East West Records is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record labelIn the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, owned by
Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the "big four" record companies. The current incarnation of the company was formed in 2004 when it was spun off by Time Warner, and as a result, Time Warner no longer...
, and operates under WMG's
Independent Label GroupIndependent Label Group is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group. The company was formed in 2006 as an umbrella for various Warner axillary labels, including when East West Records, Rykodisk and Cordless Recordings. Outside of the U.S., the label is distributed by WEA International....
.
Upon its creation in 1955 by
Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm & blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, the label had one hit with
The KingsmenThe Kingsmen are a 1960s garage rock / frat rock band from Portland, Oregon. They are best known for their 1963 recording of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie", which held the #2 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks...
and went into hibernation until 1990, when Atlantic revamped the imprint as
EastWest Records America. Atlantic senior VP
Sylvia RhoneSylvia Rhone began her music career in 1974 with Buddah Records. Advancing to senior VP of Atlantic Records in 1988, she became the first African-American woman to head a major record company in 1990, when she was appointed president/CEO of Atlantic division Eastwest Records.The following year,...
was appointed Chairman/CEO of the fledgling label.
Under Rhone's leadership, EastWest shot to mega success with several multiplatinum acts, such as:
Simply RedSimply Red are a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style draws influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, and jazz.- History :...
,
En VogueEn Vogue is an American female R&B vocal quartet from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.Through August 2008, En Vogue had sold over 20 million albums and singles worldwide...
,
PanteraPantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and "Dimebag" Darrell , then known as Diamond Darrell, in 1981. Bassist Rex Brown then known as Rex Rocker would join in 1982, with vocalist Terry Glaze...
,
Yo-YoYo-Yo is a Grammy-nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protege of gangsta rapper Ice Cube...
,
Das EFXDas EFX is an American hip-hop group. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dre...
,
SnowDarrin O'Brien , is a Canadian reggae musician, best-known by his stage name Snow. He is notable for the 1993 U.S. number-one hit single "Informer."- Life and work :...
,
Gerald LevertGerald Levert was an American R&B singer. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B supergroup comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert...
,
AC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock and are considered pioneers of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as "rock and roll".AC/DC underwent several line-up...
,
Missy ElliottMissy "Misdemeanor" Elliott is an American recording artist, producer and actress. With record sales of over seven million in the United States, she is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum Under Construction.Elliott is known for a...
and
MC LyteLana Michele Moorer , better known by her stage name MC Lyte is rap artist who has scored several Rap and R&B hits. She has released several albums since 1988.-Biography:...
.
East West Records is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record labelIn the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, owned by
Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the "big four" record companies. The current incarnation of the company was formed in 2004 when it was spun off by Time Warner, and as a result, Time Warner no longer...
, and operates under WMG's
Independent Label GroupIndependent Label Group is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group. The company was formed in 2006 as an umbrella for various Warner axillary labels, including when East West Records, Rykodisk and Cordless Recordings. Outside of the U.S., the label is distributed by WEA International....
.
History
Upon its creation in 1955 by
Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm & blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, the label had one hit with
The KingsmenThe Kingsmen are a 1960s garage rock / frat rock band from Portland, Oregon. They are best known for their 1963 recording of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie", which held the #2 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks...
and went into hibernation until 1990, when Atlantic revamped the imprint as
EastWest Records America. Atlantic senior VP
Sylvia RhoneSylvia Rhone began her music career in 1974 with Buddah Records. Advancing to senior VP of Atlantic Records in 1988, she became the first African-American woman to head a major record company in 1990, when she was appointed president/CEO of Atlantic division Eastwest Records.The following year,...
was appointed Chairman/CEO of the fledgling label.
Under Rhone's leadership, EastWest shot to mega success with several multiplatinum acts, such as:
Simply RedSimply Red are a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style draws influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, and jazz.- History :...
,
En VogueEn Vogue is an American female R&B vocal quartet from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.Through August 2008, En Vogue had sold over 20 million albums and singles worldwide...
,
PanteraPantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and "Dimebag" Darrell , then known as Diamond Darrell, in 1981. Bassist Rex Brown then known as Rex Rocker would join in 1982, with vocalist Terry Glaze...
,
Yo-YoYo-Yo is a Grammy-nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protege of gangsta rapper Ice Cube...
,
Das EFXDas EFX is an American hip-hop group. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dre...
,
SnowDarrin O'Brien , is a Canadian reggae musician, best-known by his stage name Snow. He is notable for the 1993 U.S. number-one hit single "Informer."- Life and work :...
,
Gerald LevertGerald Levert was an American R&B singer. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B supergroup comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert...
,
AC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock and are considered pioneers of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as "rock and roll".AC/DC underwent several line-up...
,
Missy ElliottMissy "Misdemeanor" Elliott is an American recording artist, producer and actress. With record sales of over seven million in the United States, she is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum Under Construction.Elliott is known for a...
and
MC LyteLana Michele Moorer , better known by her stage name MC Lyte is rap artist who has scored several Rap and R&B hits. She has released several albums since 1988.-Biography:...
. EastWest also distributed other imprints, such as:
Interscope RecordsInterscope Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, Motor Jams Records, Mecca Don Records and
The Goldmind Inc.The Goldmind, Inc. is an American record label founded by hip hop artist Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. Elliott was once distributed through Elektra Entertainment Group, and more recently by Atlantic Records before starting her own label. The Goldmind, Inc...
In 1991, EastWest merged with its Atlantic sister label
Atco RecordsAtco Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded by Herb Abramson in 1955 as a sub label of Atlantic Records; operating as an outlet for acts that did not fit the format of Atlantic,...
, briefly calling itself “Atco/Eastwest Records.” In 1993, Atco's name was dropped and the company continued to operate under the EastWest name once more. Whilst in the United Kingdom, the brand was applied to many of the WEA artists such as
Simply RedSimply Red are a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style draws influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, and jazz.- History :...
,
Chris ReaChristopher Anton Rea is a singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, England, recognisable for his distinctive, raspy voice. Rea has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.- Early career :...
and
The BelovedThe Beloved are a British electronic dance music group.-Jon Marsh's original advertisement in the music press:In 1983, Jon Marsh placed an advertisement in the music press, which read as follows:I am Jon Marsh, founder member of the Beloved...
.
In
1994
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 29 - The Supremes' Mary Wilson is injured when her Jeep hits a freeway median and flips over just outside of Los Angeles, California, USA...
, Rhone was appointed
ChairmanThe chairman is the highest office of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
and CEO of Atlantic's sister label
Elektra RecordsElektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009.-Beginnings:...
. At the time, EastWest (along with most of its roster) also broke away from the Atlantic umbrella to continue to operate under Rhone at Elektra.
By the new millennium, budget cuts at Warner Music Group forced Elektra to deactivate EastWest Records, dropping some of its acts while others were shifted over to Elektra itself. In 2004,
Time WarnerTime Warner Inc. is the world's largest entertainment conglomerate , as well as the world's fourth largest media conglomerate, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City...
sold Warner Music Group to private investors. Subsequently, more budget cuts were made, this time resulting in Elektra Records to be absorbed into Atlantic.
In
2005-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996....
, WMG reactived the East West imprint as an in-house "
indieIn popular music, independent music, often generally abbreviated as "indie", is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
" rock label, which primarily markets and distributes other rock music-based labels. East West today operates under Warner's
Independent Label GroupIndependent Label Group is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group. The company was formed in 2006 as an umbrella for various Warner axillary labels, including when East West Records, Rykodisk and Cordless Recordings. Outside of the U.S., the label is distributed by WEA International....
.
Past artists
- 1 Of The Girls
1 of the Girls was a Cleveland-based R&B group discovered by Gerald Levert. The group's self-titled album was released in 1993, and featured the single "Do Da What", which only achieved moderate success.-Singles:...
- Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman is a British crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She sings in many languages including English, Spanish, French, Latin, German, Italian, Russian, Hindi, and Mandarin....
- Stina Nordenstam
Stina Nordenstam born March 4, 1969 in Stockholm, Sweden is an experimental pop singer, songwriter and musician.-Career:...
- 8-Off
Agallah , born Angel Aguilar, is a Puerto Rican and Filipino-American rapper who was a member of the The Diplomats-affiliated group Purple City and the group Propain campaign. He was formerly known as 8-Off Agallah, but changed the name because it was controversial; 8-Off is a variation of the name...
- AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock and are considered pioneers of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as "rock and roll".AC/DC underwent several line-up...
(except Oceania)
- Baton Rouge
- Blazin' Squad
Blazin' Squad is a UK pop-rap vocal band. Heavily influenced by the UK garage scene, they enjoyed significant success in the UK, achieving six consecutive top ten hits, including a UK number-one single, "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original...
- Britny Fox
Britny Fox is an American glam metal band from the Philadelphia area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming in 2001. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their hit "Long Way to Love" ....
- Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom is an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in the 1980s. Its principal members are guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis. The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer, who is the...
- Cancer
Cancer was a British death / thrash metal band formed in Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire in 1988. Over the course of their career they released five full-length albums, including one for the major label East West, breaking up in 2006.-Biography:...
- Clutch
Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland, formed in 1990. The band's first release was an EP entitled Pitchfork, which debuted in October 1990. Their first studio album, Transnational Speedway League, was released three years later in 1993.-History:Clutch formed in 1990 and built a...
- Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob was a West Coast hip hop group associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers J-Dee, Shorty, T-Bone and Maulkie.-History:The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted Produced...
- Das EFX
Das EFX is an American hip-hop group. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dre...
- Dawn of the Replicants
Dawn of the Replicants are an Indie rock quintet from Galashiels described by Allmusic as "one of the most inventive groups in the United Kingdom...
- Dream Theater
Dream Theater are an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Myung, John Petrucci, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, before they dropped out to support the band...
- For Love Not Lisa
For Love Not Lisa is an American hard rock band formed in the early 1990s in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, signed first to Elektra Records then to Tooth and Nail Records.Their first album, Merge, was released in 1993. They also contributed to the soundtrack to the 1994 thriller The Crow...
- Fight Fair
Fight Fair is a pop-punk band from San Diego, California, signed to Triple Crown Records. Their latest released entitled Settle The Score was released on November 18, 2008...
- Missy Elliott
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott is an American recording artist, producer and actress. With record sales of over seven million in the United States, she is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum Under Construction.Elliott is known for a...
- Muse
Muse are a multi award-winning British alternative rock band that formed in Teignmouth, Devon in 1994. Since its inception, the band has comprised vocalist, guitarist and pianist Matthew Bellamy; bassist and backing vocalist Christopher Wolstenholme; and drummer Dominic Howard...
- En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal quartet from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.Through August 2008, En Vogue had sold over 20 million albums and singles worldwide...
- Happyhead
- Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert was an American R&B singer. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B supergroup comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert...
- KIX
KIX may refer to:*Kansai International Airport*KIX See also Kix....
- MC Lyte
Lana Michele Moorer , better known by her stage name MC Lyte is rap artist who has scored several Rap and R&B hits. She has released several albums since 1988.-Biography:...
- Mista
Mista was an American R&B group in the mid-1990's from Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:Formed and managed by "09 Lives" producer Eric Johnston and former Elektra Entertainment Group A&R director Ian Burke, Mista burst into the music scene in 1996 with their hit "Blackberry Molasses." The group quickly...
- Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail is an English actor and singer.He has starred in numerous roles on television since 1983. He is 6'3" tall and is an avid Newcastle United supporter...
- Ol'dirty bastard
- Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and "Dimebag" Darrell , then known as Diamond Darrell, in 1981. Bassist Rex Brown then known as Rex Rocker would join in 1982, with vocalist Terry Glaze...
- Sa-Deuce
- Sick of it all
Sick of It All is a New York hardcore band formed by brothers Lou Koller and Pete Koller , Armand Majidi and Rich Cipriano in 1986.-Early career :...
- Simply Red
Simply Red are a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style draws influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, and jazz.- History :...
- Snow
Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by external pressure. Snowflakes...
- Supernatural
Supernatural is a rapper known for his skills in freestyling. Hailing from Indiana, "Supernat" moved to NYC. Through the years, he became regarded as a legend in the realm of freestyle emcee battles.- Biography :...
- Tad
The name Tad can refer to:* A tad: A small amount, or a bit or piece of something.* Tad , a Seattle band* A masculine human given name* Tadcaster, a town in the United Kingdom.* Former UK scuba divers' slang for "tadpole"...
- Terror Fabulous
- The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy are an English rock band that formed in 1980. After achieving early underground fame in UK, the band had their commercial breakthrough in mid-1980s and sustained it until the early 1990s, when they stopped releasing new recorded output as a strike against their record company...
- Tori Amos
Tori Amos is a pianist and singer-songwriter of American citizenship. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
(Europe)
- The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are a rock group originally formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music, often described in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica{cn}...
- Yo-Yo
The yo-yo is a toy consisting of two equally sized but not specifically equally weighted pieces of plastic, wood, or metal, connected with an axle, with a string looped around the axle...
External links