Decca
Formed in 1934 as American subsidiary of British Decca with Jack Kapp as President: bought
from UK Decca in the mid-40s and later taken over by MCA who dropped the Decca label for
the MCA label in the seventies. A&R in the 50s: Dave Kapp: Milt Gabler, Jimmy
Hilliard, Bob Thiele, Paul Cohen, Owen Bradley (Nashville) Music Directors: Gordon
Jenkins, Dick Jacobs
Black Pop: Mills Brothers, Ink Spots, Al Hibbler, Ella Fitzgerald
Rhythm and Blues: Louis Jordan till 1950, Buddy Johnson, Lionel Hampton, Lucky Millindetr
Gospel: Marie Knight. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Country and western; Red Foley, Ernest Tubbs, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells
Rock and Roll: Billy Haley and His Comets
Country Pop: Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee
Subsidiaries:
Coral: Formed 1949
Pop: McGuirre Sisters, Teresa Brewer
Rock and Roll: Buddy Holly
Brunswick Revived 1957
Rock and Roll: Crickets
Rhythm and Blues: Jackie Wilson
Mercury.
Founded in 1946 in Chicago with Irving Green as President, Absorbed Majestic Records in
1947. A&R Mitch Miller !1948-1950) Art Talmadge, Arnold Maxin, Bob Shad, Clyde Otis
Pop: Georgia Gibbs, Ralph Materie, Xavier Guat, Patti Page, Rusty Draper, Crew Cuts,
Diamonds, Johnny Preston
Rhythm and Blues Bands: Buddy Johnson. Eddie Vinson, Sil Austin
Vocal Group: Platters
Rock and Roll: Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, The Big Bopper
Swamp Pop: Phil Phillips, Jivin' Gene
Subsidiary
Smart. Formed in 1961
Pop: Bruce Channel, Joe Barry
RCA-Victor.
The Victor Talking Machine Company was formed in October, 1901 by Emile Berliner and
Elridge Johnson, the inventors of mechanical recording and reproducing machines. In 1929
Victor was taken over by the Radio Corporation of America. A&R: Charlie Green, Manie
Sacks, Steve Sholes. Music Director: Hugo Wintethaler. Head of Nashville Division: Chet
Atkins.
Pop: Perry Como, Kay Starr, Lou Monte, Prez Prado, Harry Belafonte, Eartha Kitt, Neil
Sedaka
Country: Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, Skeeter Davis, Don Gibson. Jim Reeves
Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley, Janis Martin
Black Pop: Jesse Belvin, Sam Cooke, Isley Brothers
Subsidiaries
Groove. Formed in 1953 under the supervision of Bob Rolontz
Rhythm and Blues: Du-Droppers, Mickey and Sylvia , Piano Red
X.
Formed in 1953 renamed VIK in 1956
Pop: Norman Petty Trio. Joe Valino
Columbia.
Founded circa 1885 Musical Director and A7R chief during the fifties: Mitch Miller
Black Ballad singer: Johnny Mathis
Country and Western: Gene Autry, Marty Robbins
Rock and Roll: Sid King, Ronnie Self
Pop: Doris Day, Guy Mitchell. Frankie Laine,Johnnie Ray, Four Lads, Rosemary Clooney, Jo
Stafford
Subsidiary labels
Epic: Black ballad singer: Roy Hamilton
Okeh
Rhythm and Blues: Treniers,Chuck Willis, Larry Darnell, Paul Gaytom. Titus Turner, Annie
Laurie, Chris Powell
Rock and Roll: Screamin'' Jay Hawkins
Capitol.
Founded by Glenn Miller, Buddy DeSylva and Johnny Mercer in Los Angeles in 1942. Bought by
E.M.I. 1956. Music Directors: Les Baxter, Billy May, Nelson Riddle, A&R:Ken
Nelson,Volye Gilmore, Dave Cavanaugh, Dave Dexter Jr.
Black ballad singers:Nat "King" Cole, Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher
Country and Western: Hank Thompson, Tennessee Ernie Ford,Ella Mae Morse,Merrill Moore,
Ferlin Husky
Black vocal group: Five Keys
Rock and Roll: Gene Vincent, Esquerita, Johnny Otis
MGM
Formed in Hollywood in 1946 a division of the film company. A&R: Arnold Maxin and
Morty Craft: Nashville: Jim Vinneau Music Director: Leroy Holmes
Country and Western: Hank Williams
Black Pop: Billy Ecksine, Ivory Joe Hunter, Tommy Edwards
:Pop: Conway Twitty, Connie Francis
Subsidiary
CUB
Black Pop: Impalas
ABC Paramount:
Formed in Hollywood in 1955. President: Sam Clark. A& Music Director:s: Don Coata, Sid
Feller
Pop: Paul Anka
Black Pop: Lloyd Price
Rock and Roll: Danny and the Juniors
Subsidiary
APT
Vocal group: Elegants