RCA Records
History
RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. The label was founded in 1901, making it one of the oldest existing record labels in the world. It was originally known as the Victor Talking Machine Company and was renamed RCA Victor after being acquired by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in 1929. The label's name was shortened to RCA Records in 1968.
RCA Records has been home to numerous notable artists throughout its history, including Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Miley Cyrus. The label has also released a number of influential albums, such as Presley's self-titled debut and Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars".
Early Years (1901-1929)
The Victor Talking Machine Company was founded in 1901 by Eldridge R. Johnson, who had previously co-founded the Consolidated Talking Machine Company. The company's early success was largely due to its development of the gramophone, a device that played flat disc records as opposed to the cylindrical records used by its competitors.
In 1929, the Radio Corporation of America acquired the Victor Talking Machine Company and renamed it RCA Victor. This acquisition marked the beginning of RCA's entry into the music industry, as the company had previously been primarily involved in the manufacturing of radios.
RCA Victor Era (1929-1968)
Under RCA's ownership, the label continued to thrive. It was during this period that RCA Victor signed Elvis Presley, who would go on to become one of the most successful and influential artists in the history of recorded music. Presley's first single for the label, "Heartbreak Hotel", was a number one hit in the United States and established him as a major force in the emerging rock and roll genre.
In addition to Presley, RCA Victor was home to a number of other successful artists during this period, including Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, and Henry Mancini. The label also continued to innovate in the field of recorded music, introducing the first 45 RPM record in 1949 and the first stereo album in 1958.
RCA Records Era (1968-Present)
In 1968, the label's name was shortened to RCA Records. This change was part of a larger rebranding effort by RCA, which also included the introduction of a new logo.
The RCA Records era has been marked by a number of significant developments. In the 1970s, the label signed David Bowie, who released a series of groundbreaking albums that helped to define the glam rock genre. In the 1980s, RCA Records was home to the pop group The Bangles, whose hits "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Manic Monday" topped charts around the world.
In 1986, RCA Records was acquired by Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), a division of the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. BMG operated RCA Records as a separate entity until 2004, when it was merged with Sony Music Entertainment to form Sony BMG Music Entertainment. In 2008, Sony bought out Bertelsmann's share in the joint venture, and RCA Records became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment.
Today, RCA Records continues to be a major player in the music industry, with a roster of artists that includes Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters, and Kings of Leon.