Carrere Records
French record label
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Carrère, also known as Disques Carrère or Carrere Records, was a French record label founded and developed by producer Claude Carrère. The company began with Carrère’s work in French popular music and later became one of the country’s most internationally successful independent labels. Its catalogue covered French chanson and pop, Euro disco, dance music, rock and heavy metal, with releases distributed through different local partners and subsidiaries. Carrère’s origins date to Claude Carrère’s collaboration with singer Annie Chancel in 1962. Carrère helped develop her career and renamed her Sheila. For a period, Sheila was his principal artist. Carrère established Carrère Productions, initially using Philips Records for distribution, and created Disques Carrère in the late 1960s. From 1972, the company produced and distributed its own releases. The label expanded its roster beyond Sheila, signing or releasing material by artists including Ringo, Dalida and Claude François. Sheila and B. Devotion, formed in 1977, became particularly important to Carrère’s move into disco and overseas markets. The label’s international development accelerated after the success of La Belle Époque’s recording of “Black Is Black,” which reached number two on the United Kingdom Singles Chart after release through EMI. Claude Carrère then entered the British market and appointed Freddie Cannon, formerly associated with EMI Records UK, to lead Carrère UK. The British operation opened at Hansa Records’ UK offices in June 1978. Its first release was Clout’s “Substitute,” which also reached number two in the United Kingdom. Carrère UK subsequently signed and developed acts in pop, rock and emerging heavy metal, including the Incredible Kidda Band, Saxon, The Church, Rose Tattoo and Dokken. The British operation broadened Carrère’s catalogue beyond continental disco. Saxon’s debut album followed the label’s decision to use the name Saxon rather than the group’s original name, and the band remained associated with Carrère until 1984. Other notable British or international releases included The Buggles’ Adventures in Modern Recording, Debbie Bonham’s For You and the Moon, and recordings by artists such as Dollar, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Luv’, Ottawan, Boney M. and FR David. Carrère also worked across national offices: in 1984, Freddie Cannon, Claude Carrère and Luigi Arduino of Carrère Italy secured worldwide distribution rights for Italian singer Raf’s “Self Control.” The label reached a significant United Kingdom commercial peak in 1985 with Phyllis Nelson’s “Move Closer,” which became a number-one single and is described as Carrère’s best-selling UK single. The same period included Nana Mouskouri’s “Only You,” which reached number two in the UK, and a Stars Only release by Gloria Gaynor. Carrère’s catalogue also produced a United States number-one Adult Contemporary hit with “Friends and Lovers,” performed by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson. Carrère UK closed in June 1988, ten years after its launch, when Freddie Cannon departed. Claude Carrère subsequently loaned his music company to Warner Music France. Carrère itself closed in 1993, and the company was sold to Warner Music Group in the early 1990s. The Carrère family retained rights to the label’s catalogues. Claude Carrère died on April 10, 2014. Although the original label is defunct, its recordings continue to circulate through catalogue licensing, compilations and reissues.
History
Claude Carrère entered the French music business through his collaboration with Annie Chancel in 1962. He renamed her Sheila and helped establish her as a major recording artist. Carrère created Carrère Productions, with Philips Records initially handling distribution, and later founded Disques Carrère in the late 1960s. Beginning in 1972, the company produced and distributed its own recordings. The early catalogue expanded around Sheila and included releases connected with Ringo, Dalida and Claude François. Carrère moved decisively toward disco and international pop in the 1970s. Sheila and B. Devotion was created in 1977, and the label began exporting its releases. A major catalyst for international expansion was La Belle Époque's “Black Is Black,” whose UK release through EMI reached number two. Carrère responded by establishing Carrère UK in 1978, appointing Freddie Cannon as managing director. Cannon opened the operation at Hansa Records UK in June of that year. Clout's “Substitute,” the first Carrère UK release, also reached number two in Britain. Carrère UK developed a broad rock and pop roster. Cannon and A&R manager Peter Hinton signed the Incredible Kidda Band and then the British heavy metal group Saxon. The group released its debut album in 1980 and remained with Carrère until 1984. The British label later signed The Church, Rose Tattoo and Don Dokken, as well as issuing releases by The Buggles and Debbie Bonham. Carrère's international catalogue also included Dollar, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Luv', Boney M., Ottawan and FR David. The label operated through international relationships, including Carrère Italy, where Luigi Arduino worked with Cannon and Claude Carrère on the worldwide distribution of Raf's “Self Control” in 1984. The label's strongest British commercial result came in 1985, when Phyllis Nelson's “Move Closer” reached number one. Carrère also released Nana Mouskouri's “Only You,” a number-two UK hit, and issued Gloria Gaynor material through the Stars Only sub-label. The catalogue extended into the United States, where Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson's “Friends and Lovers” reached number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. Carrère UK ended in June 1988 when Cannon left the company. Claude Carrère later loaned his music company to Warner Music France. Carrère closed in 1993, following a sale to Warner Music Group in the early 1990s. The Carrère family retained rights to its catalogues. Claude Carrère died on April 10, 2014. The original label is no longer active, but its recordings remain available through reissues, compilations and catalogue licensing.
- 1993
Carrère closes
[1]The record label ceased operations; catalogue rights remained with the Carrère family after the Warner transaction.
- 1988
Carrère UK closes
[1]Carrère's British operation closed after Freddie Cannon departed in June.
- 1985
“Move Closer” reaches number one in the UK
[1]Phyllis Nelson's “Move Closer” became Carrère's biggest-selling UK single and topped the British chart.
- 1980
Saxon's debut album is released
[1]Carrère issued the debut album by Saxon, a band it had signed and renamed during its UK development.
- 1978
Carrère UK opens
[1]Freddie Cannon established Carrère's UK operation, whose first release was Clout's “Substitute.”
- 1977
Sheila and B. Devotion is formed
[1]The disco group Sheila and B. Devotion was created, supporting Carrère's international export strategy.
- 1962
Claude Carrère begins working with Annie Chancel
[1]Carrère began working with Annie Chancel, renamed her Sheila and developed her as a recording artist.
Products and positioning
A French independent record label that combined domestic pop and chanson with Euro disco, dance and international rock, using local offices, distribution partnerships and export-oriented licensing to build a cross-border catalogue.
Euro disco and pop recordings · 1977
Sheila and B. Devotion catalogue
Carrère's Sheila and B. Devotion releases represented the label's transition from French pop into internationally oriented disco. The group helped establish Carrère's export profile during the late 1970s and became one of the label's central artist projects.
Rock and heavy metal recordings · 1978
Carrère UK rock catalogue
The UK operation signed and developed artists including Saxon, The Church, Rose Tattoo, Dokken, the Incredible Kidda Band and Debbie Bonham. This roster gave Carrère a stronger presence in guitar music and helped connect the French label with English-speaking markets.
Single · 1985
“Move Closer”
Phyllis Nelson's 1985 single “Move Closer” was Carrère's biggest-selling UK single. It reached number one in Britain and later appeared on hundreds of compilations internationally.
International singles and albums
International pop and dance catalogue
Carrère released or distributed successful recordings by artists such as Clout, Dollar, Luv', Ottawan, Boney M., FR David, Nana Mouskouri, Gloria Gaynor and Raf. The catalogue was built through local offices, licensing arrangements and distribution partnerships.
Brand decisions
1993
Transfer the label into Warner's orbitM&ABackground
Carrère's independent operations were winding down after the company had been loaned to Warner Music France.
Action taken
The label closed, following its sale to Warner Music Group in the early 1990s.
Aftermath
The Carrère family retained rights to the catalogues, while the original label ceased operating.
1988
Close Carrère UKStrategyBackground
After a decade of operation, Freddie Cannon departed Carrère UK in June 1988.
Action taken
Carrère closed its UK operation after Cannon's departure.
Aftermath
Cannon moved to PWL Records, while Carrère later loaned its music company to Warner Music France.
1979
Develop a rock and heavy metal rosterStrategyBackground
Carrère UK sought to broaden the label beyond disco and continental pop.
Action taken
The UK team signed acts including the Incredible Kidda Band and Saxon, using the name Saxon for the latter.
Aftermath
The label gained a durable association with British heavy metal and international rock, with Saxon remaining with Carrère until 1984.
1978
Enter the British record marketStrategyBackground
The UK success of La Belle Époque's “Black Is Black” demonstrated the potential for Carrère releases outside France.
Action taken
Claude Carrère appointed Freddie Cannon to lead Carrère UK and opened offices at Hansa Records UK.
Aftermath
The British operation delivered an immediate chart success with Clout's “Substitute” and expanded the label's pop and rock roster.
Recent events
- 1993
Carrère closes and catalogue ownership changes[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
Carrère closed in 1993 after its music company had been loaned to Warner Music France; the label had been sold to Warner Music Group in the early 1990s, while the Carrère family retained catalogue rights.
- 1988
Carrère UK closes[1]
Leadership change
Freddie Cannon left Carrère UK in June 1988, and the British operation was closed after a decade of activity.
- 1985
Phyllis Nelson's “Move Closer” becomes Carrère's biggest UK single[1]
Product launch
Carrère released “Move Closer,” which reached number one in the United Kingdom and became the label's biggest-selling UK single.
- 1979
Saxon signs with Carrère[1]
Product launch
Carrère UK signed the band originally known as Son of a Bitch and promoted it under the name Saxon, leading to the release of its debut album the following year.
- 1978
Carrère UK launches with Clout's “Substitute”[1]
Product launch
Carrère opened a British operation under Freddie Cannon, and its first release, Clout's “Substitute,” reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.
Sources1 sources
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