Elektra Records: Difference between revisions
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'''Elektra Records''' was a [[record label]] started in [[1950 in music|1950]] by [[Jac Holzman]] and [[Paul Rickholt]], who both invested $300. The usual spelling of the [[Greek mythology|Greek mythological]] heroine [[Electra]] was changed, with Holzman famously explaining, “I gave her the ‘K’ that I lacked.” |
'''Elektra Records''' was a [[record label]] started in [[1950 in music|1950]] by [[Jac Holzman]] and [[Paul Rickholt]], who both invested $300. The usual spelling of the [[Greek mythology|Greek mythological]] heroine [[Electra]] was changed, with Holzman famously explaining, “I gave her the ‘K’ that I lacked.” |
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During the Fifties and early Sixties the label concentrated on [[folk music]] recordings, but in the mid-Sixties it branched out into pop, gaining considerable prestige on the music scene by being one of the first labels to sign up leading acts from the new wave of American [[psychedelic rock]] of 1966-67. The label's two most important signings were the Los Angeles bands [[Love (band)|Love]] and [[The Doors]]. |
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| ⚫ | Elektra was acquired by [[Kinney National Company]] in 1970, along with |
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Also in 1967 Elektra launched its influential [[Nonseuch Explorer Series]], one of the first collections of what is now referred to as [[world music]]. Excerpts from several Nonesuch Explorer recordings were later included on the two [[Voyager Golden Disc]]s which were sent into deep space in 1977 aboard the [[Voyager 1]] and [[Voyager 2]] space probes. |
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| ⚫ | Elektra was acquired by [[Kinney National Company]] in 1970, along with the [[Nonesuch Records]] subsidiary, for $10 million. Soon afterwards Kinney consolidated their label holdings under the [[Warner Communications]] umbrella. Holzman remained in charge until 1972, when it merged with [[Asylum Records]] to become Elektra/Asylum Records, with Asylum's founder, [[David Geffen]], now in charge. Holzman went on to start [[Discovery Records]]. |
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In 1975 Geffen stepped down from to start a new label, [[Geffen Records]]. Although the company was technically listed as "Elektra/Asylum Records" on the label credits, as the years went on the company began to unoffically call itself "Elektra Records" again, with Asylum operating as a subsidiary label. [[Bob Krasnow]] became president and CEO of Elektra in 1983, and under his leadership the label continued to thrive. In 1989, the company officially changed its name to "Elektra Entertainment." Krasnow was replaced by [[Sylvia Rhone]], who took over as CEO in 1994 and the company became Elektra Entertainment Group (EEG, for short). |
In 1975 Geffen stepped down from to start a new label, [[Geffen Records]]. Although the company was technically listed as "Elektra/Asylum Records" on the label credits, as the years went on the company began to unoffically call itself "Elektra Records" again, with Asylum operating as a subsidiary label. [[Bob Krasnow]] became president and CEO of Elektra in 1983, and under his leadership the label continued to thrive. In 1989, the company officially changed its name to "Elektra Entertainment." Krasnow was replaced by [[Sylvia Rhone]], who took over as CEO in 1994 and the company became Elektra Entertainment Group (EEG, for short). |
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Revision as of 10:52, 23 January 2006
Elektra Records was a record label started in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickholt, who both invested $300. The usual spelling of the Greek mythological heroine Electra was changed, with Holzman famously explaining, “I gave her the ‘K’ that I lacked.”
During the Fifties and early Sixties the label concentrated on folk music recordings, but in the mid-Sixties it branched out into pop, gaining considerable prestige on the music scene by being one of the first labels to sign up leading acts from the new wave of American psychedelic rock of 1966-67. The label's two most important signings were the Los Angeles bands Love and The Doors.
Also in 1967 Elektra launched its influential Nonseuch Explorer Series, one of the first collections of what is now referred to as world music. Excerpts from several Nonesuch Explorer recordings were later included on the two Voyager Golden Discs which were sent into deep space in 1977 aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes.
Elektra was acquired by Kinney National Company in 1970, along with the Nonesuch Records subsidiary, for $10 million. Soon afterwards Kinney consolidated their label holdings under the Warner Communications umbrella. Holzman remained in charge until 1972, when it merged with Asylum Records to become Elektra/Asylum Records, with Asylum's founder, David Geffen, now in charge. Holzman went on to start Discovery Records.
In 1975 Geffen stepped down from to start a new label, Geffen Records. Although the company was technically listed as "Elektra/Asylum Records" on the label credits, as the years went on the company began to unoffically call itself "Elektra Records" again, with Asylum operating as a subsidiary label. Bob Krasnow became president and CEO of Elektra in 1983, and under his leadership the label continued to thrive. In 1989, the company officially changed its name to "Elektra Entertainment." Krasnow was replaced by Sylvia Rhone, who took over as CEO in 1994 and the company became Elektra Entertainment Group (EEG, for short).
As the 1990s drew to a close, in spite of having a large staple of noted acts, the company began to noticably underperform on the charts. It developed a bit of a sullen reputation in the industry for not properly promoting many of its releases and was easily lagging behind its sister labels: Warner Brothers Records and Atlantic Records.
In February 2004, Warner Music Group was sold by Time Warner to a group of private investors made up of Thomas Lee Partners, Bain & Company, and Edgar Bronfman Jr. (who assumed CEO duties). By April, the new owners of WMG closed the doors at Elektra, laying off much of the staff. Many artists were dropped outright, while some continued their deals with other labels under the WMG umbrella (Warner Brothers Records and Atlantic Records). Although Elektra still technically exists under the umbrella of its former sister Atlantic Records, it no longer functions as an actual record label as it had prior to the re-org of 2004.
A full history of Elektra's Holzman years can be found in Jac Holzman's book Follow the Music: The Life and High Times of Elektra Records in the Great Years of American Pop Culture.
Elektra's acts have included The Doors, Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Phish, Carly Simon, Anita Baker, Tamia, Keith Sweat, Silk, Missy Elliot, Jason Mraz, Dream Theater, Metallica, The Stooges, Mötley Crüe, Yolanda Adams, Lisa Fischer.