Rykodisc
| Rykodisc | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Warner Music Group (formerly independent) |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Arthur Mann, Rob Simonds, Barry Buck, Don Rose |
| Distributing label | Alternative Distribution Alliance (U.S.) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Salem, Massachusetts |
| Official website | Warner Music Group |
Rykodisc is an American record label founded in 1983 by Arthur Mann, Rob Simonds, Barry Buck, and Don Rose in Salem, Massachusetts. It was notable for being the first CD-only record label, pioneering the commercial compact disc era at a time when the format was still emerging.
History
[change | change source]Rykodisc was established during the early 1980s with the goal of producing and distributing music exclusively on compact disc, a revolutionary concept at the time. The label’s name is derived from the Japanese word ryko, meaning “sound from a flash of light,” a reference to the optical nature of the CD format.
During its early years, Rykodisc licensed a large catalog of classic and contemporary recordings, including releases by artists such as Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, and Nick Drake. The label gained a reputation for high-quality reissues and attention to audio fidelity.
In the 1990s, Rykodisc expanded into vinyl and cassette releases and acquired several independent labels, including Restless Records and Hannibal Records. The company also launched its own distribution arm, Ryko Distribution, to handle its growing catalog.
In 1998, Rykodisc was acquired by Palm Pictures, and later, in 2006, the label was purchased by Warner Music Group. Following the acquisition, Rykodisc was merged with Warner’s other catalog labels, though the brand continued to appear on reissues and select new projects.
Notable artists
[change | change source]Artists who have released music under Rykodisc include:
Legacy
[change | change source]Rykodisc is widely regarded as a pioneer in the independent music industry and an early adopter of digital formats. Its catalog became a benchmark for reissue quality, and many of its CD releases are considered collector’s items due to their detailed liner notes and remastering efforts.
Even after its absorption into Warner Music Group, the Rykodisc name continues to hold historical significance in the evolution of the modern record industry.