally brought recognition to the label. Among the acts who shifted to the label were veteran Soul Train/SOLAR first lady Carrie Lucas (who eventually married Griffey) and Klymaxx.[4]
In 1987, Constellation was folded into MCA, when the artists, including Klymaxx, were transferred to MCA. Universal Music Group owned all of its post-1984 back catalog. On the other hand, EMI (which acquired SOLAR's back catalog after its closure in 1995) owned all of its pre-1984 back catalog. Unidisc Music currently owns most of SOLAR's (including Constellation) back catalog.
Notable Artists
- Jon Gibson
- Klymaxx
- Carrie Lucas
- Bill Wolfer
- Collage
References
- ^ "Black Music Month: Dick Griffey & SOLAR Records". Los Angeles Sentinel. 24 June 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ Green, Paul (September 18, 1982). "SOLAR to Debut Pop Subsidiary". Billboard. 94 (37). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 72. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ Maultsby, Portia; Burnim, Mellonee (October 26, 2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis. p. 166. ISBN 9781315472089. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ Hunt, Darnell; Ramon, Ana-Christina (May 1, 2010). Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities. NYU Press. p. 276. ISBN 9780814773062. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.