Constellation Records | |
---|---|
Parent company | Unidisc Music |
Founded | 1981 |
Founder | Dick Griffey |
Defunct | 1987 |
Status | Defunct |
Distributor(s) | Elektra Records (1981 - 1984) MCA Records (1984 - 1987) |
Genre | Soul Post-disco R&B |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Los Angeles, California |
Constellation Records was an American label of SOLAR Records, and then MCA Records.[1]
History
In 1981, Constellation was founded by Dick Griffey, as an attempt to introduce more contemporary acts to Griffey's more traditionally "urban" establishment which was already being distributed through Elektra/Asylum Records.[2][3]
In 1984, Dick Griffey moved the Constellation label over to MCA Records for distribution, deciding to abandon contemporary music and continue the SOLAR tradition. It was a move that finally brought recognition to the label. Among the acts who shifted to the label were veteran Soul Train/SOLAR first lady Carrie Lucas (who eventually married Griffey) and Klymaxx.[4]
In 1987, Constellation was folded into MCA, when the artists (including Klymaxx) were transferred to MCA. Universal Music Group owned all of its post-1984 back catalog. On the other hand, EMI (which acquired SOLAR's back catalog after its closure in 1995) owned all of its pre-1984 back catalog. Unidisc Music currently owns most of SOLAR's (including Constellation) back catalog.
Notable artists
- Jon Gibson
- Klymaxx
- Carrie Lucas
- Bill Wolfer[5][6]
- Collage
References
- ↑ "Black Music Month: Dick Griffey & SOLAR Records". Los Angeles Sentinel. 24 June 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ↑ Green, Paul (September 18, 1982). "SOLAR to Debut Pop Subsidiary". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 37. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 72. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Maultsby, Portia; Burnim, Mellonee (October 26, 2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis. p. 166. ISBN 9781315472089. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Hunt, Darnell; Ramon, Ana-Christina (May 1, 2010). Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities. NYU Press. p. 276. ISBN 9780814773062. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Bill Wolfer | Credits".
- ↑ "Bill Wolfer". 15 May 2007.