Ariola

Ariola is a German record label whose history is closely connected with the development of Bertelsmann's recorded-music business and the consolidation of the international music industry. It was founded in 1958 as Ariola Eurodisc GmbH, initially operating as a music outlet of Bertelsmann. The label became one of the most important German components of Bertelsmann's music activities and later traded under several related names, including Ariola Records, Ariola Express, Ariola-Eurodisc and BMG Ariola. During the 1960s, Ariola expanded its position in Germany partly through acquisitions made by its parent company. It also developed an international network of subsidiaries and affiliated labels. Ariola Benelux was established in 1970 for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, while Ariola Eurodisc S.A. served the Spanish market from the same year. Ariola UK followed in 1977, and Ariola America was established in Los Angeles in 1975. Other specialist or territory-focused operations included Ariola-Athena for spoken-word recordings, Türküola for Turkish-market releases, Eurodisc for classical repertoire in Europe, Arabella for French disco releases, and Jupiter Records for German Schlager and disco music. Ariola America achieved notable commercial success in the United States during the second half of the 1970s. Mary MacGregor's recording of “Torn Between Two Lovers” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, and Amii Stewart's version of “Knock on Wood” reached the same position in 1979. The American roster also included Gene Cotton, The Three Degrees, Chanson and the Canadian group Prism. When the label's mainstream pop performance weakened, Ariola America increasingly found opportunities in Spanish-language music, working with performers such as José José and Rocío Dúrcal and, from the 1990s, Marisela. Ariola expanded its corporate footprint in 1979 by acquiring Arista Records and the German label Hansa Records. Its relationship with Arista subsequently changed when 50 percent of Arista was sold to RCA Records in 1983. A joint venture followed, but after RCA's record business passed to General Electric, RCA's interest was sold back to Ariola. These transactions reflected the rapid restructuring of the global record business and Bertelsmann's effort to build a broad international music operation. The brand also extended beyond conventional recorded music. Between 1979 and 1980, Ariola operated Ocean Records as a sister label, and during the 1980s it maintained Ariolasoft, a software-development division. By the late 1980s, Ariola was a subsidiary label of Bertelsmann Music Group, commonly known as BMG. Following the later integration of BMG's recorded-music interests into Sony Music Entertainment, Ariola became part of Sony Music Group. The label remains active in Germany under the Sony corporate umbrella, although its historical international subsidiaries and associated labels have not all continued as separate operations.

Ariola began in 1958 as Ariola Eurodisc GmbH, a music outlet created within Bertelsmann's expanding media and publishing empire. Its early role was principally domestic, but the label benefited from Bertelsmann's acquisitions and investment in recorded music. By the middle of the 1960s, Ariola had become a significant competitor in the German record market. Rather than remaining a narrowly focused imprint, it developed a portfolio approach encompassing different genres, territories and release formats. Internationalization was central to this strategy. Ariola created or operated subsidiaries for several European markets, including Ariola Benelux, founded in 1970, and Ariola Eurodisc S.A. in Spain, also established in 1970. Ariola UK was founded in 1977. The company also formed Ariola America in Los Angeles in 1975, giving the brand a direct platform in the United States. Specialist operations included Ariola-Athena for spoken-word records, Türküola for Turkish-market repertoire, Eurodisc for classical releases, Arabella for French disco and Jupiter Records for German Schlager and disco artists. Ariola America produced its most visible American pop successes during the late 1970s. Mary MacGregor's “Torn Between Two Lovers” became a Billboard number-one single in 1976, followed by Amii Stewart's recording of “Knock on Wood” in 1979. The label's wider American roster included Gene Cotton, The Three Degrees, Chanson and Prism. As its mainstream pop momentum declined, Ariola America developed a stronger Spanish-language orientation. Its later repertoire included José José, Rocío Dúrcal and, from the 1990s, Marisela, illustrating the label's ability to adapt its market focus. Corporate expansion accelerated in 1979, when Ariola acquired Arista Records and Hansa Records. The Arista investment was subsequently reorganized: Ariola sold half of Arista to RCA Records in 1983, and the companies entered a joint venture. When RCA's record operations were acquired by General Electric, RCA's stake in that arrangement was sold back to Ariola. These changes occurred during a period when large media groups were assembling international music networks and reorganizing ownership of labels, catalogs and distribution businesses. The Ariola name was also used for activities outside the conventional pop-label structure. Ocean Records operated as a sister label from 1979 to 1980, while Ariolasoft functioned as a software-development division during the 1980s. By the end of that decade, Ariola was operating within Bertelsmann Music Group, the music division that gave the label the additional identity BMG Ariola. BMG's recorded-music business was later combined with Sony Music Entertainment. As a result, Ariola moved into Sony Music Group's corporate structure. The brand remains active in Germany, while the numerous historical subsidiaries and affiliated labels represent different stages of its former international network.

• 1983

  Ariola sells half of Arista to RCA

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola sells a 50 percent interest in Arista Records to RCA Records and enters a joint venture with RCA.

• 1979

  Arista and Hansa acquisitions

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola acquires Arista Records and Hansa Records, broadening its label portfolio in the United States and Germany.

• 1979

  Amii Stewart achieves a Billboard number one

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola America releases Amii Stewart's “Knock on Wood,” which reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 1977

  Ariola UK is founded

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola establishes a United Kingdom subsidiary as part of its international expansion.

• 1976

  First Ariola America Billboard Hot 100 number one

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Mary MacGregor's “Torn Between Two Lovers” reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 1975

  Ariola America is established

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola creates its American subsidiary in Los Angeles.

• 1970

  European subsidiary expansion

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Ariola Benelux and Ariola Eurodisc S.A. are established to serve the Benelux and Spanish markets.

• 1958

  Ariola Eurodisc GmbH is founded

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  Bertelsmann establishes Ariola Eurodisc GmbH as a music outlet, creating the foundation for the Ariola record-label brand.

• Ariola joins Bertelsmann Music Group

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  By the late 1980s, Ariola is operating as a subsidiary label of Bertelsmann Music Group and is also known as BMG Ariola.

• Ariola enters Sony Music Group

  [1]Ariolaen.wikipedia.org

  After BMG's recorded-music interests are integrated into Sony Music Entertainment, Ariola becomes a Sony Music Group unit.

Ariola has historically been positioned as a broad-based German record label with international distribution, a diversified repertoire and strong links to Bertelsmann's global music operations. Its catalog has covered mainstream pop, German Schlager, disco, classical music, spoken word and Spanish-language recordings.

• Mainstream recorded-music label · 1958

  Ariola Records

  The core Ariola imprint released recorded music associated with Bertelsmann's German and international label operations. Its repertoire covered commercial pop and other broadly marketed genres, while related subsidiaries handled specific territories and musical categories.

• United States record label · 1975

  Ariola America

  Ariola's Los Angeles-based American subsidiary operated from 1975 and pursued both English-language pop and later Spanish-language repertoire. Its catalog included successful releases by Mary MacGregor and Amii Stewart, as well as recordings by José José, Rocío Dúrcal and Marisela.

• European record label · 1958

  Ariola Eurodisc

  Ariola Eurodisc was the original corporate and label identity established by Bertelsmann in 1958. The name became associated with Ariola's European recorded-music operations and later appeared in the label's broader Ariola-Eurodisc identity.

• Record label imprint

  Ariola Express

  Ariola Express was one of the names used within the Ariola label family. The available reference material identifies it as an Ariola identity but does not provide enough detail to specify its complete repertoire or current operating structure.

• Bertelsmann Music Group label identity

  BMG Ariola

  BMG Ariola was the identity associated with Ariola after the label became part of Bertelsmann Music Group. It represented the label's place within BMG's consolidated recorded-music business before the relevant operations moved into Sony Music's structure.

• 1983

  Sale of a 50 percent Arista interest to RCA RecordsM&A

  Background

  After acquiring Arista, Ariola reorganized its ownership arrangement with a major American music company.

  Action taken

  Ariola sold 50 percent of Arista Records to RCA Records and formed a joint venture.

  Aftermath

  RCA's participation later returned to Ariola after RCA's record division was acquired by General Electric and its stake in the venture was sold back.

  Source

• 1979

  Acquisition of Arista Records and Hansa RecordsM&A

  Background

  Ariola pursued international scale and catalog expansion during a period of consolidation in the recorded-music industry.

  Action taken

  Ariola acquired Arista Records in the United States and Hansa Records in Germany.

  Aftermath

  The acquisitions broadened Ariola's label portfolio. Ariola later sold half of Arista to RCA Records in 1983 and entered a joint venture with RCA; RCA's interest was subsequently returned to Ariola after General Electric acquired RCA's record business.

  Source

• Transition from Bertelsmann Music Group to Sony MusicStrategy

  Background

  The restructuring of the international recorded-music industry led to the transfer of BMG's recorded-music operations into Sony Music Entertainment.

  Action taken

  Ariola became part of Sony Music Group while continuing its German label presence.

  Aftermath

  Ariola remains active in Germany under Sony's corporate umbrella, although its former subsidiaries and affiliated labels do not all continue as independent operations.

  Source

1. 1Ariolaen.wikipedia.org