A & M Records was started in 1962 by partners Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. Their first release (following two singles released under the label name Carnival Records) was "The Lonely Bull" by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, which went on to sell around 700,000 copies. This made A & M one of the most sucessful independent labels of the time, and within a few years it was considered a major label.
Some notable events over the years:
1967: Started distributing CTI Records in a deal that ran until 1970.
1969: A & M Records Ltd. (UK) was opened in Great Britain.
1970: A & M Records (Canada) was established.
1977: A & M Records (Europe) was established in Paris, with titles manufactured and distributed in various European countries, mainly through CBS.
1979: Started distributing I.R.S. Records. This deal continued until 1985.
1982: Started distributing the folk/new age label Windham Hill Records. This deal continued until 1989.
1987: Started distributing Twin Tone Records (selected titles) and Nimbus Records.
1988: Launched sub-label Vendetta Records (USA) in NYC. It was shut down in 1990.
1989: A & M sold to PolyGram, but continued to operate as a seperate label.
1990: A & M Canada bought by PolyGram Canada.
1991: Agreement signed with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to launch Perspective Records (A&M). It was shut down in 1996.
1993: Unhappy with the increased integration of the label into the PolyGram corporate structure, Alpert & Moss leave A & M and start a new label, Almo Sounds.
1995: Three year agreement signed with producer Ric Wake to form DV8 Records.
1998: PolyGram becomes part of the international Universal Music Group.
1999: A & M exists in name only after it is merged with Geffen Records and Interscope Records.
Some notable events over the years:
1967: Started distributing CTI Records in a deal that ran until 1970.
1969: A & M Records Ltd. (UK) was opened in Great Britain.
1970: A & M Records (Canada) was established.
1977: A & M Records (Europe) was established in Paris, with titles manufactured and distributed in various European countries, mainly through CBS.
1979: Started distributing I.R.S. Records. This deal continued until 1985.
1982: Started distributing the folk/new age label Windham Hill Records. This deal continued until 1989.
1987: Started distributing Twin Tone Records (selected titles) and Nimbus Records.
1988: Launched sub-label Vendetta Records (USA) in NYC. It was shut down in 1990.
1989: A & M sold to PolyGram, but continued to operate as a seperate label.
1990: A & M Canada bought by PolyGram Canada.
1991: Agreement signed with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to launch Perspective Records (A&M). It was shut down in 1996.
1993: Unhappy with the increased integration of the label into the PolyGram corporate structure, Alpert & Moss leave A & M and start a new label, Almo Sounds.
1995: Three year agreement signed with producer Ric Wake to form DV8 Records.
1998: PolyGram becomes part of the international Universal Music Group.
1999: A & M exists in name only after it is merged with Geffen Records and Interscope Records.
Website: http://www.interscope.com/
