EMI America Records
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA United States record label launched by EMI in 1978 and later consolidated into EMI's North American label structure.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
EMI America Records was a United States record label established by EMI in 1978 as the company's second principal label operation in the American market after Capitol Records. It was created to provide EMI with a dedicated American platform for signing, marketing, and releasing recordings, while relying on Capitol for important operational functions including pressing, distribution, and international liaison. This arrangement allowed EMI America to use existing infrastructure rather than build a completely separate physical and commercial network. The label's roster combined American artists with acts from the United Kingdom and other international markets whose releases required a dedicated United States label identity. Its catalog included pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, R&B, and related genres. Artists associated with the label included David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Stray Cats, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Kajagoogoo, Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk, Queensrÿche, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxette, John Waite, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and many others. The label's North American role was particularly relevant for international artists whose releases were distributed differently in the United States and Canada than in their home territories. EMI America was not an independent corporate group for most of its existence. It functioned within EMI's broader label and distribution system, with its identity and organizational structure changing as EMI reorganized its North American operations. In 1987, EMI America merged with Manhattan Records. The resulting operation became known as EMI Manhattan Records, combining the two labels under a new organizational identity. In 1989, the business was rebranded as EMI USA, and in 1991 it became part of the EMI Records Group North America under the name EMI Records USA. The label was ultimately closed in 1997. Its artists and active label responsibilities were divided principally between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records. This closure reflected the continuing consolidation of major-label operations and the reduced need for multiple overlapping brand identities within the same corporate group. Although EMI America no longer operates as a current label, its historical catalog remains identifiable through original releases, catalog reissues, discographies, and archival metadata. Following the 2012 acquisition of EMI's recorded-music business by Universal Music Group, completed catalog-management responsibilities for EMI's recorded-music assets were transferred to Universal. Since 2013, Universal Music Group has therefore managed the former EMI recorded-music catalog associated with EMI America, subject to the rights and corporate arrangements applicable to individual recordings. EMI America Records is best understood today as a defunct historical label and catalog imprint rather than an active operating company.
History
EMI America Records was launched by EMI in 1978 as its second major label presence in the United States after Capitol Records. The label was intended to strengthen EMI's ability to participate directly in the American market while still using Capitol's established infrastructure for pressing, distribution, and international coordination. In practical terms, EMI America served as a label and marketing identity within the EMI system rather than as a fully independent manufacturing and distribution company. The roster reflected the international character of the major-recording business. EMI America issued or handled United States and, for some acts, Canadian releases by American performers as well as artists originating in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Associated artists included Marty Balin, Blessid Union of Souls, David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Stray Cats, Lenny Burns, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Joe "Bean" Esposito, Robin Gibb, Go West, Corey Hart outside Canada, Murray Head, Kajagoogoo, Limahl, J. Geils, Michael Stanley Band, Naked Eyes, Queensrÿche, Barbara Mandrell, Pet Shop Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cliff Richard, Roxette, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Talk Talk, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, John Waite, and Kim Wilde in the United States and Canada for many of her releases. The catalog consequently covered mainstream pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, and related styles. EMI reorganized its North American label assets several times. In 1987, EMI America merged with Manhattan Records, creating EMI Manhattan Records. Two years later, the operation was renamed EMI USA. In 1991, it entered the EMI Records Group North America structure as EMI Records USA. These changes show that EMI America was part of a broader effort to rationalize label identities and administrative arrangements in the United States rather than a standalone label whose corporate structure remained fixed. The EMI America identity was ultimately discontinued in 1997. Its artists were divided primarily between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records, both of which remained within EMI's wider recorded-music organization. The closure ended EMI America as an active label brand, although releases originally issued under the imprint continued to circulate through physical reissues, digital availability, licensing, and catalog databases. EMI's recorded-music division was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2012, with the transition of catalog-management responsibilities taking effect in the following period. From 2013 onward, Universal managed the former EMI recorded-music assets, including material associated with EMI America, subject to the rights arrangements for particular recordings. The label therefore survives principally as a historical imprint and catalog designation. Its significance lies in its role as EMI's dedicated American platform during a period when major labels commonly used multiple regional and genre-oriented imprints to manage international releases.
- 2013
Catalog management moves to Universal Music Group
[1]Universal Music Group manages the former EMI recorded-music catalog after acquiring EMI's recorded-music division.
- 1997
Label closure
[1]EMI America Records is closed and its artists are allocated mainly to Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
- 1991
Integration into EMI Records Group North America
[1]The operation becomes EMI Records USA within EMI Records Group North America.
- 1989
Rebranding as EMI USA
[1]The EMI Manhattan operation is renamed EMI USA.
- 1987
Merger with Manhattan Records
[1]EMI America merges with Manhattan Records and the combined operation becomes EMI Manhattan Records.
- 1978
EMI America Records is launched
[1]EMI establishes EMI America Records as its second major label operation in the United States after Capitol Records.
Products and positioning
A major-label American imprint designed to give EMI a dedicated United States release and marketing platform, especially for American acts and selected international artists.
Studio albums · 1978
EMI America album releases
The label's central output was the release of full-length albums for artists assigned to its United States roster. These releases covered pop, rock, new wave, adult contemporary, and related mainstream genres, and included both domestic artists and international acts receiving American-market editions.
Singles · 1978
EMI America singles
Singles supported album campaigns and provided the principal format for radio promotion and chart activity. EMI America's singles catalog included releases by artists from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other territories whose North American distribution was handled through EMI's label network.
Catalog recordings
EMI America catalog reissues
After the label closed, recordings originally issued under the EMI America imprint continued to exist as catalog assets. Later availability has included archival editions, reissues, digital releases, and other forms of catalog exploitation managed within successor corporate structures.
Brand decisions
2013
Transfer former EMI catalog management to Universal Music GroupM&ABackground
Universal Music Group acquired EMI's recorded-music division, changing the corporate home of EMI's recorded catalog.
Action taken
Management of recordings associated with the former EMI America catalog moved into Universal Music Group's catalog structure.
Aftermath
The EMI America imprint remained historically visible on original releases and catalog records but no longer represented an active EMI operating label.
1997
Close EMI America Records and redistribute its artistsStrategyBackground
EMI continued to rationalize overlapping label brands and operating structures in the North American market.
Action taken
EMI closed the label and transferred its artists principally to Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
Aftermath
EMI America ceased to operate as an active label, while its previously released recordings remained part of EMI's catalog.
1991
Integrate the label into EMI Records Group North AmericaStrategyBackground
EMI was consolidating the administration of its North American recorded-music businesses.
Action taken
The business joined EMI Records Group North America under the EMI Records USA name.
Aftermath
The EMI America identity became part of a broader regional organization before the label was closed in 1997.
1989
Rebrand the merged operation as EMI USAStrategyBackground
Following the merger with Manhattan Records, EMI continued to revise the identity of its United States label operations.
Action taken
The EMI Manhattan operation was renamed EMI USA.
Aftermath
The operation was subsequently integrated into EMI Records Group North America as EMI Records USA in 1991.
1987
Merge EMI America with Manhattan RecordsM&ABackground
EMI was restructuring its North American label portfolio and combined two of its American label operations.
Action taken
EMI America and Manhattan Records were merged into EMI Manhattan Records.
Aftermath
The merger was followed by further name and organizational changes, including the EMI USA and EMI Records USA identities.
Recent events
- 2013
Universal Music Group assumes management of EMI's recorded-music catalog[1]
M&A · Other
Following Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI's recorded-music division, the former EMI America catalog came under Universal's catalog-management structure.
- 1997
EMI America Records is closed[1]
Other
The EMI America label identity was discontinued, and its artists were allocated primarily to Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
- 1991
EMI Records USA joins EMI Records Group North America[1]
Other
The North American operation was incorporated into EMI Records Group North America under the EMI Records USA name.
- 1989
EMI Manhattan Records is rebranded as EMI USA[1]
Other
The merged North American label operation adopted the EMI USA name as part of EMI's continuing restructuring of its American recorded-music business.
- 1987
EMI America merges with Manhattan Records[1]
M&A
EMI America and Manhattan Records were combined, creating the EMI Manhattan Records operation and beginning a sequence of reorganizations of EMI's United States label businesses.
Sources2 sources
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