RCA
The Radio Corporation of America or RCA Records is one of the biggest record labels in the United States. It is also considered one of the biggest forces in the music industry, considering its revolutionary success in the field. From humble beginnings, RCA was able to rise into power and was able to form business partnerships with other major record companies. RCA Records today is owned by Sony and continue to sell millions of top- caliber and saleable records annually. Many top selling records from various international artists came from RCA and this trend continues to thrive over time.
RCA is one of the most successful music companies in the history of the United States. It was the first one that released a 45 rpm vinyl records and the 8- track cassette tape. These innovations have made a considerable mark in the music history and became one of the notable milestones of all time. RCA is also one of the trusted record labels in the international scene. Its long background in the industry proved its prowess in delivering top quality records that the whole world will enjoy; while giving chances to new artists to pursue their dreams.
RCA History
The RCA history dates back to the year 1929 when the company bought out Victor Talking Machine Company. Victor was then the biggest American producer of phonograph machines. The company became RCA- Victor and released the very first 33 1/3 rpm records in 1929. However, the sales did not go well because of the Great Depression. In 1949, RCA- Victor released a commercially viable record, the 45 rpm, which immediately became the standard record for pop music singles. Since then, RCA led other revolutionary innovations in the industry including the LP records in the 1950s, addition of computer technology in the 1960s, and the first 8- track tape on the same decade.
In the later years, RCA was able to acquire other brand like the Arista Records in the 1980s. This paved the way to a new venture called RCA- Ariola International. General Electric acquired RCA in 1986 and re- sold its 50% RCA- Ariola share to business partner Bertelsmann AG. Bertelsmann renamed it RCA Records BMG (Bertelsmann Music Group).
RCA Today
BMG merged with Sony and formed Sony BMG in 2004. By 2008, Bertelsmann gave up its share of the company making RCA a sole propriety of the newly founded Sony Music Entertainment. By 2010 RCA was a part of the new RCA/Jive Label Group headed by Barry Weiss. RCA and Jive separated in July 2011.
