MGM Records
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studio in 1946. In the early 1950s, MGM Records was considered as one of the "major" record companies (besides Columbia, RCA, Decca, Capitol and Mercury). Subsidiary Cub Records was launched in the early sixties and Verve Records was acquired from Norman Granz in 1961. Other MGM subsidiary labels included: Kama Sutra (from 1965 until Buddah Records bought the label in 1970), Ava, Heritage, Metro (for budget albums), Hickory, MGM South, L&R, and Lionel.
MGM also acquired Cameo-Parkway Records for a very brief time in 1967. This distribution arm released four albums before Allen Klein bought the Cameo-Parkway catalog and renamed the label ABKCO
Among the many artists who had success on the label included Joni James, Connie Francis, Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Cowsills, Herman's Hermits, Sam the Sham, Hank Williams, Tony Blackburn, The Osmonds, and Petula Clark.
MGM Records was sold to PolyGram in 1972 and discontinued in 1975. In 1976 the remaining MGM artists were moved to the Polydor Records roster.
Mention should be made of a short lived Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Records of 1928; it produced recordings of music featured in MGM movies, not sold to the general public but made to be played in movie theater lobbies. These Metro-Goldwyn Mayer records were manufactured under contract with the studio by Columbia Records.
