The History of EMI

EMI

• Formed in 1931
• To begin with, they employed 20 000 people
• The head office was in Manchester Square
• They owned 3 record labels: Columbia, HMV, and Parlaphone
• 1962 - The Beatles signed to EMI and released 8 singles and 4 studio albums in the first 2 years
• 1967 - Pink Floyd, a psychedelic band were signed
• Norman Smith let Pink Floyd record at Abbey Road
• 1967 - The Beatles stopped touring and were recorded but without a restrictive time limit
• EMI  records were formed in 1972
• A & R were formed and recruited T Rex etc.
• EMI scientists developed the first cat scanner
• Early 70s - developed a cinema chain and TV show
• 1975 - Make Me Smile by Cockney Rebel went to number 1
• 50 Million people watched Top Of The Pops at its peak 
• 1975 - Queen released Bohemian Rhapsody 
• Mid 70s - society was suffering financially 
• Sex Pistols were signed to EMI in October 1976
• Sex pistols appeared on Today with Bill Grundy 
• Sex Pistols were sacked from EMI and moved to Virgin
• Signed Kate Bush who was the first female artist with a self written song
• 1979 - world went into recession 
• Signed Duran Duran in 1981
• Girls on film - extravagant music video from Duran Duran