Fontana Records is a record label that started in the 1950s as a subsidiary of the Dutch Philips Records. Fontana Distribution, an independent label distributor, takes its name from the label.
History
Fontana began in the 1950s as a subsidiary of the Dutch Philips Records; when Philips restructured its music operations, it dropped Fontana in favor of Vertigo Records.
Fontana's U.S. counterpart label was started in 1964 and distributed by Philips US subsidiary Mercury Records. The initial single release (F 1501) was an instrumental track with a wild teen beat by famed British session drummer Bobby Graham, both sides featuring Jimmy Page on guitar. Among the hitmakers were Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders (later on their own simply as The Mindbenders), The Troggs, The New Vaudeville Band, Manfred Mann, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, and Steam.
In 2009 the label released Brooke Hogan's album.
U.S. label variations
- 1964—Pink label
- 1965-1970—Light blue or slightly darker-toned blue label (some of these labels were stamped with an "S")
- 1980s—Black and silver label
See also
- Lists of record labels
References
External links
- Fontana story from BSN Pubs
- A discography of American Fontana albums in the 1960s and early 1970s
- A discography of American Fontana singles in the 1960s and early 1970s
- A discography of UK Fontana singles from 1958 to 1974
- A discography of Australian Fontana singles
