EMI America Records

EMI America Records was a United States record label established by EMI in 1978 as the company's second principal label operation in the American market after Capitol Records. It was created to provide EMI with a dedicated American platform for signing, marketing, and releasing recordings, while relying on Capitol for important operational functions including pressing, distribution, and international liaison. This arrangement allowed EMI America to use existing infrastructure rather than build a completely separate physical and commercial network. The label's roster combined American artists with acts from the United Kingdom and other international markets whose releases required a dedicated United States label identity. Its catalog included pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, R&B, and related genres. Artists associated with the label included David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Stray Cats, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Kajagoogoo, Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk, Queensrÿche, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxette, John Waite, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and many others. The label's North American role was particularly relevant for international artists whose releases were distributed differently in the United States and Canada than in their home territories. EMI America was not an independent corporate group for most of its existence. It functioned within EMI's broader label and distribution system, with its identity and organizational structure changing as EMI reorganized its North American operations. In 1987, EMI America merged with Manhattan Records. The resulting operation became known as EMI Manhattan Records, combining the two labels under a new organizational identity. In 1989, the business was rebranded as EMI USA, and in 1991 it became part of the EMI Records Group North America under the name EMI Records USA. The label was ultimately closed in 1997. Its artists and active label responsibilities were divided principally between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records. This closure reflected the continuing consolidation of major-label operations and the reduced need for multiple overlapping brand identities within the same corporate group. Although EMI America no longer operates as a current label, its historical catalog remains identifiable through original releases, catalog reissues, discographies, and archival metadata. Following the 2012 acquisition of EMI's recorded-music business by Universal Music Group, completed catalog-management responsibilities for EMI's recorded-music assets were transferred to Universal. Since 2013, Universal Music Group has therefore managed the former EMI recorded-music catalog associated with EMI America, subject to the rights and corporate arrangements applicable to individual recordings. EMI America Records is best understood today as a defunct historical label and catalog imprint rather than an active operating company.

EMI America Records was launched by EMI in 1978 as its second major label presence in the United States after Capitol Records. The label was intended to strengthen EMI's ability to participate directly in the American market while still using Capitol's established infrastructure for pressing, distribution, and international coordination. In practical terms, EMI America served as a label and marketing identity within the EMI system rather than as a fully independent manufacturing and distribution company. The roster reflected the international character of the major-recording business. EMI America issued or handled United States and, for some acts, Canadian releases by American performers as well as artists originating in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Associated artists included Marty Balin, Blessid Union of Souls, David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Stray Cats, Lenny Burns, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Joe "Bean" Esposito, Robin Gibb, Go West, Corey Hart outside Canada, Murray Head, Kajagoogoo, Limahl, J. Geils, Michael Stanley Band, Naked Eyes, Queensrÿche, Barbara Mandrell, Pet Shop Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cliff Richard, Roxette, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Talk Talk, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, John Waite, and Kim Wilde in the United States and Canada for many of her releases. The catalog consequently covered mainstream pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, and related styles. EMI reorganized its North American label assets several times. In 1987, EMI America merged with Manhattan Records, creating EMI Manhattan Records. Two years later, the operation was renamed EMI USA. In 1991, it entered the EMI Records Group North America structure as EMI Records USA. These changes show that EMI America was part of a broader effort to rationalize label identities and administrative arrangements in the United States rather than a standalone label whose corporate structure remained fixed. The EMI America identity was ultimately discontinued in 1997. Its artists were divided primarily between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records, both of which remained within EMI's wider recorded-music organization. The closure ended EMI America as an active label brand, although releases originally issued under the imprint continued to circulate through physical reissues, digital availability, licensing, and catalog databases. EMI's recorded-music division was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2012, with the transition of catalog-management responsibilities taking effect in the following period. From 2013 onward, Universal managed the former EMI recorded-music assets, including material associated with EMI America, subject to the rights arrangements for particular recordings. The label therefore survives principally as a historical imprint and catalog designation. Its significance lies in its role as EMI's dedicated American platform during a period when major labels commonly used multiple regional and genre-oriented imprints to manage international releases.

• 2013

  Catalog management moves to Universal Music Group

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  After Universal Music Group acquires EMI's recorded-music division, the EMI America catalog comes under Universal's management.

• 1997

  Label closure

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI America Records is closed and its artists are allocated mainly to Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.

• 1991

  Integration into EMI Records Group North America

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The operation joins EMI Records Group North America and adopts the name EMI Records USA.

• 1989

  Rebranding as EMI USA

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The EMI Manhattan operation is renamed EMI USA.

• 1987

  Merger with Manhattan Records

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI America merges with Manhattan Records and the combined operation becomes EMI Manhattan Records.

• 1978

  EMI America Records is launched

  [1]EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI establishes EMI America Records as its second major label operation in the United States after Capitol Records, using Capitol for pressing, distribution, and international liaison.

A major-label American imprint designed to give EMI a dedicated United States release and marketing platform, especially for American acts and selected international artists. A United States EMI label imprint created to expand the parent company's American recorded-music presence beyond Capitol Records, with a roster spanning mainstream pop, rock, new wave, alternative, country, and international artists. A major-label American imprint designed to give EMI a dedicated United States release and marketing platform, especially for American acts and selected international artists, with a roster spanning mainstream pop, rock, new wave, alternative, country, and international artists.

• Studio albums · 1978

  EMI America album releases

  The label's central output was the release of full-length albums for artists assigned to its United States roster. These releases covered pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, and related mainstream genres, and included both domestic artists and international acts receiving American-market editions.

• Singles · 1978

  EMI America singles

  Singles supported album campaigns and provided the principal format for radio promotion and chart activity. EMI America's singles catalog included releases by artists from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other territories whose North American distribution was handled through EMI's label network.

• Catalog recordings · 1978

  EMI America catalog reissues

  After the label closed, recordings originally issued under the EMI America imprint continued to exist as catalog assets. Later availability has included archival editions, reissues, digital releases, and other forms of catalog exploitation managed within successor corporate structures, with the catalog managed by Universal Music Group from 2013 onward. The label's principal output was a catalog of albums, singles, and other recorded-music releases issued under the EMI America identity. The repertoire covered pop, rock, new wave, alternative, country, adult contemporary, and international artists. Although the imprint was closed in 1997, recordings originally released through it remain subject to later reissue, licensing, and catalog-management activity.

• 2013

  Transfer former EMI catalog management to Universal Music GroupM&A

  Background

  Universal Music Group acquired EMI's recorded-music division, changing the corporate home of EMI's recorded catalog.

  Action taken

  Management of recordings associated with the former EMI America catalog moved into Universal Music Group's catalog structure.

  Aftermath

  The EMI America imprint remained historically visible on original releases and catalog records but no longer represented an active EMI operating label. The historic EMI America repertoire continued under successor-company catalog administration.

  Source

• 1997

  Close EMI America Records and redistribute its artistsStrategy

  Background

  EMI continued to rationalize overlapping label brands and operating structures in the North American market. EMI ended the standalone EMI America label operation after several rounds of organizational consolidation.

  Action taken

  EMI closed the label and transferred its artists principally to Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.

  Aftermath

  EMI America ceased to operate as an active label, while its previously released recordings remained part of EMI's catalog.

  Source

• 1991

  Integrate the operation into EMI Records Group North AmericaStrategy

  Background

  EMI continued consolidating its North American recorded-music operations after the EMI America–Manhattan combination.

  Action taken

  The operation joined EMI Records Group North America and operated as EMI Records USA.

  Aftermath

  The EMI America imprint became part of a regional group structure rather than remaining a separate label operation.

  Source

• 1989

  Rebrand the merged operation as EMI USAStrategy

  Background

  Following the merger with Manhattan Records, EMI continued to revise the identity of its United States label operations.

  Action taken

  The EMI Manhattan operation was renamed EMI USA.

  Aftermath

  The operation was subsequently integrated into EMI Records Group North America as EMI Records USA in 1991.

  Source

• 1987

  Merge EMI America with Manhattan RecordsM&A

  Background

  EMI was restructuring its North American label portfolio and combined two of its American label operations. EMI reorganized its American label activities through a combination of EMI America and Manhattan Records.

  Action taken

  EMI America and Manhattan Records were merged into EMI Manhattan Records.

  Aftermath

  The merger was followed by further name and organizational changes, including the EMI USA and EMI Records USA identities. The original EMI America identity was replaced within the combined label structure, which was later renamed EMI USA.

  Source

• 1978

  Create a second EMI label in the United StatesStrategy

  Background

  EMI sought a distinct United States label operation in addition to Capitol Records.

  Action taken

  The company launched EMI America while retaining Capitol for pressing, distribution, and international liaison functions.

  Aftermath

  EMI America became an active American imprint with a broad domestic and international artist roster.

  Source

1. 1EMI America Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2EMI America Records discographydiscogs.com
3. 3EMI America Records discographydiscogs.com