EMI Records

EMI Records is a British label that is one of the world's largest record companies.

Formed in the early 1930's from the merger of the Columbia Graphophone Company and The Gramophone Company, Ltd., EMI mostly distributed recordings from US companies RCA Victor and CBS/Columbia. When those two licensing agreements expired, EMI purchased Capitol Records in the US.

Over the course of FZ's career, EMI has served in various capacities:

1960's -- EMI in England is original distributor for FZ's Verve LP's -- Capitol Records commissions "Lumpy Gravy" but is thwarted by MGM

1970's -- Few, if any, FZ/EMI connections

1980's - Present

-- 1983-1987: EMI becomes worldwide distributor for FZ's post-Warner catalogue, issuing new releases as well as reissuing older titles (i.e. "Joe's Garage", "Tinseltown Rebellion", etc.). EMI also first company to issue FZ CD's in Europe.

-- 1984-1993: Capitol distributes Barking Pumpkin in the US, but limited to vinyl and cassette releases. Rhino takes over US distribution but is itself also distributed by Capitol until WEA buyout in 1994..

-- 2004: EMI/Virgin issues "Does Humor Belong In Music" on DVD worldwide.