Telstar Records
Encyclopedia
Telstar Records was a record label
founded in 1982
by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat
, Kaos Theory
and 100% ranges. As well as these brands the company would licence a number of major artist recordings (for example ABBA
and the Four Tops
) to release telemarketed compilations.
In the mid 1990s it diversified its output into the singles market and long-term artist development with the launch of the Multiply Records
and Wildstar Records subsidiaries. Prior to these developments Telstar would normally only release singles that were tele-marketed and associated products like The Chippendales or PJ and Duncan aka
. Acts signed in this period included Conner Reeves
, Sash!
, Phats & Small
and Basement Jaxx
, while Craig David
brought the first ever UK number one single for the label.
Other artists included Victoria Beckham
(a sub-licence deal from 19 Records), Rosie Ribbons
, Skream!
, The Cheeky Girls
and Mis-Teeq
. In the late 1990s, Telstar became closely associated with BMG Records, especially with the Telstar TV compilation arm and The Hits Album releases.
Telstar Records went bankrupt in 2004
, largely due to the company's habit of giving large advances to artists such as Claire Sweeney
, Victoria Beckham
and Rosie Ribbons
who failed to make them any money. In the media much of the blame for the label's failure was placed on their most high profile signing, Victoria Beckham. However as most of Telstar's roster were not directly signed to the label, instead being either sub-licensed or part of number of joint ventures, BMG
(soon to be merged with Sony
) declined in buying the label's assets outright.
launched in 1993
by Colin Lester
, Ian McAndrew and Capital Radio
in a joint venture with Telstar.
(these were listed as part of the Hits Album brand in the Complete Book Of British Charts due to Telstar TV's later involvement with the series, but actually released by Telstar in joint venture status with BMG)
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
founded in 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat
Deep Heat (compilation series)
Telstar Records' range of Deep Heat compilations were one of the first house music collections to be released by a Specialist Marketing firm in the United Kingdom.-Format:...
, Kaos Theory
Kaos Theory
Kaos Theory was a short series of compilation albums by Telstar Records which were compiled from "hardcore rave" records that were not on general release to the public. These tracks were condemned by some as "kiddie rave"...
and 100% ranges. As well as these brands the company would licence a number of major artist recordings (for example ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
and the Four Tops
Four Tops
The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
) to release telemarketed compilations.
In the mid 1990s it diversified its output into the singles market and long-term artist development with the launch of the Multiply Records
Multiply Records
Multiply Records was a subsidiary of Telstar Records, that launched in 1993 and went into liquidation in 2004. Its major signings included Sash! and The Cheeky Girls....
and Wildstar Records subsidiaries. Prior to these developments Telstar would normally only release singles that were tele-marketed and associated products like The Chippendales or PJ and Duncan aka
PJ & Duncan discography
This is a discography of official releases by the pop duo PJ & Duncan, who were later rebranded as Ant & Dec.-Studio albums:*1994 Psyche *1995 Top Katz...
. Acts signed in this period included Conner Reeves
Conner Reeves
Conner Reeves is an English singer-songwriter. He is best known for his 1997 album Earthbound which was released on Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildstar label....
, Sash!
Sash!
SASH! is a German DJ / producer team, fronted by Sascha Lappessen , who works in the recording studio with Ralf Kappmeier and Thomas "Alisson" Lüdke. They have sold over 18 million albums worldwide and earned more than 65 Gold and Platinum awards.-History:Sascha Lappessen, Thomas "Alisson" Lüdke,...
, Phats & Small
Phats & Small
Phats & Small are a dance music duo from the UK. The duo consists of Jason "Phats" Hayward and Russell Small, they are best known for their 1998 hit "Turn Around"-Career:...
and Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
, while Craig David
Craig David
Craig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
brought the first ever UK number one single for the label.
Other artists included Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Caroline Beckham is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman. In the late 1990s, Beckham rose to fame with the all-female pop group Spice Girls and was dubbed Posh Spice by the July 1996 issue of the British pop music magazine Top of the Pops...
(a sub-licence deal from 19 Records), Rosie Ribbons
Rosie Ribbons
Rosemary "Rosie" Ribbons is an Australian-born, UK-raised singer. In the early 1980s, her English father , Ronald, visited Australia...
, Skream!
Skream!
Skream! were a 3-piece boy band, consisting of lead singer/songwriter Matt Damians , keyboardist/songwriter James Gordon and singer/dancer Carl McAleer . They were signed to Telstar Records and were mainly active in 1995 and 1996...
, The Cheeky Girls
The Cheeky Girls
The Cheeky Girls are a pop duo consisting of twin sisters Gabriela and Monica Irimia, from Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania, but based in Britain. After appearing as auditionees in Popstars: The Rivals, they achieved success in the charts with four top ten hits between 2002 and 2004...
and Mis-Teeq
Mis-Teeq
Mis-Teeq are a British R&B girl group, comprising singers Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. Originally a quartet which included Zena McNally, the group was formed in 1999 and released three major studio albums and seven consecutive UK top ten singles, including international hits...
. In the late 1990s, Telstar became closely associated with BMG Records, especially with the Telstar TV compilation arm and The Hits Album releases.
Telstar Records went bankrupt in 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
, largely due to the company's habit of giving large advances to artists such as Claire Sweeney
Claire Sweeney
Claire Jane Sweeney is an English actress, singer and television personality best known for playing the role of Lindsey Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and her appearance on the first series of the Reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother.-Early Life:Sweeney was born in Walton, Liverpool...
, Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Caroline Beckham is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman. In the late 1990s, Beckham rose to fame with the all-female pop group Spice Girls and was dubbed Posh Spice by the July 1996 issue of the British pop music magazine Top of the Pops...
and Rosie Ribbons
Rosie Ribbons
Rosemary "Rosie" Ribbons is an Australian-born, UK-raised singer. In the early 1980s, her English father , Ronald, visited Australia...
who failed to make them any money. In the media much of the blame for the label's failure was placed on their most high profile signing, Victoria Beckham. However as most of Telstar's roster were not directly signed to the label, instead being either sub-licensed or part of number of joint ventures, BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
(soon to be merged with Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
) declined in buying the label's assets outright.
Telstar
- Ant and Dec (also as PJ & DuncanPJ & Duncan discographyThis is a discography of official releases by the pop duo PJ & Duncan, who were later rebranded as Ant & Dec.-Studio albums:*1994 Psyche *1995 Top Katz...
) - Victoria BeckhamVictoria BeckhamVictoria Caroline Beckham is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman. In the late 1990s, Beckham rose to fame with the all-female pop group Spice Girls and was dubbed Posh Spice by the July 1996 issue of the British pop music magazine Top of the Pops...
(from 19) - LadytronLadytronLadytron are an English electronic band formed in 1999 in Liverpool, Merseyside. The group consists of Helen Marnie , Mira Aroyo , Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu .Their sound blends electropop with New Wave and shoegazing elements. Ladytron described their sound as "electronic pop"...
- CrushDonna AirDonna Air is an English television presenter, singer and actress.-Early life:As a former student of Gosforth High School, Donna attended the Drama School at First Act in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, where she was a pupil alongside Jill Halfpenny, Ant & Dec and Dale Meeks.-Television:She became...
(ex-Byker Grove) - E-17East 17East 17 are a pop boy band comprising Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell. Tony Mortimer is the group's frontman and primary songwriter. Formed in Walthamstow, London in 1991, the group have achieved eighteen Top 20 singles and four Top 10 albums, and were one of the UK's most popular boy...
- Monk & CanatellaMonk & CanatellaMonk & Canatella is an indie/breakbeat musical group from Bristol, England, formed by Simon Russell and Jim Johnston in the mid-nineties. Their 1996 album on Cup Of Tea Records, Care in the Community, is a prime example of the trip-hop sound....
- Vinnie JonesVinnie JonesVincent Peter "Vinnie" Jones is an English film actor and retired Welsh footballer.Born in Hertfordshire, England, Jones represented and captained the Welsh national football team, having qualified via a Welsh grandparent. He also previously played for Chelsea and Leeds United. As a member of the...
- Mis-TeeqMis-TeeqMis-Teeq are a British R&B girl group, comprising singers Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. Originally a quartet which included Zena McNally, the group was formed in 1999 and released three major studio albums and seven consecutive UK top ten singles, including international hits...
(from Inferno Cool - recordings owned by Twenty First Artists Ltd) - N-TYCEN-TYCEN-Tyce was a four piece girl group consisting of Ario Obubore, Chantal Kerzner, Donna Stubbs and Michelle Robinson. They were signed to Telstar Records in the late 1990s....
- Project D
- Skream!Skream!Skream! were a 3-piece boy band, consisting of lead singer/songwriter Matt Damians , keyboardist/songwriter James Gordon and singer/dancer Carl McAleer . They were signed to Telstar Records and were mainly active in 1995 and 1996...
(3-piece boy-band) - Antonia Lucas
- HarryDirty Harry (musician)Dirty Harry is a British rock singer, who is now based in Los Angeles, California, United States.-Early life:...
- Maria WillsonMaria WillsonMaria Willson is a British singer who first found fame on Michael Barrymore's My Kind of People with a host of television and radio performances following. In 2003 and 2004, she released two Top 40 hit singles, "Chooza Looza" reaching #29 and "Mr. Alibi" getting to #38 in the UK Singles Chart. She...
- Cheeky Girls
- PoloroidPoloroidPoloroid is a former stage name of Essex-born singer-songwriter Danielle "Dan" Rowe, best known for her 2003 single "So Damn Beautiful". Originally referring to a trio, the name "Poloroid" was adopted by Rowe for her solo material in 2001, following the death of her bandmate Jon Horrocks...
- Specialist Compilation Marketing:
- ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
(compilation with tracks licensed from PolarPolar MusicPolar Music is a Swedish record company founded in 1963 by Stig Anderson and his friend Bengt Bernhag. The first act that it signed was the Hootenanny Singers featuring Björn Ulvaeus. Polar eventually gained prosperity producing Ulvæus' next group, international superstars ABBA...
) - Daniel O'DonnellDaniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell is an Irish singer, television presenter and philanthropist. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US. He is known for his close relationship with his...
- Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
(compilation with various licensing deals) - Maggie Moon
- Jive Bunny and the MastermixersJive Bunny and the MastermixersJive Bunny and the Mastermixers were a 1980s and early 1990s novelty pop music act from Rotherham, Yorkshire, England. The face of the group was Jive Bunny, a cartoon rabbit who appeared in the videos, and also did promotional appearances for them...
- Bonnie TylerBonnie TylerBonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
- HeatwaveHeatwave (band)Heatwave was an international funk/disco musical band featuring Americans Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and Keith Wilder of Dayton, Ohio, Englishman Rod Temperton , Swiss Mario Mantese , Czechoslovak Ernest "Bilbo" Berger , Jamaican Eric Johns and Briton Roy Carter .They were known for their successful...
(Disco remixes) - Bad MannersBad MannersBad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
- Boney M. (compilation with tracks licensed from MCI/BMGBMGBertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
Germany) - Electric Light OrchestraElectric Light OrchestraElectric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
- Roy OrbisonRoy OrbisonRoy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
- ABBA
Multiply
- Sash!Sash!SASH! is a German DJ / producer team, fronted by Sascha Lappessen , who works in the recording studio with Ralf Kappmeier and Thomas "Alisson" Lüdke. They have sold over 18 million albums worldwide and earned more than 65 Gold and Platinum awards.-History:Sascha Lappessen, Thomas "Alisson" Lüdke,...
(licensed from mainland Europe) - Phats And Small
- Basement JaxxBasement JaxxBasement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
(licensed from Atlantic JaxxAtlantic JaxxAtlantic Jaxx is a record company founded and owned by electronica / house music duo Basement Jaxx.- Artists include :* Afrofiesta* Gwyn Jay Allen...
)
Wildstar
Wildstar Records was a record labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
launched in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
by Colin Lester
Colin Lester
Colin Lester is a British artist manager of R&B, Pop and Rock Music acts. He was born on 26 May 1960 in Hampstead, London, England.Lester has managed the careers for numerous commercially successful British and international artists...
, Ian McAndrew and Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
in a joint venture with Telstar.
- AldaAlda-People:*Saint Alda, an Italian mystic*Alan Alda, American actor, best known for his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H*Arlene Alda, photographer, musician, author; wife of Alan Alda*Robert Alda, American actor, father of Alan Alda...
- Conner ReevesConner ReevesConner Reeves is an English singer-songwriter. He is best known for his 1997 album Earthbound which was released on Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildstar label....
- Craig DavidCraig DavidCraig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
- Lutricia McNealLutricia McNealLutricia McNeal is an American R&B/pop singer. She achieved worldwide success with her singles "Ain't That Just the Way" which sold two million copies worldwide, "Stranded" and "Someone Loves You Honey" .-Biography:McNeal is the seventh of nine children...
XSrhythm
- The Chippendales
- PJ and DuncanPJ & Duncan discographyThis is a discography of official releases by the pop duo PJ & Duncan, who were later rebranded as Ant & Dec.-Studio albums:*1994 Psyche *1995 Top Katz...
aka Ant and Dec
Compilation Brands
- Deep HeatDeep Heat (compilation series)Telstar Records' range of Deep Heat compilations were one of the first house music collections to be released by a Specialist Marketing firm in the United Kingdom.-Format:...
- 100%
- EuphoriaEuphoria (compilations)Euphoria is a series of dance music compilations that debuted on the Telstar Records label in early 1999. During the first year, Euphoria focused primarily on Trance music until mid-2000 when Euphoria release the first Chill-out album in the series and the first Hard House album in late...
(to Ministry of SoundMinistry of SoundMinistry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
) - The Greatest Hits of... (yearly compilation series e.g. The Greatest Hits of 1987)
- Hits 93 / Hits 94
(these were listed as part of the Hits Album brand in the Complete Book Of British Charts due to Telstar TV's later involvement with the series, but actually released by Telstar in joint venture status with BMG)
- Box Hits (to UMTVUMTVUniversal Music TV is a London-based record label that was formed in 1998.Owned by Universal Music Group, UMTV specialises in producing compilation albums and occasional single releases...
) - Megabass
- BRIT AwardsBrit AwardsThe Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
(to Sony BMG) - Kaos TheoryKaos TheoryKaos Theory was a short series of compilation albums by Telstar Records which were compiled from "hardcore rave" records that were not on general release to the public. These tracks were condemned by some as "kiddie rave"...