# EMI Records

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/EMI_Records
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/EMI_Records.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI_Records
> Source revision: 1343869756
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

British record label

This article is about the record label. Not to be confused with its former parent company, [EMI](/source/EMI). For the former Japanese label of this name, see [EMI Records Japan](/source/EMI_Records_Japan). For the former Philippine label of this name, see [PolyEast Records](/source/PolyEast_Records).

Record label

EMI Records Parent company Universal Music Group (UMG) (2012–present) Previously EMI (1973–1979, 1996–2012) Thorn EMI (1979–1996) Warner Music Group (WMG) (2013–present; back catalogue) Founded 1 January 1973; 53 years ago (1973-01-01) (original) 1 April 2014; 12 years ago (2014-04-01) (Japan relaunch) 30 June 2014; 12 years ago (2014-06-30) (Taiwan relaunch) 16 June 2020; 6 years ago (2020-06-16) (Europe relaunch) 19 June 2023; 3 years ago (2023-06-19) (Malaysia relaunch as EMI Music Malaysia) February 2024; 2 years ago (February 2024) (Philippines relaunch)[1][2] Defunct March 2013; 13 years ago (2013-03) (original) Distributors Island EMI Label Group (in the United Kingdom) Interscope Capitol Labels Group/Republic (in the United States) Universal Music Japan (in Japan) Universal Music Taiwan (in Taiwan) Universal Music Malaysia (in Malaysia) UMG Philippines (in the Philippines) Universal Music Group (outside the UK, US and selected territories) Virgin Music Group (Virgin Records' British catalogue and repertoire only) Genre Various Country of origin United Kingdom Location London, UK (European division) Tokyo, Japan (Japanese division) Official website emirecords.com

**EMI Records** (formerly **EMI Records Ltd.**) is a British multinational [record label](/source/Record_label) owned by [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group). It was originally founded as a British flagship label by the music company [EMI](/source/EMI) in 1972, and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its [Columbia](/source/Columbia_Graphophone_Company) and [Parlophone](/source/Parlophone) record labels. The label was later launched worldwide.[3] It has a branch in India called EMI Records India, run by director [Mohit Suri](/source/Mohit_Suri).[4] In 2014, [Universal Music Japan](/source/Universal_Music_Japan) revived the label in Japan as the successor to [EMI Records Japan](/source/EMI_Records_Japan). In June 2020, Universal revived the label as the successor to [Virgin EMI](/source/Virgin_EMI), with [Virgin Records](/source/Virgin_Records) now operating as an imprint of EMI Records.[5] In February 2024, [UMG Philippines](/source/UMG_Philippines) relaunched EMI as a successor to [the former EMI Philippines label](/source/PolyEast_Records) after 22 years.[1][2]

## History

Logo used from 1973 to 2010.

An EMI Records Ltd. legal entity was created in 1956 as the record manufacturing and distribution arm of EMI in the UK. It oversaw EMI's various labels, including [The Gramophone Co. Ltd.](/source/Gramophone_Company), [Columbia Graphophone Company](/source/Columbia_Graphophone_Company), and [Parlophone](/source/Parlophone) Co. Ltd.[6]

In July 1965, the standalone EMI Record labels were extracted from E.M.I. Records Ltd. and folded into The Gramophone Company Ltd. On 1 July 1973, The Gramophone Co. Ltd. was renamed EMI Records Ltd. At the same time, E.M.I. Records Ltd. was wound down and its activities were absorbed into EMI Records Ltd.[7]

Earlier, on 1 January 1973, all of The Gramophone Company Ltd. pop labels (Columbia, Parlophone, Harvest, Sovereign and Regal) had been rebranded as EMI. EMI Records then signed new music artists that became worldwide successes: [Kraftwerk](/source/Kraftwerk), [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance_(band)), [Queen](/source/Queen_(band)), [Olivia Newton-John](/source/Olivia_Newton-John), [Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden), [Kate Bush](/source/Kate_Bush), [Sheena Easton](/source/Sheena_Easton), and [Pink Floyd](/source/Pink_Floyd) (though some of these acts were on different labels in the US, not EMI's [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records)). In 1978, EMI launched [EMI America Records](/source/EMI_America_Records) as its second label in the United States after Capitol, and in 1988, EMI America later merged with sister label [Manhattan Records](/source/Manhattan_Records), founded in 1984,[8] becoming EMI Manhattan Records and eventually EMI Records USA when Capitol absorbed it in 1989. In June 1997, the EMI Records USA division was folded into [Virgin Records](/source/Virgin_Records) and Capitol.[9]

In October 1979, EMI Ltd. merged with [Thorn Electrical Industries](/source/Thorn_Electrical_Industries) to become Thorn EMI,[10] whose shareholders voted on 16 August 1996 in favour of demerging Thorn from EMI again. The recorded music division became EMI Group plc, and the electronics and rentals divisions were divested as Thorn plc.[11]

In 2010, EMI Records opened a [country music](/source/Country_music) division, EMI Records Nashville, which includes on its roster [Troy Olsen](/source/Troy_Olsen), [Alan Jackson](/source/Alan_Jackson), [Kelleigh Bannen](/source/Kelleigh_Bannen), and [Eric Church](/source/Eric_Church). EMI Records Nashville is a sister label to the [Capitol Nashville](/source/Capitol_Records) unit of [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group).[12]

Australia's most prolific artist, [Slim Dusty](/source/Slim_Dusty), signed with the Columbia Graphophone Co. for [Regal Zonophone Records](/source/Regal_Zonophone_Records) in 1946 and remained with EMI until his death in 2003, selling over seven million records for the label in Australia by 2007.

[Virgin EMI Records](/source/Virgin_EMI_Records) retained use of the EMI branding after Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI in September 2012, but it is otherwise unrelated to the old label which was defunct and renamed Parlophone Records in 2013 and is now part of [Warner Music Group](/source/Warner_Music_Group).[13] EMI Christian Music Group was renamed [Capitol Christian Music Group](/source/Capitol_Christian_Music_Group). [EMI Classics](/source/EMI_Classics) was sold to Warner Music Group in February 2013. After EU regulatory approval, EMI Classics was absorbed into [Warner Classics](/source/Warner_Classics) in July 2013.[14]

In April 2013, [EMI Music Japan](/source/EMI_Music_Japan) became defunct following Universal's acquisition of EMI. The company's successor was [EMI Records Japan](/source/EMI_Records_Japan), a sublabel of [Universal Music Japan](/source/Universal_Music_Japan).[15] In February 2014, Universal Japan did a label reorganization, with more than half of the former [EMI Records Japan](/source/EMI_Records_Japan) artists being transferred to Nayutawave Records. Later that year, the two sublabels were combined and rebranded as EMI Records. Since 2018, Takeshi Okada has been the managing director of Universal Japan's EMI Records label.[16] In 2020, the label launched an official YouTube channel, six years after the label was formed.[17]

On 16 June 2020, Universal rebranded Virgin EMI Records as EMI Records and named Rebecca Allen (former president of UMG's Decca label) as the label's president.[5]

In September 2020, Universal launched [Motown](/source/Motown) UK, under EMI Records.[18]

In January 2023, EMI launched EMI North, based in [Leeds](/source/Leeds), becoming the "first major to open a physical space outside of London".[19] In July 2023, Universal Japan announced a new imprint label, Holo-n, which will operate under their EMI Records division in partnership with [Hololive Production](/source/Hololive_Production).[20]

In February 2024, [UMG Philippines](/source/UMG_Philippines) relaunched EMI Records as a successor to the former EMI Philippines label, now known as [PolyEast Records](/source/PolyEast_Records).[1][2]

## See also

- [Abbey Road Studios](/source/Abbey_Road_Studios)

- [List of record labels](/source/List_of_record_labels)

- [List of EMI Records artists](/source/List_of_EMI_Records_artists)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EMIPH1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EMIPH1_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EMIPH1_1-2) ["Universal Music Group Philippines announces re-launch of EMI Records Philippines"](https://www.universalmusic.com/universal-music-group-philippines-announces-re-launch-of-emi-records-philippines/). [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group). 5 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EMIPH2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EMIPH2_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EMIPH2_2-2) Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (6 February 2024). ["Universal Music Group Philippines announces relaunch of EMI Records Philippines with Hale, Dionela, CHNDTR, Gracenote, and more"](https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/emi-records-philippines-relaunch-2024-umg-universal-music-group-philippines-hale-dionela-chndtr-gracenote-the-voice-kids). *Bandwagon Asia*. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Rw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42). 23 December 1972. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["EMI Records India's artist Yash Narvekar is ready to take on Bollywood"](http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/170609-emi-records-indias-artist-yash-narvekar). radioandmusic.com.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-musicweek_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-musicweek_5-1) Mark Sutherland (16 June 2020). ["Virgin EMI rebrands as EMI, Rebecca Allen appointed as label president"](https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/virgin-emi-rebrands-as-emi-rebecca-allen-appointed-as-label-president/080102). *Music Week*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=HCAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA21). 29 April 1957. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Filing_History_7-0)** ["PARLOPHONE RECORDS LIMITED – Filing history (free information from Companies House)"](https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00068172/filing-history). Companies House, Government of the United Kingdom.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_Grove_8-0)** Kennedy, Gary (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). *The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz*. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 172. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-56159-284-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-56159-284-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Bloomberg News (21 June 1997). ["EMI shutting 2 New York-based record labels"](https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/21/business/emi-shutting-2-new-york-based-record-labels.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 14 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["EMI: a giant at war with itself"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3670516/EMI-A-giant-at-war-with-itself.html). *The Telegraph*. 18 January 2008. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3670516/EMI-A-giant-at-war-with-itself.html) from the original on 12 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Vote solid for Thorn demerger"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/vote-solid-for-thorn-demerger-1310081.html). *Independent*. 17 August 1996.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Capitol Announces EMI Records Nashville"](http://www.musicrow.com/2010/03/capitol-announces-emi-nashville/). *MusicRow – Nashville's Music Industry Publication – News, Songs From Music City*. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Parlophone Records Ltd"](http://www.discogs.com/label/563997-Parlophone-Records-Ltd). discogs.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Deutsche Grammophon"](http://www.emiclassics.com/various_artists/news/716). *Emiclassics.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["ユニバーサル ミュージック、EMIミュージックを買収"](https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000083545). *BARKS* (in Japanese). October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["名門「EMI Records」のトップに34歳が抜擢。業界の行先を訊く | CINRA"](https://www.cinra.net/article/interview-gyoukairetsuden-vol14-okadatakeshi). *www.cinra.net* (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["ユニバーサル ミュージックEMI Records所属アーティストで繋ぐ、TikTokリレーがスタート！YouTubeでは過去ライブ映像も一挙公開！ | 最新ニュース | Fanplus Music"](https://music.fanplus.co.jp/news/202004151226e0a4f). *music.fanplus.co.jp*. Retrieved 5 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Lars Brandle (14 September 2020). ["Motown Records Launches U.K. Company"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9448361/motown-records-launches-u-k-company). *Billboard*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Homewood, Ben (27 January 2023). ["EMI launches Leeds-based EMI North, helmed by Clive Cawley"](https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/emi-launches-leeds-based-emi-north-helmed-by-clive-cawley/087316). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. Retrieved 28 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["ユニバーサル ミュージックとホロライブプロダクションが共同レーベル「holo-n」設立"](https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000236760) [Universal Music and Hololive Production Establish Joint Label "Holo-n"]. *BARKS* (in Japanese). 8 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

## External links

- [Official website](https://emirecords.com/)

- [Official website (Japan)](https://www.universal-music.co.jp/)

- [EMI Records's channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzNJEO9BvWbf07vL5caIKrg) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_channel_(identifier))

- [EMI Records (Japan)'s channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcuijrCs22iiS27d4avHR6A) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_channel_(identifier))

v t e Universal Music Group People Lucian Grainge (Chairman and CEO) Vincent Vallejo (Deputy CEO) Boyd Muir (COO) Matt Ellis (CFO) Sherry Lansing (Chair, Board of Directors) Margaret Frerejean-Taittinger (Vicechair, Board of Directors) Jody Gerson (Chair, Universal Music Publishing) Interscope Capitol Labels Group Capitol Music Group Capitol Records Blue Note Records Astralwerks Harvest Records SharpTone Records Capitol Christian Music Group ForeFront Records Sparrow Records Priority Records Interscope Geffen A&M Interscope Records Geffen Records A&M Records Nuclear Blast Records Blood Blast Distribution Interscope Films Aftermath Entertainment Darkroom Dreamville Records Kidinakorner Lost Highway Records Shady Records Cinematic Music Group Downtown Records Verve Label Group Deutsche Grammophon Decca Records Decca Classics Mercury KX Impulse! Records Verve Records Verve Forecast Records Republic Corps Republic Records Motown Quality Control Music Rowdy Records Motown Gospel Universal Records Mercury Records Cash Money Records Young Money Entertainment SRC Records American Recordings Boominati Worldwide Brushfire Records Casablanca Records Federal Films Lava Records Universal Arabic Music XO Out of Line Def Jam Recordings Island Records Virgin Music Group Virgin Records Caroline Records Fontana Records Neon Gold Records Metropolis Records Sumerian Records V2 Records PIAS Group PIAS Recordings UM Latin Entertainment Capitol Latin Disa Records Fonovisa Records Machete Music Universal Music Latino Universal Music México MCA MCA Nashville Mercury Nashville Records Capitol Records Nashville EMI Records Nashville UM Australia Island Records Australia Golden Era Records Modular Recordings Mercury Records Australia EMI Music Australia UM Japan Polydor Records EMI Records Capitol Records Universal Sigma Virgin Music A&M Records Universal D Eastworld Def Jam Recordings Mercury Tokyo Universal Classics UM UK EMI Records Capitol UK Island UK Motown UK Polydor Records 0207 Def Jam Universal Music On Demand UM Greater China Capitol Records China EMI China PolyGram Records China Republic Records China Universal Music China Universal Music Hong Kong Universal Music Taiwan UM France Capitol Music France Decca Records France Island Def Jam MCA France Polydor France Romance Musique PIAS France Virgin Records France UM Philippines Def Jam Philippines EMI Records Island Philippines Republic Records Philippines UMG Philippines Universal Music Africa U-Live Africa Motown Gospel Africa Def Jam Recordings Africa Universal Music Group Nigeria Universal Music South Africa Blue Note Records Africa Virgin Music Africa Other UMG labels Universal Music Enterprises Hip-O Records Universal Music Indonesia Universal Music Malaysia Publishing division Universal Music Publishing Group Universal Production Music Film/TV units Eagle Rock Entertainment Grace - A Storytelling Company PolyGram Entertainment Universal Music Animation Vevo Non-UMG distributed labels Big Machine Label Group Disney Music Group Hollywood Records S-Curve Records Walt Disney Records Roc Nation ECM Records Dew Process Nickelodeon Records Because Music London Recordings Ed Banger Records International third-party licensees Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment)) Helicon (Israel) Tuff Gong (Caribbean) YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels and YG Entertainment)) Musica Studios (Indonesia)

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel Other IdRef MusicBrainz label Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [EMI Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI_Records) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI_Records?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.