Mercury Records rises in U.S. again
Reuters, Apr 12, 2007 12:58 am PDTIsland Def Jam is reviving the
legendary Mercury Records imprint in the United States, eight
years after it was mothballed in the wake of a corporate
merger.
The label continues to operate overseas, serving as the home for many Island Def Jam acts, such as Bon Jovi, Elton John and Lionel Richie.
The resurrected Mercury will be headed in New York by David Massey ,a former executive at Sony Music, where he worked with the likes of Shakira, Oasis, Franz Ferdinand and Travis.
Mercury -- which over the years has served as the U.S. home to such acts as John Mellencamp, Def Leppard, Kiss, Rush, Rod Stewart, Cinderella, Fine Young Cannibals and Tears for Fears -- ceased operating as a frontline label in North America in 1999 in the wake of Seagram Co.'s purchase of Mercury's PolyGram parent. The deal led to the formation of Universal Music Group, which is now controlled by Vivendi Universal.
Mercury was founded in Chicago in 1945, and found success with such acts as Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, the Platters and Louis Armstrong.
Just how many releases come out this year under the Mercury banner remains to be seen, but the number figures to be a handful. Massey said the plan is to build the imprint slowly.
Reuters/Billboard
More Artist News
George Jones: new country music needs a new name
Nov 2, 2009 3:00 pm PST
Country Music Hall of Famer George Jones isn't a big fan of where the genre has moved in recent years. When asked about what he thought about music by today's top country stars, the 78-year-old said while they are good, "they've stolen ou...
George Jones duets album features Richards, Gill
Jun 25, 2008 11:00 am PDT
Country legend George Jones has raided the archives for his next album, "Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets," which features 12 collaborations with the likes of Keith Richards and Dolly Parton. Most of the tracks are lefto...
Country singer Jones getting stolen guitar back
Jun 5, 2008 3:00 am PDT
A guitar stolen from country star George Jones 46 years ago in Texas is being returned to him by a man who says he bought it and tried repeatedly to give it back. The acoustic Martin-000 is being returned to him by Larry Berry of Chandler...
John Anderson shoots again for charts
Apr 8, 2007 11:51 pm PDT
After a 30-year career on the fringe of Music Row, singer/songwriter John Anderson is gearing up for an improbable third run at mainstream success. "Easy Money" (Warner Bros.), his 27th album, counting repackages, comes out May 15. It ma...
George Jones U: school of country music
Jan 17, 2007 5:23 pm PST
Country-music luminary George Jones wants to share his knowledge of the industry as part of a just-launched "country music university" named for him. Dedicated to teaching students how the music industry works and how to break into the b...
Loading...
-
Blues Man
George Jones -
I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair
George Jones -
She Loved A Lot In Her Time
George Jones -
A Good Year For Roses
George Jones
