Private Stock Records
An American pop-oriented record label founded by Larry Uttal that operated from 1974 to 1978.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Private Stock Records was an independent American record label established in 1974 by Larry Uttal after his departure from Bell Records. The label operated for a relatively short period, closing in 1978 after Uttal moved to London, but its catalogue included a notable group of pop singles, albums, soundtrack-related releases, compilations, and recordings by established as well as emerging artists. Private Stock concentrated primarily on accessible pop music and became associated with records that achieved substantial radio and chart exposure, including several releases that are now commonly remembered as one-hit wonders. Its best-known successes included David Soul's "Don't Give Up on Us," Starbuck's "Moonlight Feels Right," Austin Roberts's "Rocky," Samantha Sang's "Emotion," Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band's disco-influenced classical adaptation "A Fifth of Beethoven," and Cyndi Grecco's "Making Our Dreams Come True," the theme associated with the television series Laverne & Shirley. The label also released important recordings by Frankie Valli, including "My Eyes Adored You," "Swearin' to God," and "Our Day Will Come." The label's catalogue was broader than its hit singles. Private Stock issued Brownsville Station's self-titled album and 1977 singles including "The Martian Boogie" and "(Lady) Put the Light on Me." It released two Jose Feliciano albums, Sweet Soul Music and Angela, the latter connected with the film Aaron Loves Angela. Tom Paxton's Something in My Life and Rupert Holmes's Pursuit of Happiness were also issued by the label. Cissy Houston released the albums Cissy Houston in 1977 and Think It Over in 1978, while Peter Lemongello recorded an album and several singles for Private Stock after his earlier Love '76 project. The label also briefly handled or issued material that did not fit neatly into its core pop profile, such as a 1976 United States compilation drawn from mid-1960s live performances by Rod Stewart with Steampacket and the Hoochie Coochie Men. Private Stock was also the original label for Blondie's eponymous debut album, released in 1976. Although the album was not a major commercial success at the time, it later became an important part of the band's recorded history. The label issued two late singles by Junior Campbell and, in 1978, released Phil Murray's single "End of My Time" after the collapse of Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat project. Murray subsequently moved to RAK Records. After Private Stock ceased operations, the catalogue continued to circulate through later licensing and ownership arrangements. A Stray Cats compilation appeared in stores in the early 1980s under circumstances associated with a Capitol Records licensee, although its relationship to the original Private Stock company was uncertain. Following Larry Uttal's death in 1993, his son Jai Uttal held rights connected with the catalogue. Those rights were reportedly sold to 43 North Broadway, LLC around 2016. The original label itself remains defunct, but its recordings continue to be of interest to collectors, pop historians, and listeners researching 1970s chart music.
History
Private Stock Records was founded in the United States in 1974 by Larry Uttal, who had previously been associated with Bell Records. Uttal created the label as an independent outlet at a time when pop music was increasingly divided among major-label releases, specialist imprints, and short-lived labels built around individual executives' industry relationships. Private Stock's principal orientation was commercial pop, and its catalogue reflected the radio-driven market of the mid-1970s. The label's most visible contribution came through a sequence of successful singles. David Soul's "Don't Give Up on Us," Starbuck's "Moonlight Feels Right," Austin Roberts's "Rocky," Samantha Sang's "Emotion," Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band's "A Fifth of Beethoven," and Cyndi Grecco's "Making Our Dreams Come True" all became associated with the label. The Grecco recording also served as the theme connected with the television program Laverne & Shirley. Private Stock likewise issued several notable Frankie Valli singles, including "My Eyes Adored You," "Swearin' to God," and "Our Day Will Come." These successes gave the company a profile disproportionate to its short existence and helped associate it with the era's pop and crossover-radio repertoire. Private Stock did not limit itself to standalone hit singles. It released albums by a range of artists, including Tom Paxton's Something in My Life, Rupert Holmes's Pursuit of Happiness, and Brownsville Station's self-titled album. Jose Feliciano released Sweet Soul Music and Angela through the label in 1976 and 1977; Angela was connected with the film Aaron Loves Angela. Gospel and soul singer Cissy Houston released Cissy Houston in 1977 and Think It Over in 1978. Peter Lemongello also released an album and several singles for the label after his earlier Love '76 project, although the latter album was not released by Private Stock and his Private Stock recordings did not chart. The label's catalogue also included projects that expanded beyond its central commercial-pop identity. In 1976 it issued a United States compilation drawn from mid-1960s live performances by Rod Stewart with Steampacket and the Hoochie Coochie Men, covering a period when Stewart was moving between recording affiliations. Private Stock was the original label for Blondie's debut album, released in 1976, even though that record did not initially achieve strong commercial results. The company also released two final singles by Junior Campbell. As the label approached the end of its operating life, it continued to sign or issue material from less established acts. Following the collapse of Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat, singer-songwriter Phil Murray signed with Private Stock in 1978 and released one single, "End of My Time," before moving to Mickie Most's RAK label. Private Stock closed that year when Uttal moved to London. Uttal later returned to New York and died in 1993. The later history of the company is primarily a catalogue-rights story rather than a continuation of label operations. Jai Uttal, Larry Uttal's son, held rights connected to the catalogue after his father's death. Those rights were reportedly sold to 43 North Broadway, LLC around 2016. A Stray Cats compilation appeared in stores in the early 1980s in connection with a Capitol Records licensee, although the available account treats the connection to the original Private Stock company as uncertain. Private Stock Records therefore remains a defunct label whose historical importance rests on its compact but varied 1970s catalogue and its role in releasing several enduring pop records and notable debut or transitional projects.
- 2016
Catalogue rights reportedly transferred
[1]Rights associated with the catalogue were reportedly sold by Jai Uttal to 43 North Broadway, LLC around this time.
- 1978
Label closes
[1]Private Stock ceased operations after Larry Uttal moved to London.
- 1977
Brownsville Station releases label material
[1]Private Stock issued Brownsville Station's self-titled album and singles including The Martian Boogie.
- 1977
Cissy Houston joins the catalogue
[1]Cissy Houston released the album Cissy Houston on Private Stock.
- 1976
Blondie debut released
[1]Private Stock issued Blondie's self-titled debut album, which later became an important early release in the band's catalogue.
- 1976
Rod Stewart compilation issued
[1]The label released a United States compilation drawn from mid-1960s live performances by Rod Stewart with Steampacket and the Hoochie Coochie Men.
- 1976
Jose Feliciano releases Sweet Soul Music
[1]Jose Feliciano released Sweet Soul Music through Private Stock; the album was produced by Jerry Wexler.
- 1975
Tom Paxton album issued
[1]Private Stock released Tom Paxton's album Something in My Life.
- 1974
Label founded
[1]Larry Uttal founded Private Stock Records after leaving Bell Records.
Products and positioning
A short-lived independent pop label focused on commercially accessible singles while also releasing albums, catalogue material, and projects by established performers and developing artists.
Singles · 1974
Commercial pop singles
Private Stock's central output was a run of mid-1970s pop singles, several of which became major radio records or enduring one-hit-wonder favourites. The catalogue included David Soul's "Don't Give Up on Us," Starbuck's "Moonlight Feels Right," Austin Roberts's "Rocky," Samantha Sang's "Emotion," Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band's "A Fifth of Beethoven," and Cyndi Grecco's "Making Our Dreams Come True." The label also issued important Frankie Valli singles such as "My Eyes Adored You," "Swearin' to God," and "Our Day Will Come."
Album · 1976
Blondie
Blondie's self-titled debut album was originally released by Private Stock in 1976. Although it was not a major commercial success at the time, the album later acquired importance as the first full-length release by a band that became a prominent act in rock and new wave history.
Album · 1976
Sweet Soul Music
Jose Feliciano's Sweet Soul Music was released by Private Stock in 1976. The album was produced by Jerry Wexler and represented the label's engagement with established vocal and soul performers alongside its pop singles.
Soundtrack-related album · 1977
Angela
Jose Feliciano's Angela was issued by Private Stock in 1977 and was connected with the film Aaron Loves Angela. It formed part of the label's broader album programme beyond its best-known singles.
Album · 1977
Cissy Houston
Cissy Houston released this album through Private Stock in 1977. Its inclusion in the catalogue illustrates the label's work with gospel and soul vocalists as well as mainstream pop acts.
Album · 1978
Think It Over
Think It Over was Cissy Houston's second Private Stock album, released in 1978 during the label's final operating year.
Single · 1978
End of My Time
Phil Murray released the single End of My Time on Private Stock in 1978 after the demise of Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat project. Murray later moved to Mickie Most's RAK label.
Brand decisions
2016
Transfer catalogue rights to 43 North Broadway, LLCM&ABackground
Following Larry Uttal's death, his son Jai Uttal held rights associated with the Private Stock catalogue.
Action taken
The catalogue rights were reportedly sold to 43 North Broadway, LLC around 2016.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the reported catalogue rights with a new rights holder while the original label remained defunct.
1978
Close the label following Uttal's move to LondonOtherBackground
Private Stock's founder moved to London as the label reached the end of its original operating period.
Action taken
The company ceased operations in 1978.
Aftermath
The label became a catalogue property rather than an active recording company, with later licensing and ownership activity surrounding its recordings.
1974
Launch an independent pop-focused labelStrategyBackground
After leaving Bell Records, Larry Uttal established a new label aimed mainly at pop music and commercially viable singles.
Action taken
Private Stock Records was founded and developed a catalogue combining emerging performers, established singers, albums, and licensed or archival material.
Aftermath
The strategy produced several successful singles and gave the label a recognizable place in 1970s pop history, although the company operated for only four years.
Recent events
- 2016
Private Stock catalogue rights reportedly transfer to 43 North Broadway, LLC[1]
M&A
After Larry Uttal's death, his son Jai Uttal held rights associated with the catalogue. Those rights were reportedly sold to 43 North Broadway, LLC around 2016.
- 1978
Private Stock Records ceases operations[1]
Other
The label closed after Larry Uttal moved to London, ending its original operating period.
- 1977
Private Stock releases Brownsville Station material[1]
Product launch
Private Stock issued Brownsville Station's self-titled album and singles including "The Martian Boogie" and "(Lady) Put the Light on Me."
- 1976
Private Stock releases Blondie's debut album[1]
Product launch
The label issued Blondie's self-titled debut album. The record was not initially a major commercial success but later became an important early release in the band's history.
- 1976
Private Stock issues Rod Stewart live-performance compilation in the United States[1]
Product launch
The label released a United States compilation of mid-1960s live recordings involving Rod Stewart's work with Steampacket and the Hoochie Coochie Men.
- 1974
Private Stock Records begins operations under Larry Uttal[1]
Other
Larry Uttal founded Private Stock Records after leaving Bell Records, establishing an independent label with a primary focus on pop music.
Sources1 sources
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