ABC-Paramount Records / ABC Records

ABC Records was an American record label founded in New York City in 1955. It originated as the main popular music label operated by the Am-Par Record Corporation. Am-Par also created the Impulse! jazz label in 1960. It acquired many labels before ABC was sold to MCA Records in 1979. ABC produced music in a variety of genres: pop, rock, jazz, country, rhythm and blues, soundtrack, gospel, and polka. In addition to producing records, ABC licensed masters from independent record producers, and purchased regionally released records for national distribution.

History

ABC-Paramount Records

American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres formed a records division in 1955 with Samuel H. Clark as its first president. The division was incorporated on June 14, 1955 as Am-Par Record Corporation.

The company started a second label for jazz, Impulse! Records, in 1960. Am-Par Record Corporation was changed to ABC-Paramount Records, Inc. on December 7, 1961.

In 1965, Clark was promoted to vice-president in charge of AB-PT's non-broadcast operations. National sales manager Larry Newton was named ABC-Paramount president.

ABC Records

The label was renamed ABC Records in June 1966. In 1967, Dunhill Records was purchased from Lou Adler. In 1970, ABC and Dunhill moved its headquarters to Los Angeles. Newton was promoted to vice-president in charge of ABC Pictures. Dunhill co-owner Jay Lasker was named president and referred to the combined operations as ABC/Dunhill. At that time ABC had another five labels: Westminster, Command, Probe, Impulse, and Bluesway.

Wikipedia contributors. (2018, July 2). ABC Records. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12:35, July 5, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ABC_Records&oldid=848456737