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| Caroline | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Richard Branson |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | Virgin Music Group,Universal Music Group,Capitol Music Group |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom, United States |
| Location | New York City, U.S. |
Caroline Records is a record label that was founded in 1973. Founded in the United Kingdom to showcase Britishprogressive rock groups, the label ceased releasing titles in 1976 and then re-emerged in the United States in 1986. The label released the work of Americanpunk rock,thrash metal andnew wave music bands.[1] Caroline had a number ofsubsidiary labels, includingAstralwerks,Gyroscope, Caroline Blue Plate,Beat the World, Scamp andPassenger. In 2013, the brand was relaunched byUniversal Music via theCapitol Music Group.[2]
The original Caroline record label started as a subsidiary ofRichard Branson'sVirgin Records from 1973 to 1976. It specialized in inexpensive LPs byprogressive rock andjazz artists that lacked commercial appeal. Caroline Records rarely mentioned a connection with Virgin, and someUK and European Virgin albums that were distributed internationally (instead of being manufactured in each country) named Caroline as their American distributor.[citation needed]
The first release wasOutside the Dream Syndicate byTony Conrad andFaust in 1973. The logo was a photographic-style variation of Virgin's "Twins" logo, designed byRoger Dean.
In 1983, the Caroline name was reused by Virgin in the US as the importerCaroline Distribution. Caroline Distribution founded the current Caroline Records in 1986. Some Caroline Records CDs issued in the US, bore the label name Caroline Blue Plate, especially Virgin UK originally-issued progressive rock records. Caroline Records was merged into Virgin Records after Virgin was acquired byThorn EMI.[3] Caroline Distribution was separated and became part of EMI Music Distribution.[citation needed] In 2013, the brand was revived by Universal Music Group under Capitol Music Group.
Caroline France was created in 2014 by Thomas Lorain following a call from Caroline who wanted a subsidiary in France.[4]
Caroline France renamed itself Virgin Records France in 2021 following the launch ofVirgin Music Label & Artist Services.[citation needed]
Primo Scree was animprint of Caroline Records created by Ned Hayden of theAction Swingers, who had previously been a sales rep at Caroline.[5][6] Its releases included the Action Swingers' single "Fear of a Fucked Up Planet", as well asGumball's debut albumSpecial Kiss andMonster Magnet's debut albumSpine of God.[7][8]
