RCARCA became a record label in 1929 when the company (Recording Corporation of America) bought the existing Victor company which included a wide range of classical and jazz recordings, Victor phonographs and the famous dog and trumpet logo, which Victor had licenced from HMV in the UK. The Victor name continued to be used as a subsidiary label. During the 1930's RCA headed the big band field with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Late 1940's and early 1950's success with Mario Lanza, Perry Como and many others was coupled with technical developments that included the introduction of the first 45 rpm record system and a commitment to stereo sound production. The company signed Elvis Presley from Sun Records in 1955 ensuring their continuing success through the next decade and half. Other artists signed to the label during this period included Sam Cooke, Jim Reeves, Neil Sedaka, John Denver, Jefferson Airplane and Hall & Oates. Success was maintained through the 1970's but the companies fortunes started to slide during the 1980's. RCA was bought by General Electric in 1985 but quickly sold on the the European Bertelsmann group (BMG). The RCA name continued to be used and the 1990's saw renewed success for the label.All Bruce Hornsby albums were released on RCA. All Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna albums up to 1976 were released on RCA or on the Airplane owned, RCA subsidiary, Grunt.
|