Difference between revisions of "DiscReet Records"
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When [[MGM Records]] neglected to exercise a contract option in 1968, FZ founded [[Bizarre Productions]] with manager [[Herb Cohen]]. This company mutated into [[Bizarre Records]] (with distribution taken care of by [[Warner Bros.]]' [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] label) by October 1968. "Sister" label [[Straight Records]] was formed by FZ in the spring of 1969 to release material by slightly off-center artists, but these artists were not nearly as extreme as those on [[Bizarre Records|Bizarre]] (hence, the name "Straight" versus "Bizarre"). After [[Straight Records|Straight]] finished its independent run with [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] and [[Warner Bros.]]-distributed stints, the [[DiscReet Records|DiscReet]] label was created in 1973. | When [[MGM Records]] neglected to exercise a contract option in 1968, FZ founded [[Bizarre Productions]] with manager [[Herb Cohen]]. This company mutated into [[Bizarre Records]] (with distribution taken care of by [[Warner Bros.]]' [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] label) by October 1968. "Sister" label [[Straight Records]] was formed by FZ in the spring of 1969 to release material by slightly off-center artists, but these artists were not nearly as extreme as those on [[Bizarre Records|Bizarre]] (hence, the name "Straight" versus "Bizarre"). After [[Straight Records|Straight]] finished its independent run with [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] and [[Warner Bros.]]-distributed stints, the [[DiscReet Records|DiscReet]] label was created in 1973. | ||
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| + | With [[DiscReet Records|DiscReet]], FZ had his first taste of success in the singles market, with his own "[[Don't Eat The Yellow Snow]]" (#86 peak position) and [[Kathy Dalton]]'s "Boogie Bands And One Night Stands" (a #72 chart record). [[DiscReet Records|DiscReet]] existed until FZ filed a lawsuit against [[Warner Bros.]], its distributor and parent company. FZ then sought out [[Capitol Records]] for distribution assistance, but these plans fell through. Finally, [[Mercury Records]] stepped in, so FZ then created [[Zappa Records]] in 1977. When the "[[Läther]]" album slated for release by Zappa/Mercury on October 31, 1977 was blocked by [[Warner Bros.]], FZ had to wait until 1979 before he could release his own product on the [[Zappa Records]] label. | ||
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| + | After a short relationship with [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], FZ erected [[Barking Pumpkin Records]] in 1981. This time, distribution was handled by [[CBS]] (1981-1983), and then [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] (1984-1987). With a fully independent record label in [[Barking Pumpkin Records]], FZ was now in full control. Concurrent with [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]] releases and unauthorized UK [[EMI Records|EMI]] CDs, FZ signed a CD agreement with [[Rykodisc]] (and [[Zappa Records]] outside of the US and Canada) at the end of 1984 to release his material. In return, [[Rykodisc]] gave FZ full control over all aspects of each release. Outside the US and Canada, the [[Zappa Records]] CDs originating from [[Barking Pumpkin Records]] have been distributed by the [[Music For Nations]] label. | ||
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| + | By the summer of 1993, US distribution for [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]] releases moved over to [[Rhino Records]]. With Gail Zappa's sale of the FZ catalog to [[Rykodisc]] in early 1995, [[Rykodisc]] controlled all the existing recordings plus all the non-classical unreleased masters worldwide. | ||
[[Category:Supporting Cast]] | [[Category:Supporting Cast]] | ||
[[Category:Record Companies]] | [[Category:Record Companies]] | ||
Revision as of 13:50, 6 May 2005
When MGM Records neglected to exercise a contract option in 1968, FZ founded Bizarre Productions with manager Herb Cohen. This company mutated into Bizarre Records (with distribution taken care of by Warner Bros.' Reprise label) by October 1968. "Sister" label Straight Records was formed by FZ in the spring of 1969 to release material by slightly off-center artists, but these artists were not nearly as extreme as those on Bizarre (hence, the name "Straight" versus "Bizarre"). After Straight finished its independent run with Reprise and Warner Bros.-distributed stints, the DiscReet label was created in 1973.
With DiscReet, FZ had his first taste of success in the singles market, with his own "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" (#86 peak position) and Kathy Dalton's "Boogie Bands And One Night Stands" (a #72 chart record). DiscReet existed until FZ filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros., its distributor and parent company. FZ then sought out Capitol Records for distribution assistance, but these plans fell through. Finally, Mercury Records stepped in, so FZ then created Zappa Records in 1977. When the "Läther" album slated for release by Zappa/Mercury on October 31, 1977 was blocked by Warner Bros., FZ had to wait until 1979 before he could release his own product on the Zappa Records label.
After a short relationship with Mercury, FZ erected Barking Pumpkin Records in 1981. This time, distribution was handled by CBS (1981-1983), and then Capitol (1984-1987). With a fully independent record label in Barking Pumpkin Records, FZ was now in full control. Concurrent with Barking Pumpkin releases and unauthorized UK EMI CDs, FZ signed a CD agreement with Rykodisc (and Zappa Records outside of the US and Canada) at the end of 1984 to release his material. In return, Rykodisc gave FZ full control over all aspects of each release. Outside the US and Canada, the Zappa Records CDs originating from Barking Pumpkin Records have been distributed by the Music For Nations label.
By the summer of 1993, US distribution for Barking Pumpkin releases moved over to Rhino Records. With Gail Zappa's sale of the FZ catalog to Rykodisc in early 1995, Rykodisc controlled all the existing recordings plus all the non-classical unreleased masters worldwide.
