Casablanca Records
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| Casablanca Records | |
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| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder(s) | Neil Bogart |
| Distributing label | Universal Records (in the US) |
| Genre(s) | Various |
| Country of Origin | US |
| Website | Official site of Casablanca Records |
- This article is about Casablanca, the record label. For other uses please see Casablanca (disambiguation).
Casablanca Records is a record label which was started by Neil Bogart in 1973 after leaving Buddah Records. The label released hits by Donna Summer, KISS, The Four Tops, Cher, Captain & Tennille, Angel, Stephanie Mills, The Sylvers, The Hudson Brothers, The Village People, 707, and Parliament. PolyGram acquired a 50 percent stake in 1977 and later acquired the remaining half for $15 million in 1980. Afterwards the label had hits with Lipps Inc, Cameo, and Irene Cara. The label was shut down in 1984.
In 2004, the name was revived for a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Tommy Mottola. In a Billboard article, Mottola said that he chose the name as an homage to the original label, but that there was no direct connection between the old and new labels. Casablanca is now a part of Universal Motown Records Group.
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[edit] History
In 1973 Neil Bogart formed Casablanca Records with money Warner Brothers put up. Originally the he wanted to call the label Emerald City after the city in The Wizard of Oz, but since Warner owned the rights to the movie Casablanca, it was easier to get the rights to use that name, and much better for promotions (especially since he shared a surname with Humphrey Bogart, a star of the movie). Neil's first big signing was the rock group KISS.
The label became very popular in the disco business. Warner Brothers and Neil would have a tempestuous relationship as Neil wanted more freedom to release records whenever he wanted and not according to a timetable, as was the case of the major labels. Neil and Warner came to an agreement that Neil on a monthly basis would pay back the money Warner had put into the company, which he did. After the split with Warner the Casablanca office were moved to Sunset Boulevard in the former Gold Star Studios where Herb Alpert recorded many of his early albums.
[edit] Rumors
- There are rumors that Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, and Patti LaBelle might sign with the label. [1]
- The label might be shutdown again due to the main acts, Lindsay Lohan and Brie Larson moving to Motown Records (Lindsay) and Universal Music (Brie).
[edit] Releases
- Shall We Dance? Soundtrack - 2004
- Speak - Lindsay Lohan - 2004
- Bride & Prejudice Soundtrack- 2004
- Finally Out Of P.E. - Brie Larson- 2005
- A Little More Personal (Raw) - Lindsay Lohan - 2005
[edit] Current Artists
[edit] Past Artists
- Brie Larson 2004-2006 (Moved to Universal Music)
- Lindsay Lohan 2004-2006 (Moved To Motown Records)
