Jump to content

Epic Records

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Shallowharold (talk | contribs) at 12:29, 2 December 2016 (Undid revision 751058551 by 73.16.211.94 (talk)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the American record company. For Japan's music label (Epic Records Japan), see Epic/Sony Records.
Epic Records
Parent companySony Music Entertainment
a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc.
Founded1953; 71 years ago (1953)
FounderCBS Records
Distributor(s)Sony Music Entertainment
(International)
Legacy Recordings
(Re-issues)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City
Official website

Epic Records is an American record company. A division of Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Epic was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical music label in 1953. It later expanded its scope to include diverse musical genres including pop, R&B, rock and hip hop. Historically, the label has housed popular acts such as Boston, Celine Dion, Dave Clark Five, Fiona Apple, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Sade, Shakira, Meghan Trainor and Sly & the Family Stone.[1]

Along with Columbia and RCA Records, Epic is one of Sony Music Entertainment's three main record labels. L.A. Reid has served as chairman and CEO of Epic since July 2011. Sylvia Rhone was appointed president in March 2014.[2][3]

History

Beginnings

Epic Records was launched in 1953 by Columbia Records for the purpose of marketing jazz, pop and classical music that did not fit the theme of its more mainstream Columbia Records label. Initial classical music releases were from Philips Records which distributed Columbia product in Europe.[4] Pop talent on co-owned Okeh Records were transferred to Epic which made Okeh a rhythm and blues label.[5] Epic's bright-yellow, black, and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. This has included such notables as the Berlin Philharmonic, Charles Rosen, the Juilliard String Quartet, Antal Doráti conducting the Hague Philharmonic and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra.

Expansion of genres and mainstream success

By 1960, the label's musical base had been expanded to include all genres. This was done in part to prevent the roster of Columbia Records (which, at the time, had a reputation for releasing material by more established acts) from being overstuffed with newer artists. [citation needed] Subsequently, Epic became better known for its signing of newer, fledgling acts. By the end of the 1960s, Epic earned its first gold records and had evolved into a formidable hit-making force in rock and roll, R&B and country music. Among its many acts, it included Roy Hamilton, Bobby Vinton, The Dave Clark Five, The Hollies, Tammy Wynette, Donovan, The Yardbirds, Lulu, July, Helen Shapiro and Jeff Beck. Several of the British artists on the Epic roster during the 1960s were the result of CBS's Epic/Okeh units' international distribution deal with EMI; Epic recordings were issued by EMI on the Columbia label.

Also during the 1960s, Epic oversaw the smaller subsidiary CBS labels including Okeh Records and Date Records. In 1968, Epic recordings began being distributed in the UK by CBS after the distribution deal with EMI expired that year;[6] Epic itself launched in England around 1971.[7]

Epic was involved in a notable "trade" of artists. Graham Nash was signed to Epic because of his membership in The Hollies. When the newly formed Crosby, Stills & Nash wanted to sign with Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegün worked out a deal with Clive Davis whereby Richie Furay's new band Poco (having signed with Atlantic due to Furay's contract from being in Buffalo Springfield) would sign with Epic.[8]

Epic's commercial success continued to grow in the 1970s with releases from ABBA in the UK, Boston, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Charlie Daniels, Gabriel, Heart, Heatwave, The Isley Brothers, The Jacksons, George Jones, Labelle, Meat Loaf, Johnny Nash, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Minnie Riperton, Pegasus, Charlie Rich, Sly & the Family Stone, Steve Vai, and Edgar Winter. Also contributing to the label's success was its distribution of Philadelphia International Records, which produced additional hit records by acts such as The Three Degrees and McFadden and Whitehead.

Its 1980s and 1990s mainstream success were fueled by its signing and releasing of albums by notable acts such as Michael Jackson, Teena Marie, Shakin' Stevens, Culture Club, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Adam Ant, Living Colour, Incubus, Dead or Alive, Europe, Cyndi Lauper, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pearl Jam, Sade, Luther Vandross, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rage Against the Machine and Céline Dion, among others. The label's greatest financial payoff came via the release Thriller, the 1982 album by Michael Jackson, which went on to achieve approximately 51–65 million in worldwide sales, becoming the biggest selling album in history.[9][10][11]

Late 1980s–2000s

Sony bought CBS Records in 1987, and the company was renamed Sony Music in 1991. In 2004, Sony merged with another powerhouse music distributor, BMG, bringing labels such as RCA, Arista, Columbia, Epic, Jive, and many others under one parent company, Sony BMG. In February 2009, singer/songwriter Amanda Ghost was appointed president of Epic Records.[12] Later in the year, Sony BMG Music (during a reconsolidation of labels) merged Epic and Columbia's operations, and subsequently formed the Columbia/Epic Label Group — but both labels continue to operate as separate brands. Sony BMG's Legacy Recordings reissues the company's classic and catalog titles.

In addition, in the 1990s, European operations of Sony Music were integrated into two separate labels, Epic and Columbia. It was followed by Australian and New Zealand operation of Sony Music in 1997.

The Japanese operation is called Epic Records Japan Inc.

2010–present

In July 2011, L.A. Reid became the CEO of Epic Records.[13][14] Through Sony Music Entertainment's restructuring, artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, Avril Lavigne, Outkast, Future, Yo Gotti and Ciara have joined Epic.[15][16] Epic also signs the winners of The X Factor.[17]

It was confirmed in February 2012 that Sylvia Rhone, former president of Universal Motown, would launch a new label, Vested In Culture, through Epic Records.[18][19] In March 2014, Rhone was appointed president of Epic, reporting to Reid.[20]

As of April 2014, Epic Records was home to 51 artists.[21] L.A. Reid was reportedly interested into signing Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, but both turned down Epic, saying that they were happy releasing material independently.[22]

In November 2014, it was announced that Mosley Music Group created a joint venture with Sony Music, and that the imprint would be distributed by Epic. It formerly operated under Interscope Geffen A&M from 2006 until late 2014. In the terms of the new partnership, Epic would provide marketing, publicity, handle distribution and overall label services for the imprint. The joint venture was created due to Timbaland's recent collaboration with L.A. Reid on Michael Jackson's "Xscape". Most of MMG's roster would be registered under the Epic imprint, with OneRepublic to remain with Interscope Records.[23]

On January 30, 2015, it was announced that Mariah Carey had left her former label, Def Jam Recordings, to reunite with Reid at Epic, whom met with Carey at Def Jam under The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2004.[24][25] That same month, it was announced that R&B group Jodeci had signed to the label and planned to release their first studio album in 20 years.[26][27]

Wondaland Records, singer Janelle Monáe's imprint, entered into a joint venture with Epic in 2015.[28] Acts on Wondaland include Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Roman GianArthur.[29]

On March 2, 2016, it was announced that Jennifer Lopez had rejoined the label, six years after leaving in favor of Island Def Jam and Capitol Records. Lopez's multi-album deal not only reunited the singer with the label, but also with Reid, whom she signed with at Island Def Jam in 2010.[30]

Imprint labels

The following is a list of labels Epic Records has distributed:

Current

Former

Epic Records artists

Main article: List of Epic Records artists

Current artists

Logos

Unlike sister label Columbia, Epic went through five different logos since its launch. Some logos were temporarily revived for period reissues. The years shown below list the time served as the label's primary logo.

  • Classic radial sound sunburst logo 1953-1973, 1998-2005 An editor has nominated the above file for discussion of its purpose and/or potential deletion. You are welcome to participate in the discussion and help reach a consensus.
    Classic radial sound sunburst logo 1953-1973, 1998-2005
    An editor has nominated the above file for discussion of its purpose and/or potential deletion. You are welcome to participate in the discussion and help reach a consensus.
  • Big "E" logo, 1973 to 1978
    Big "E" logo, 1973 to 1978
  • Script logo, late 1978-1991, 2005-2011, revived in 2015 and on the website since 2015. Still used on Epic UK since 2005.
    Script logo, late 1978-1991, 2005-2011, revived in 2015 and on the website since 2015. Still used on Epic UK since 2005.
  • Stacked-record logo, 1991-1998
    Stacked-record logo, 1991-1998
  • Red print logo, 2011-2015
    Red print logo, 2011-2015

See also

References

  1. ^ Halperin, Shirley (17 November 2010). "Who Destroyed Epic Records?". Billboard. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. ^ Kennnedy, Gerrick D. (18 July 2011). "LA Reid Officially Named Chairman and CEO of Epic Records". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Gail (19 March 2014). "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  4. ^ Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com (1953-09-19). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  5. ^ Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com. 19 September 1953. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  6. ^ Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.com. 11 May 1968. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ http://7tt77.co.uk/EPIC.html
  8. ^ Robert Greenfield. The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun. Simon and Schuster. 2011. 202-3.
  9. ^ "Arts and Media/Pop Stars/Best-selling Album". Web.archive.org. 17 May 2006. Archived from the original on 17 May 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Michael Jackson, pop music legend, dead at 50". CNN. 25 June 2009.
  11. ^ The Baby Boomer Encyclopedia - Marty Gitlin - Google Books. Books.google.com.pe. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Music label puts singer in charge". BBC News. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  13. ^ "L.A. Reid's First Week at Epic Has Some Staffers Feeling 'Energized'". Billboard.biz. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  14. ^ "L.A. Reid to Run Restructured Epic Records". Billboard.biz. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  15. ^ "Outkast, Ciara Headed for L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Sources Say". Billboard.biz. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  16. ^ "92.5 THE BEAT Montreal's Best Music Variety Radio Station". 925thebeat.ca. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  17. ^ 'X Factor' Has Glitzy Premiere, Complete With Simon-Paula Bickering. Billboard (2011-09-15). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  18. ^ "It's Official: Sylvia Rhone to Run New Label Through Epic | Billboard". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  19. ^ Mitchell, Gail (5 February 2013). "Exclusive: Sylvia Rhone Talks New Label Vested in Culture". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  20. ^ Mitchell, Gail (19 March 2014). "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. ^ "Epic Records Artists | The Official Epic Records Site". Epicrecords.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  22. ^ "Is L.A. Reid Looking to Sign Macklemore to Epic Records?". Billboard. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  23. ^ "Timbaland's Mosley Music Group Is Joining Forces With L.A. Reid (Thanks to Michael Jackson)". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Mariah Carey signs with Epic Records". thehonestyhour.com. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  25. ^ "The Inside Story of How Mariah Carey and L.A. Reid Reunited (at a Fraction of Her Former $80 Million Deal)". Shirley Halperin and Andrew Hampp. 30 January 2015.
  26. ^ "Jodeci Debuts New Single "Every Moment"". epicrecords.com. Epic Records. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  27. ^ "Jodeci Inks Deal With Epic Records For Comeback Album". singersroom.com. Singers Room. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  28. ^ "Janelle Monae inks Joint Venture with Epic Records". theurbandaily.com. 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Janelle Monae's Wondaland Records And Epic Records Launch Landmark Joint Venture Partnership". prnewswire.com. 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  30. ^ Billboard Staff (2 March 2016). "Jennifer Lopez Signs New Deal With Epic Records". Billboard. United States. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  31. ^ "About". Vested In Culture. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  32. ^ "DJ Khaled Announces New Deal With Epic, New Album "Major Key"". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  33. ^ a b Rys, Dan (4 February 2014). "SBOE Signs With Epic Records, Drops "S.O.N.Y" Video - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  34. ^ "Metro Boomin". 23 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  35. ^ "New Record Deal + Acoustic DC Show Added - The Airborne Toxic Event". 9 September 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  36. ^ "Future Stars: Transviolet (Epic Records)". 28 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  37. ^ "Miami Rapper Zoey Dollaz Signs To Future & L.A. Reid". Retrieved 1 July 2016.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epic_Records&oldid=752641927"