POLYDOR RECORDS

Beginnings

Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used, as an export label, in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone Company having severed their ties during World War I. Deutsche Grammophon claimed the rights to the His Master's Voice trademark for Germany, where HMV recordings were released under the Electrola trademark. In turn, DGG records exported out of Germany were released on the Polydor label. Deutsche Grammophon lost its rights to the His Master's Voice trademark to EMI and its Electrola label as part of Germany's surrender terms at the end of World War II.

Polydor became a popular music label in 1946 while the famously yellow Deutsche Grammophon seal became a classical music label. Polydor remained Deutsche Grammophon's export label, including classical music, in France and the Spanish-speaking world for the remainder of the long-playing era, as a result of language and cultural concerns.


In the early 1960s orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert signed unknowns Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers - who would later become famous as The Beatles - to Polydor.

Popular German entertainers such as James Last, Bert Kaempfert, Kurt Edelhagen, Caterina Valente and the Kessler Twins appeared on the Polydor label, as well as many French, Spanish and Latin-American figures.

Polydor UK
Though Polydor's American branch is defunct, in the United Kingdom, however, Polydor continues to sign chart-topping acts. In 1993, current Universal chairman Lucien Grainge and A&R supremo Colin Barlow were drafted in from Polygram music to turn the ailing company's fortunes around. The response was almost instant. Grainge and Barlow were successful in creating a new model for the UK music industry, selling millions of copies of debut signings by acts such as Lighthouse Family, and Polydor remains one of the strongest imprints in the country — with artists such as The Courteeners, La Roux, Klaxons, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, James Morrison, Take That, Girls Aloud, Kaiser Chiefs, N-Dubz and Jade Ewen. It also acts as the UK label for American-based acts under Interscope-Geffen-A&M like Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Mary J Blige, and Lady GaGa.
In Spring 2006, Polydor launched Fascination Records, a music label dedicated to pop music. Both Girls Aloud and Sophie Ellis-Bextor transferred to the new label.
In 2008, Polydor picked up distribution of The Rolling Stones' back catalogue as well as new releases.