Rocket Records
Encyclopedia
The Rocket Record Company was a record label
founded by Elton John
, with Bernie Taupin
, Gus Dudgeon
and Steve Brown among others, in 1972
. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man". The label was originally distributed in the UK by Island
and in the US by MCA Records
, both of which Elton John was also signed to.
The first artists signed to the label were Stackridge
, who completed two albums for Rocket after moving from MCA. It also became the home of Cliff Richard
, Neil Sedaka
(whose three most successful U.S. mid-1970s albums were on Rocket), Colin Blunstone
, The Foster Brothers, The Hudson Brothers, Blue
, Kiki Dee
, Judie Tzuke
, The Lambrettas
, Junior Campbell
, Brian & Brenda Russell
(who had an early, rare-to-find disco hit "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do"), and the Dutch band Solution
. John offered Iggy Pop
& The Stooges
to sign to the label, but they declined. After John left his British label, DJM Records
in 1976, his records were also released on Rocket on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the US and Canada, John's residency on his own label was short-lived. After only one album, Blue Moves
, and a couple of singles (including the mega hits "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"), he returned to MCA. This might have been due to MCA dropping Rocket, resulting in the label's move to RCA
distribution. The label was discontinued in the US in the early 1980s, then relaunching in 1995 with John's Made in England album, distributed by Island Records
. 1997's The Big Picture and "Candle in the Wind" were distributed in the US by stepsister A&M Records
.
In the UK, John's records were continuously on Rocket from 1976 onwards. In 1978 the distribution moved to Phonogram Records
, then to Mercury Records
in 1995. By this time, John was the only artist on the label.
Worldwide distribution rights to Elton John's music was consolidated when MCA Records' then-parent Seagram
acquired PolyGram
, the owner of Island, Mercury, and A&M, in 1998. Universal Music Group
, which oversaw Seagram's recording operations, now co-owns the Elton John catalogue with the singer himself, continuing to distribute it worldwide to this day.
In 1999
, when The Rocket Record Company was being distributed by Universal Music's subsidiary Island Def Jam Records, the label was shut down. However, the logo still appeared on all new Elton John releases through 2004's Peachtree Road
. The name was also resurrected in 2006 for the eponymous Platinum Weird
album. It is also the name of John's management team, Rocket Music Entertainment Group.
Record label
In 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,...
founded by Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, with Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
, Gus Dudgeon
Gus Dudgeon
Angus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
and Steve Brown among others, in 1972
1972 in music
-Events:*January 17 – Highway 51 South in Memphis, Tennessee is renamed "Elvis Presley Boulevard"*January 20 – The début of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at The Dome, Brighton, is halted by technical difficulties,...
. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man". The label was originally distributed in the UK by Island
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 in the US by MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
, both of which Elton John was also signed to.
The first artists signed to the label were Stackridge
Stackridge
Stackridge are a British folk, pop and progressive rock group who were at the height of their success during the early 1970s. The band's output is characterized by quirky humour and rhythmic catchy sing-along tunes....
, who completed two albums for Rocket after moving from MCA. It also became the home of Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
, Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
(whose three most successful U.S. mid-1970s albums were on Rocket), Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
, The Foster Brothers, The Hudson Brothers, Blue
Blue (Scottish band)
Blue is a Scottish pop/rock musical band, which was formed in Glasgow in 1973.-Original band members:*Hughie Nicholson — Guitarist / vocalist / keyboardist...
, Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
, Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.-Early life:...
, The Lambrettas
The Lambrettas
The Lambrettas were an English mod revival band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian Lambretta scooter brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes...
, Junior Campbell
Junior Campbell
Junior Campbell is a Scottish composer, songwriter and musician. He was a founding member, lead guitarist, piano player, and singer with the Scottish band Marmalade and co-wrote and produced some of their biggest successes, including "Reflections of My Life", "I See The Rain" and "Rainbow".He...
, Brian & Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have encompassed several different genres, including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult contemporary...
(who had an early, rare-to-find disco hit "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do"), and the Dutch band Solution
Solution (band)
Solution were a Dutch progressive rock band that existed from 1970 to 1983, during which time they released six studio albums and one live album...
. John offered Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
& The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
to sign to the label, but they declined. After John left his British label, DJM Records
DJM Records
DJM Records was the record label set up in the 1970s by British music publisher, Dick James, distributed by Pye Records in the UK and various other companies around the world, including the USA...
in 1976, his records were also released on Rocket on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the US and Canada, John's residency on his own label was short-lived. After only one album, Blue Moves
Blue Moves
Blue Moves is the eleventh studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1976. It was also his second double album , and his first album released by his own Rocket Records Ltd...
, and a couple of singles (including the mega hits "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"), he returned to MCA. This might have been due to MCA dropping Rocket, resulting in the label's move to RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
distribution. The label was discontinued in the US in the early 1980s, then relaunching in 1995 with John's Made in England album, distributed by 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...
. 1997's The Big Picture and "Candle in the Wind" were distributed in the US by stepsister A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
.
In the UK, John's records were continuously on Rocket from 1976 onwards. In 1978 the distribution moved to Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
, then to Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in 1995. By this time, John was the only artist on the label.
Worldwide distribution rights to Elton John's music was consolidated when MCA Records' then-parent Seagram
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
acquired PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, the owner of Island, Mercury, and A&M, in 1998. Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, which oversaw Seagram's recording operations, now co-owns the Elton John catalogue with the singer himself, continuing to distribute it worldwide to this day.
In 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
, when The Rocket Record Company was being distributed by Universal Music's subsidiary Island Def Jam Records, the label was shut down. However, the logo still appeared on all new Elton John releases through 2004's Peachtree Road
Peachtree Road (album)
Peachtree Road is the twenty-eighth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 2004. It was named after Peachtree Road, the northern part of Peachtree Street in Atlanta, where one of the singer's four homes is located. This is the only album during his long career on which...
. The name was also resurrected in 2006 for the eponymous Platinum Weird
Platinum Weird
Platinum Weird is a musical collaboration formed in 2004 between Dave Stewart and Kara DioGuardi. It is also the subject of an elaborate hoax placing the band in 1974, including a half hour mockumentary produced for television network VH1 and a series of bogus World Wide Web fan sites and related...
album. It is also the name of John's management team, Rocket Music Entertainment Group.
Notable artists
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
- Longdancer (Dave StewartDavid A. StewartDavid Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
) - Mike Silver
- Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
/ China - Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
- Kiki DeeKiki DeeKiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
- Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- Neil SedakaNeil SedakaNeil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
- Casablanca
- StackridgeStackridgeStackridge are a British folk, pop and progressive rock group who were at the height of their success during the early 1970s. The band's output is characterized by quirky humour and rhythmic catchy sing-along tunes....
- SolutionSolution (band)Solution were a Dutch progressive rock band that existed from 1970 to 1983, during which time they released six studio albums and one live album...
- Junior CampbellJunior CampbellJunior Campbell is a Scottish composer, songwriter and musician. He was a founding member, lead guitarist, piano player, and singer with the Scottish band Marmalade and co-wrote and produced some of their biggest successes, including "Reflections of My Life", "I See The Rain" and "Rainbow".He...
- Colin BlunstoneColin BlunstoneColin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
- Brian & Brenda RussellBrenda RussellBrenda Russell is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have encompassed several different genres, including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult contemporary...
- BlueBlue (Scottish band)Blue is a Scottish pop/rock musical band, which was formed in Glasgow in 1973.-Original band members:*Hughie Nicholson — Guitarist / vocalist / keyboardist...
- The Foster Brothers
- The Hudson Brothers
- Alan HullAlan HullAlan Hull was an English singer-songwriter and founding member of the Tyneside folk rock band, Lindisfarne.-Career:...
/ Radiator - Judie TzukeJudie TzukeJudie Tzuke is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.-Early life:...
- LuluLulu (singer)Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
- The LambrettasThe LambrettasThe Lambrettas were an English mod revival band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian Lambretta scooter brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes...
- Jo Lemaire & Flouze
- Peter Straker
- Johnny WarmanJohnny WarmanJohnny Warman is an English singer-songwriter best known for his 1981 album Walking Into Mirrors and the hit single "Screaming Jets".-Early life:Warman was born in Bethnal Green, east London...
- DramatisDramatisDramatis were an English synthpop band from the early 1980s. Chris Payne , Russell Bell , Cedric Sharpley , and Denis Haines were all originally members of Gary Numan's backing band. They formed Dramatis following Numan's announced retirement in April 1981.They released six singles and one album...
- Fred WedlockFred WedlockFred Wedlock was a folk singer best known for his UK hit single "The Oldest Swinger In Town". Wedlock performed at many venues in Britain and Europe, presented programmes for West Country TV and acted with the Bristol Old Vic and the Ministry of Entertainment, as well as undertaking after-dinner...
- Randy EdelmanRandy EdelmanRandy Edelman is an American film and TV score composer.-Life and career:Edelman was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, the son of a first-grade teacher and an accountant. He attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before heading to New York where he played...
- Ryan DowneRyan DowneRyan Downe is an American musician and audio engineer. His debut album The Hypocrite was released in 1996 by Elton John's Rocket Records label. Downe opened for The Who and for Iggy Pop during their 1997 tours. Later he and his guitarist Johannes Luley opened Freudenhaus Recording Studio in San...
- Platinum WeirdPlatinum WeirdPlatinum Weird is a musical collaboration formed in 2004 between Dave Stewart and Kara DioGuardi. It is also the subject of an elaborate hoax placing the band in 1974, including a half hour mockumentary produced for television network VH1 and a series of bogus World Wide Web fan sites and related...
- The Moirs