Parlophone

Multinational label.
Label Code: LC 0299 / LC 00299
Please note, many Parlophone issues also carry an EMI logo. This is not a label and EMI should not be added as a label, it instead indicates that Parlophone was part of the EMI Group.

Parlophone is an anglicization of the German Parlophon label, registered as a trademark for talking machines in 1902 by Max Straus and Heinrich Zuntz of Salon Kinematograph Co. GmbH, later merged into Carl Lindström A.-G.. The first Parlophon records are pressed in 1910.

By 1923, Parlophone proper appears in London administered by English Lindström branch known as Label #311921, pressed in London and sold domestically. This marks the return of the German conglomerate to the British market since 1915, when their Hertford record plant had been seized and soon acquired by Label #97841, who leased it to Lindström to make Parlophone records. Early on, its catalogue greatly relied on imported recordings originally made for Lindström's own imprints Beka, Parlophon, Odeon (including Argentine tango recordings) and their American partner Okeh alongside a slowly growing repertoire of new British recordings and a small number of pre-war recordings. After World War II, Parlophone issued dozens of Cetra recordings, including new popular hits and classical pieces, some of which were recorded before the war. By 1926 extended operations extended to press for export in Australia (catalogue numbers prefixed A) until the Australian factory Parlophone Co. Ltd. was created somewhere the next year. These companies were subsequently taken over by Label #97841 in 1927, following its acquisition of Label #275192 in 1926, thus becoming a constituent part of Label #293204 (EMI) when that company merged with Label #253617 in 1931.

The label's first A&R was Oscar Carl Preuss, producer and engineer who had previously worked for Carl Lindström A.-G. In 1955, he was succeded by George Martin, who introduced notable comic talent soon after. The label flourished in the 1960s as it pivoted away from classical and novelty issues into vocal pop with singers like Adam Faith and Matt Munro, followed by beat groups The Beatles, The Hollies, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas and singer Cilla Black who turned the label's status around from EMI's "dumping ground" to their dominant pop imprint.
As a result of its subsequent decline and profile, the label was earmarked for phasing out in 1973 in favour of EMI (the label), however the Parlophone imprint continued to be used sporadically by registered trademark owner EMI Records Ltd. and affiliated companies in certain markets and for some reissues. It was brought back in 1980 for most European markets.

In September 2012 following the acquisition of Label #1330982's US and Asian interests by Universal Music Group, Parlophone and the former EMI Records Ltd. were merged as the Label #806790 (PLG Holdco Ltd.) and spun off to be sold.

They were sold to Warner Music Group in March 2013.
The Parlophone label is now owned by Parlophone Records Ltd., the re-named EMI Records Ltd., itself a subsidiary of Warner Music International.

The Beatles were not part of the Parlophone Label Group and their catalogue was acquired by Universal.

This label contains releases on multinational markets. Do NOT create imprints for different countries. Cover that information on new releases with the country field and with notes about the release (releasing company, ℗&© note, mechanical rights etc.).