DJM Records

DJM Records
Founded 1969
Defunct 1986
Distributor(s) Pye Records
Genre various

DJM Records (also known as Dick James Music) was the British independent record label, set up in the late 1960s by British music publisher Dick James. It was distributed by Pye Records in the UK, and various other companies around the world, including the US.

The first release on the label was by Dave Sealy and entitled "It Takes A Thief", which had been adapted from the theme music from a television series for which a lyric was written. Frank Neilson was A&R manager from 1976 to 1979, before he moved to Polydor Records. Andy Stinton was Promotions Manager for several years before moving to Canada in 1980 to start his own communications company.

Elton John was prominent on DJM,[1] except in the US and Canada where he was signed to MCA Records. He switched in 1976 to his own label, The Rocket Record Company, before later deciding to sue DJM in the 1980s over the rights to his earlier (pre-1976) work.

Other acts on the label in the 1970s included Ireland's Celtic rockers Horslips; John Inman, Mr. Bloe, who included pianist Zack Laurence and harmonica player Harry Pitch; former Fleetwood Mac member Danny Kirwan, who recorded three albums for DJM, Second Chapter (1975), Midnight In San Juan (1976), and Hello There Big Boy! (1979); The Tremeloes, after their departure from CBS/Epic in 1974; singer-turned-actor Dennis Waterman; and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, who had several successful singles and albums in the US.

Roger Hodgson – prior to joining Supertramp – issued a UK single on DJM under the name "Argosy". This record was also released on Congress Records (a division of Kapp Records) in the US.

After Dick James' death in 1986, the DJM catalogue was acquired by PolyGram.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stark, David (4 October 1997). "The Manager". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media: EJ–40. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
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