Chrysalis Music
Encyclopedia
Chrysalis Music is a British
independent music publisher.
The company's roots started in west London
in 1967 when Chris Wright and Terry Ellis
formed the Ellis-Wright Agency. It was formed to manage and book the bands Ten Years After
, and Clouds
. Ten Years After was managed by Wright, while Clouds was managed by Ellis. In 1968, they made a deal with Island Records
and very soon Chrysalis Records
, an amalgam of Wright's first name and Ellis' last name, was founded.
In the early 1970s the label had hits with rock groups such as Jethro Tull
, Ten Years After
, Procol Harum
, etc. Later the label signed up new-wave and punk acts including Generation X
and Blondie
. During the 80's successful bands such as Huey Lewis and the News
also were signed up.
After buying out Terry Ellis in 1985, Chris Wright sold Chrysalis Records
to EMI
in 1991. He retained the music publishing business Chrysalis Music Ltd until 2010, when it was sold to BMG Rights Management
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
independent music publisher.
The company's roots started in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1967 when Chris Wright and Terry Ellis
Terry Ellis (manager)
Terry Ellis is an English record producer and manager best known for his early work with Jethro Tull, and as co-founder of Chrysalis Music in 1969....
formed the Ellis-Wright Agency. It was formed to manage and book the bands Ten Years After
Ten Years After
Ten Years After is an English blues-rock band, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, Ten Years After scored eight Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart...
, and Clouds
Clouds (60s rock band)
Clouds were a 1960s Scottish rock band that disbanded in October 1971. The band consisted of Ian Ellis , Harry Hughes and Billy Ritchie .- Early days: The Premiers :...
. Ten Years After was managed by Wright, while Clouds was managed by Ellis. In 1968, they made a deal with Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
and very soon Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
, an amalgam of Wright's first name and Ellis' last name, was founded.
In the early 1970s the label had hits with rock groups such as Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Ten Years After
Ten Years After
Ten Years After is an English blues-rock band, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, Ten Years After scored eight Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart...
, Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
, etc. Later the label signed up new-wave and punk acts including Generation X
Generation X (band)
Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...
and Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
. During the 80's successful bands such as Huey Lewis and the News
Huey Lewis and the News
Huey Lewis and the News is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California. They had a run of hit singles during the 1980s and early 1990s, eventually scoring a total of 19 top-ten singles across the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Rock charts...
also were signed up.
After buying out Terry Ellis in 1985, Chris Wright sold Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
to EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in 1991. He retained the music publishing business Chrysalis Music Ltd until 2010, when it was sold to BMG Rights Management
BMG Rights Management
BMG Rights Management is a music rights management company and a joint venture between the international media company Bertelsmann and the global private equity firm KKR...
.