Rak Records

Rak Records is a British record label established in 1969 by record producer Mickie Most. The label became associated with commercially successful British pop, rock and rhythm-and-blues acts, including Herman's Hermits, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Hot Chocolate, Smokie, Arrows, Racey, Kenny and Kim Wilde. Its catalogue also included releases connected with musicians such as Cozy Powell and Steve Harley. Rak's identity was closely tied to Most's production activities and to the RAK Studios complex in St John's Wood, London, which provided an important creative and recording base for the wider RAK business. During its principal period of operation, Rak Records used a licensing and distribution arrangement with EMI Records. In 1983, EMI acquired the label and its master recordings from Most. Most retained the Rak name and continued operating RAK Studios, as well as Rak Publishing, so the acquisition did not eliminate every part of the broader RAK enterprise. The catalogue subsequently became divided among different rights holders. Warner Music Group's 2013 acquisition of Parlophone from EMI included rights to Hot Chocolate and other material associated with the former Rak catalogue. Suzi Quatro's Rak albums are controlled by Chrysalis Records, which was acquired by Blue Raincoat Music in 2016. Most later moved the label's distribution away from EMI. In 1986, Rak Records defected to PRT Records, which handled its final releases through February 1988. Because those releases did not achieve hit status, the label folded at the end of that phase. The Rak name was revived approximately 26 years later, in late 2014, for a new-artist singles club. The revived operation issued digital downloads and seven-inch vinyl records, using a format that paired an original song by a new signing on the A-side with a cover of a classic Rak-associated song on the B-side. The Cadbury Sisters, Trojanhorse and Beautiful Boy were among the acts involved. Their covers included songs associated with Steve Harley, Cozy Powell and Kim Wilde. In the revived format, distribution was handled by Gearbox Records. The releases used design elements recalling the historical label, including the sailing-yacht paper label and royal-blue paper sleeves. Rak Publishing remains based at the original RAK Studios complex in St John's Wood and manages publishing rights connected with songs such as Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing," Arrows' "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and Kim Wilde's "Kids in America." Rak Publishing and Tummy Touch Records have also been associated with new and archive releases from the Rak catalogue. Rak Records is therefore best understood as a label brand with a historically important catalogue, a surviving publishing and studio ecosystem, and a later boutique revival rather than as a continuously operating major-label business.

Rak Records was founded in 1969 by Mickie Most, a record producer who built the label around commercially oriented British pop and rock. Its early and best-known catalogue included artists such as Herman's Hermits, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Kenny, Hot Chocolate, Smokie, Arrows, Racey, Span and Kim Wilde. The label's work was connected to Most's production network and to RAK Studios in St John's Wood, London, creating an integrated environment for recording, label operations and music publishing. Rak releases were distributed through a licensing arrangement with EMI. In 1983, EMI purchased the label and its master recordings from Most. Most nevertheless kept the Rak name and retained RAK Studios and Rak Publishing. This separation meant that the Rak identity survived beyond the sale of the original label company, while ownership of particular recordings and publishing interests later developed along different paths. Warner Music Group obtained rights to Hot Chocolate and other related repertoire through its 2013 purchase of Parlophone from EMI. Suzi Quatro's Rak albums are associated with Chrysalis Records, acquired by Blue Raincoat Music in 2016. In 1986, Most transferred the label's distribution relationship from EMI to PRT Records. PRT handled the remaining releases until February 1988. Those releases did not generate hits, and the label folded after this period. The Rak brand was subsequently revived in late 2014, around 26 years after its earlier closure, as a singles club aimed at new artists. The project combined digital releases with seven-inch vinyl and deliberately linked new performers to the historic catalogue. The Cadbury Sisters, Trojanhorse and Beautiful Boy were among the new signings. Each recorded an original A-side and a cover of a classic song associated with the Rak story or its artists: the Cadbury Sisters covered Steve Harley's "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)," Trojanhorse covered Cozy Powell's "Dance With The Devil," and Beautiful Boy covered Kim Wilde's "Kids in America." The revived records were distributed by Gearbox Records and used a sailing-yacht paper label and royal-blue paper sleeves modeled on the historic Rak presentation. Rak Publishing continued operating from the original RAK Studios complex and represented or administered works connected with writers and artists including Joan Jett, Ben Taylor and KK. Its catalogue interests include "You Sexy Thing," "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Kids in America." Rak Publishing and Tummy Touch Records have also worked with new and archive material from the broader Rak catalogue. The brand's present significance thus rests on its historical recordings, publishing assets, studio heritage and boutique revival activity.

• 2014

  Rak Records revived

  [1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The brand returned as a singles club for new artists, issuing downloads and seven-inch vinyl.

• 1988

  Original label operation folded

  [1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  PRT handled the final Rak releases through February, after which the label folded because the releases had not become hits.

• 1986

  Distribution moved to PRT Records

  [1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Rak changed its distribution relationship from EMI to PRT Records.

• 1983

  EMI acquired the label and master recordings

  [1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  EMI purchased Rak Records and its master recordings from Mickie Most, who retained the Rak name and related studio and publishing businesses.

• 1969

  Rak Records founded

  [1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Record producer Mickie Most established Rak Records in the United Kingdom.

A producer-led British pop and rock label whose identity combines a historically successful catalogue with the RAK Studios and Rak Publishing creative businesses. Its later revival emphasized limited-edition vinyl, new artists and connections to classic Rak repertoire.

• Recorded music catalogue · 1969

  Historical Rak Records catalogue

  The historical catalogue contains British pop, rock and rhythm-and-blues recordings associated with artists including Herman's Hermits, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Hot Chocolate, Smokie, Arrows, Racey and Kim Wilde. Ownership and administration of individual recordings are now distributed among different companies.

• Vinyl and digital singles · 2014

  Rak Singles Club

  The revived Rak singles club paired an original song by a new artist on the A-side with a cover of a classic song connected to the Rak tradition on the B-side. Releases were made available as digital downloads and seven-inch vinyl, with packaging that referenced the label's historical visual identity.

• Music publishing

  Rak Publishing

  Rak Publishing operates from the RAK Studios complex in St John's Wood and manages publishing interests in songs associated with the Rak ecosystem, including Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing," Arrows' "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and Kim Wilde's "Kids in America."

• 2014Rak Singles Club revival

  United Kingdom

  Rak relaunched as a boutique platform for new artists, combining original songs with covers of classic Rak-associated material and releasing the results digitally and on seven-inch vinyl.

  Outcome. The revival produced releases by the Cadbury Sisters, Trojanhorse and Beautiful Boy and reintroduced the Rak brand through limited-format singles.

  Source

• 2014

  Revival as a new-artist singles clubProduct launch

  Background

  After approximately 26 years without an active label operation, Rak was brought back for new artists and small-format releases.

  Action taken

  The revived label issued downloads and seven-inch vinyl, pairing original A-sides with covers of classic Rak-associated songs and using Gearbox Records for distribution.

  Aftermath

  The Cadbury Sisters, Trojanhorse and Beautiful Boy became identified with the revived label's initial releases.

  Source

• 1986

  Change from EMI to PRT distributionStrategy

  Background

  Following EMI's acquisition of the label and recordings, Rak changed its distribution arrangement.

  Action taken

  Rak moved distribution to PRT Records, which handled the remaining releases until February 1988.

  Aftermath

  The releases failed to become hits and the label folded after this operating phase.

  Source

• 1983

  Sale of Rak Records to EMIM&A

  Background

  Rak had operated with EMI distribution, and EMI subsequently acquired the label and its master recordings from Mickie Most.

  Action taken

  EMI took ownership of the label and master recordings, while Most retained the Rak name, RAK Studios and Rak Publishing.

  Aftermath

  Rights to parts of the former catalogue later moved through corporate transactions and independent label ownership.

  Source

• 2016

  Blue Raincoat Music acquired Chrysalis Records[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Blue Raincoat Music acquired Chrysalis Records, which controls Suzi Quatro's albums originally released on Rak.

• 2016

  Chrysalis became associated with Suzi Quatro's RAK albums[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After Blue Raincoat Music acquired Chrysalis, Chrysalis became the independent label associated with Suzi Quatro's albums originally released on RAK.

• 2014

  Rak Records was revived as a new-artist singles club[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Campaign

  After a long period of inactivity, Rak Records returned with a boutique singles-club model offering downloads and seven-inch vinyl by new signings.

• 2014

  Gearbox Records distributed the revived Rak releases[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The revived label's singles were distributed by Gearbox Records and presented with visual elements recalling the historic Rak label design.

• 2014

  RAK Records was revived through a new singles club[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Campaign

  The RAK name returned as a label for new artists, issuing digital music and seven-inch vinyl through a singles-club concept.

• 2014

  Gearbox Records distributed revived RAK releases[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Gearbox Records distributed the revived label's releases, which used design elements associated with the historical RAK label.

• 2013

  Warner acquired Parlophone rights connected with former Rak repertoire[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Warner Music Group's acquisition of Parlophone from EMI included rights to Hot Chocolate and other artists associated with the former Rak catalogue.

• 2013

  Warner Music Group obtained parts of the former EMI RAK catalogue[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Warner Music Group's acquisition of Parlophone from EMI included rights connected with Hot Chocolate and other artists associated with RAK.

• 1986

  Rak Records moved distribution from EMI to PRT Records[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The label shifted its distribution relationship from EMI to PRT Records. PRT handled the label's final releases until February 1988.

• 1983

  EMI acquired Rak Records and its master recordings[1]Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  EMI bought Rak Records and its master recordings from founder Mickie Most, while Most retained the Rak name, RAK Studios and Rak Publishing.

1. 1Rak Recordsen.wikipedia.org