A&M Records

A&M Records ([l74446]) was started in 1962 by partners [a=Herb Alpert] and [a=Jerry Moss], hence the A&M (Alpert & Moss). Their first release (following two singles released under the label name [l=Carnival Records (4)]) was "The Lonely Bull" by [a=Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass], which sold around 700,000 copies. Sixteen of the first 25 albums were certified gold by the RIAA and helped A&M become a major label and ultimately the world's largest independent record company. Label code for royalty payments: LC 0485 / LC 00485 One method of identifying pressings is by a single-letter code printed on the center labels: A = [l=Sonic Recording Products, Inc.] (until ca. 1975) or [l344965] (1975-1980s) B = [l285745] C = [l264380] (through 1984) or [l473670] (1985–1986) R = [l406973] W = [l442751] X = [l447694] Y = [l403953] Z = [l376197] A&M label history https://www.onamrecords.com/labels/a-m-records/146447/history European A&M releases started using the PolyGram xxxxxx-x catalogue numbers at the end of 1984. Any release with such a number is after that date. In Japan, the A&M Records imprint is managed by [l=Universal Sigma] and is independent of Interscope. Some notable events over the years, courtesy of On A&M Records.com: 1967: Started distributing [l=CTI Records] in a deal that ran until 1970. 1967: The [l=A&M Studios] were installed in Hollywood, California. The label first appeared in the UK, distributed by Pye. 1969: [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Ltd.]A&M Records Ltd.[/url] opened in Great Britain. 1970: [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Of+Canada+Limited]A&M Records Of Canada Limited[/url] was established. 1977: A&M opened an office in Europe. It was called A&M Records Europe S.A. and based in Paris. Titles were manufactured and distributed by [l=CBS] in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 1979: Started distributing [l=I.R.S. Records]. This deal continued until 1985. 1982: Started distributing the folk/new age label [l=Windham Hill Records]. This deal continued until 1989. 1987: Started distributing [l=Twin Tone Records] (selected titles) and [l=Nimbus Records]. 1988: Launched sub-label [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/Vendetta+Records+(2)]Vendetta Records[/url] in NYC. It was shut down in 1990. 1989: A&M was sold to [l=PolyGram], but operated under Alpert and Moss's leadership until 1993. The sale included A&M of Canada and Britain and was effective January 1, 1990. 1991: Agreement signed with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to launch [l=Perspective Records]. It was shut down in 1996. 1993: Unhappy with the increased integration of the label into the PolyGram corporate structure, Alpert & Moss left A&M and start a new label, [l=Almo Sounds]. 1995: Three year agreement signed with producer [a=Ric Wake] to form [l=DV8 Records]. 1999: PolyGram becomes part of the international [l=Universal Music Group]. 1999: A&M is made part of the [l=Interscope Geffen A&M] division of Universal. 2004: [l=Universal Sigma] begins using the A&M Records imprint for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of Interscope/Geffen/A&M). 2006: A&M Records is made a frontline label in the UK. 2007: Universal merges A&M with [l=Octone] Records and places Octone's management in charge of combined label as [l=A&M/Octone Records] (except in Japan and the UK). 2013: A&M/Octone is absorbed by Interscope. Despite the label's absorption, its core artist [a=Sting] managed to release his music for Interscope Geffen A&M (now [l=Interscope Capitol Labels Group]) post-2013 under the A&M name; his recent release under the defunct imprint was 2021's [url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2386273][i]The Bridge[/i][/url].