A&M Records Timeline and Milestones

A&M Records was founded in 1962 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, with a focus on jazz and classical music.

The label's first major success came with the release of Herb Alpert's album "The Lonely Bull" in 1962.

In the late 1960s, A&M Records began to expand its roster to include rock and pop acts, such as The Carpenters and Cat Stevens.

The Carpenters' album "Close to You" was released in 1970 and became a huge commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide.

A&M Records continued to grow throughout the 1970s, releasing albums by artists such as Joe Cocker, Sergio Mendes, and Burt Bacharach.

The label's success continued into the 1980s, with the release of albums by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Janet Jackson.

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A&M Records was founded in 1962 and was known for its classy image with a family feel. The label was worth about $1 billion after the sale of its music publishing houses.

A&M's early success can be attributed to its first single, "Love Is Back in Style" by Charlie Robinson, which was released in 1962. However, the single did not sell well.

The label's interest in quality pressings started with "The Lonely Bull", which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Album chart in 1962. The single also peaked at #6 on the Israel chart in March 1962.

A&M's original record manufacturer was Monarch Records, which remained one of the label's manufacturers until 1979. The label's focus on quality was evident in its insistence on vinyl for its mono album, "The Lonely Bull."

Here are some key milestones in A&M's early years:

A&M Records continued to release albums and soundtracks throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including the soundtracks for "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "The Three Musketeers." The label also released music by artists such as Sheryl Crow, Monster Magnet, and Gin Blossoms.

A&M Records was founded in 1962 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. They started with a small operation in Los Angeles.

The label's first major success came with the release of Herb Alpert's album "The Lonely Bull" in 1962, which reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts.

A&M Records quickly established itself as a major force in the music industry, signing acts like Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 and Burt Bacharach.

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A&M was bought by PolyGram for $500 million in 1989, marking a significant shift in the label's ownership.

Alpert and Moss continued to manage A&M until 1993, overseeing the label's operations during a crucial period of change.

In 1991, A&M launched Perspective Records as a joint venture with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, a move that expanded the label's reach and creative scope.

This partnership allowed Jam and Lewis to take on a more prominent role in the music industry, but they eventually stepped down as CEOs of Perspective Records in 1997.

The label was eventually absorbed into A&M in 1999, marking the end of Perspective Records as a separate imprint.

A&M also began distributing its PolyGram sister label Polydor Records in the US during the mid-1990s, further solidifying its presence in the market.

Alpert and Moss sued PolyGram in 1998 for breach of the integrity clause, leading to a settlement of an additional $200 million payment.

In 1964, A&M released five albums and grossed about $500,000.

Two of the Tijuana Brass singles and one Baja Marimba Band album appeared on the Billboard charts.

The Lonely Bull album sold 125,000 copies during the year and the Baja Marimba Band single "Comin' In the Back Door" sold over 100,000 copies.

The third Tijuana Brass album South of the Border was released in October.

A&M struck its first international licensing agreement with Festival Records in Australia.

A&M finalized a distribution deal with Pye Records for Great Britain and South Africa.

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The Lonely Bull album was licensed to EMI and The Baja Marimba Band was licensed to Decca internationally.

A&M also had licensing arrangements with Nippon Victor in Japan and Quality Records in Canada.

San Francisco radio station KSFO ran an early contest promoting A&M, called "Why I Would Like Herb Alpert to Write a Song for Me."

The winning contestant was Wincle Lamoyan Coan, who was chosen for his unusual name.

The song was titled "Wincle Lamoyan Coan" and was recorded by the Baja Marimba Band.

In 1967, A&M Records was on a roll, signing notable artists and releasing hit albums.

Ruthann Friedman, the composer of "Windy", made famous by The Association, was re-signed to a long-term contract. Julius Wechter was also re-signed to a long-term contract.

Procol Harum became the first British group signed to A&M Records, marking a significant milestone for the label. The Move was also signed through an American distribution agreement with Regal Zonophone Records.

A&M Records had a strong lineup of albums, including 7 S.R.O.--Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass11 Sounds Like...--Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass18 Whipped Cream & Other Delights--Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass40 Claudine--Claudine Longet which topped the charts.

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass was a dominant force in 1967, with their album "S.R.O." being the most programmed album according to Cash Box's Disk Jokey Poll. Claudine Longet was also recognized as a promising up-and-coming female vocalist, ranking #3 in the same poll.

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In 1967, A&M Records continued to sign talented artists to their roster. Julius Wechter was re-signed to a long-term contract, while Procol Harum became the first British group signed to A&M Records.

The label also signed The Move through an American distribution agreement with Regal Zonophone Records, and established licensing deals with Chris Blackwell (Island Records) and Denny Cordell to distribute their albums in the U.S.

Some notable releases from this time include Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass' albums 7 S.R.O., 11 Sounds Like..., and 18 Whipped Cream & Other Delights. Claudine Longet's album Claudine also made an impact, with Claudine Longet being ranked as the #3 Most Promising Up & Coming Female Vocalist in Cash Box's Disk Jokey Poll.

In 1967, A&M Records continued to sign talented artists to their roster. By July, Alpert and Moss had signed Julius Wechter and Waylon Jennings.

One notable signing was Ruthann Friedman, the composer of the hit song "Windy" made famous by The Association. She was re-signed to a long-term contract in July/August.

In October, Procol Harum became the first British group signed to A&M Records, marking a significant milestone for the label. The Move was also signed through an American distribution agreement with Regal Zonophone Records.

Here are some notable album releases from 1967:

A&M Records was making waves in the music industry, with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass's album "S.R.O." being the most programmed album of the year.

Sting continued to license the A&M name and logo for his future album releases, starting with 2013's The Last Ship.

The Last Ship was a notable release under the A&M name, marking a new era for the label.

In 2021, Sting released The Bridge under the A&M label, further solidifying the label's legacy.

The Bridge was another successful release under the A&M name, showcasing Sting's continued commitment to the label.

A&M Records has undergone significant changes over the years, but Sting's association with the label has remained a constant.

A&M Records had a significant presence in the music industry by 1965, with the label grossing about $6 million in that year. The company's employee roster was still relatively small, but it was growing.

Tommy LiPuma was hired as the label's first artists and repertoire (a&r) manager in July 1965. He played a crucial role in the label's success.

In 1968, the employee roster doubled to 68, and Chuck Wardman was named A&M's first full-time Production Director. The label's success continued to grow, with 15 singles and 18 albums on the Billboard charts by the end of the year.

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In 1963, A&M Records made a significant move by opening its first office at 8255 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.

This marked the beginning of a new era for the record label.

A&M licensed several singles from Jerry Dennon, which helped them gain momentum.

One of these singles, "David's Mood" by Dave Lewis, became a breakout single in Seattle.

In terms of releases, A&M put out two singles in 1963: "Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass" and "George McCurn".

In 1965, A&M Records made a significant impact on the music industry.

The label reported $175,000 in revenue in March and $200,000 in April, setting the stage for a successful year.

A&M signed with Capitol Record Club, anticipating $2 million in business for the year.

Tommy LiPuma was hired as the label's first a&r manager and staff producer in July.

The Alpert and Brass single "Whipped Cream" sold about 150,000 copies.

In September, the Brass played its last concert as an opening act for Johnny Mathis.

We Five's single "You Were on My Mind" became A&M's second top five record on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in October.

The label grossed about $6 million in 1965.

A&M had placed five singles and one album on the Billboard Pop charts by year's end.

Herb Alpert put two albums and three singles on the charts.

We Five's "You Were On My Mind" ranked #10 on Cash Box Top Records of the Year.

The album "Whipped Cream & Other Delights" by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass was the #21 Top Album on Cash Box.

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1968 was a pivotal year for A&M Records. The company's employee roster doubled to 68 in just two years.

Chuck Wardman was named A&M's first full-time Production Director, a significant move that marked a new era for the company. He played a crucial role in shaping the label's sound and direction.

January 1968 saw A&M artists featured on American Airlines flights, a clever marketing move that helped increase the label's visibility.

Harold Childs was hired as the album field coordinator in January, reporting directly to Bob Fead. His expertise helped streamline the album distribution process.

In April, the New York office moved to 1655 Broadway, a strategic move that brought the team closer to the heart of the music industry.

Festival Records of Australia made April A&M Month, a month-long celebration that included radio tie-ins, newspaper and magazine advertisements, retail pamphlets, and posters.

A&M Records was distributed in various countries through different partners, including Polydor in France and Deutsch-Grammophon in Germany.

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Don Graham won the broadcasters' poll for Promotion Man of the Year, a testament to his exceptional business relations with the recording and broadcast industries.

In June, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss received the Men of the Year award from the Conference of Personal Managers, West for their outstanding contributions to the music industry.

On May 11, Billboard reported that A&M was the first label to duplicate, distribute, and market its own 4-track and 8-track tapes.

June 22, 1968, marked a significant milestone for A&M Records as "This Guy's in Love with You" by Herb Alpert reached the top spot on the Billboard charts.

Gil Friesen was promoted to vice president of A&M Enterprises, overseeing television, motion pictures, music publishing, concert promotions, and projects.

Bob Fead was promoted to General Manager, taking over from his post as National Sales Manager. Ed Rosenblatt succeeded Fead as National Sales Manager.

Jack Schnyder was hired as the Director of Merchandising and Advertising, bringing his expertise to the team.

A&M Records sold 15 million records annually by the end of the year, a remarkable achievement that solidified the company's position in the music industry.

The roster had grown to 42 artists by the end of the year, a testament to the company's ability to attract and nurture talent.

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In the 1970s, A&M Records continued to grow and expand its roster of talented artists.

A&M's employee roster doubled in just two years, reaching 68 employees in 1968, and by the end of the year, the roster had grown to 42 artists.

The label's success was marked by its first #1 single, "This Guy's in Love with You" by Herb Alpert, which reached the top spot on June 22, 1968.

A&M's innovative approach to music distribution was recognized when it became the first label to duplicate, distribute, and market its own 4-track and 8-track tapes.

Here are some notable artists signed to A&M Records in the 1970s:

By the end of the year, A&M had sold 15 million records annually, a testament to its growing success and popularity.

A&M Records first entered the UK market through EMI's Stateside Records label, marking the beginning of their international expansion.

In the UK, A&M Records initially sold records under the Pye Records label until 1967, before establishing their own presence in the market.

A&M Records, Ltd. was officially founded in 1970, setting the stage for their continued growth and success.

A&M Records of Canada, Ltd. was also formed in 1970, allowing the label to expand its reach into the Canadian market.

A&M Records of Europe wasn't established until 1977, nearly a decade after the UK and Canadian operations were up and running.

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A&M Records made a huge impact in the music industry within just 10 years of its start, becoming the world's largest independent record company.

In 1979, A&M made a strategic agreement with RCA Records, which later became BMG, to distribute its records in the US, and with CBS Records in many other countries.

This move helped A&M Records expand its reach and continue its success into the 1980s.

In 1998, PolyGram was bought by Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group, which was formed in 1996 as the successor to MCA Music Entertainment Group. This marked a significant shift in the music industry, setting the stage for the eventual merge with Interscope Geffen A&M.

The A&M lot on La Brea Avenue was shut down in January 1999, and its staff placed a black band over the A&M sign above the main entrance, indicating the death of the company. This was a poignant moment in music history.

The company's workforce, including some who had been with A&M for over a decade, were let go, and many of its artists were dropped. However, prominent acts like Sting, Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams, and Chris Cornell remained on the roster.

A&M's catalog albums that didn't fit the current pop music format were transferred to other Universal divisions for management. For example, Verve Records now manages A&M's jazz catalog.

The A&M name continued to be used on albums from artists like Snow Patrol, the Black Eyed Peas, and Keyshia Cole until February 2007, when Interscope Geffen A&M partnered with Octone Records to relaunch the A&M label fully.

A&M's rapid growth was impressive, becoming the world's largest independent record company within just 10 years of starting.

This milestone was achieved in part due to strategic partnerships, such as the agreement with RCA Records in 1979 to distribute its records in the US.

A&M's success continued into the 1980s with a diverse range of acts that included acts like Peter O'Toole's son, Alex, who was a singer.

In many other countries, A&M's records were distributed through a partnership with CBS Records.