Record Label
A&M Records ([[label:74446]]) was started in 1962 by partners [[artist:Herb Alpert]] and [[artist:Jerry Moss]], hence the A&M (Alpert & Moss). Their first release (following two singles released under the label name [[label:Carnival Records (4)]]) was "The Lonely Bull" by [[artist: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. One method of identifying pressings is by a single-letter code printed on the center labels: A = [[label:Sonic Recording Products, Inc.]] (until ca. 1975) or [[label:344965]] (1975-1980s) B = [[label:285745]] C = [[label:264380]] (through 1984) or [[label:473670]] (1985–1986) R = [[label:406973]] W = [[label:442751]] X = [[label:447694]] Y = [[label:403953]] Z = [[label:376197]] 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 [[label:Universal Sigma]] and is independent of Interscope. Some notable events over the years, courtesy of On A&M Records.com: 1967: Started distributing [[label:CTI Records]] in a deal that ran until 1970. 1967: The [[label:A&M Studios]] were installed in Hollywood, California. The label first appeared in the UK, distributed by Pye. 1969: [A&M Records Ltd.](http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Ltd.) opened in Great Britain. 1970: [A&M Records Of Canada Limited](http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Of+Canada+Limited) 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 [[label:CBS]] in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 1979: Started distributing [[label:I.R.S. Records]]. This deal continued until 1985. 1982: Started distributing the folk/new age label [[label:Windham Hill Records]]. This deal continued until 1989. 1987: Started distributing [[label:Twin Tone Records]] (selected titles) and [[label:Nimbus Records]]. 1988: Launched sub-label [Vendetta Records](http://www.discogs.com/label/Vendetta+Records+(2)) in NYC. It was shut down in 1990. 1989: A&M was sold to [[label: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 [[label: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, [[label:Almo Sounds]]. 1995: Three year agreement signed with producer [[artist:Ric Wake]] to form [[label:DV8 Records]]. 1999: PolyGram becomes part of the international [[label:Universal Music Group]]. 1999: A&M is made part of the [[label:Interscope Geffen A&M]] division of Universal. 2004: [[label: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 [[label:Octone]] Records and places Octone's management in charge of combined label as [[label: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 [[artist:Sting]] managed to release his music for Interscope Geffen A&M (now [[label:Interscope Capitol Labels Group]]) post-2013 under the A&M name; his recent release under the defunct imprint was 2021's [[i]The Bridge[/i]](https://www.discogs.com/master/2386273).