The Rocket Record Company
The Rocket Record Company is a British record label founded by Elton John and associates in 1973 and named after his hit song "Rocket Man."
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Rocket Record Company is a British record label established in 1973 by Elton John, Bernie Taupin, producer Gus Dudgeon, Steve Brown and other associates. Its name was taken from John's hit song "Rocket Man," which had become one of the defining recordings of his early-1970s career. The label was created both as a vehicle for John-related releases and as a platform for other artists, giving it a role that combined artist development, repertoire curation and the promotion of a distinctive Elton John musical identity. At launch, Rocket operated through external distribution arrangements rather than as a fully independent global distribution network. Island handled its United Kingdom distribution, while MCA Records distributed its releases in the United States. These relationships reflected John's existing connections with both companies. The label's early roster included Stackridge, which moved from MCA and completed two albums for Rocket, as well as established and developing acts such as Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Colin Blunstone, the Hudson Brothers, Blue, Kiki Dee, Judie Tzuke, the Lambrettas, Junior Campbell, Brian and Brenda Russell, and the Dutch group Solution. The roster demonstrated the label's broad pop, rock and singer-songwriter orientation rather than a narrow genre strategy. Rocket also pursued new British talent. One notable project was the album "499 2139," whose title referred to a studio telephone number. The recordings involved Pete Waterman and Tony Keys and brought together material across several styles, including a track by the Lambrettas. Although the album made only a limited chart impact, it illustrated Rocket's interest in emerging producers, bands and contemporary British sounds. John became increasingly central to the label after leaving DJM Records in 1976. From that point, Rocket released his recordings in the United Kingdom and, for a period, in North America. His North American tenure was comparatively brief: after the album "Blue Moves" and several singles, including "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," his releases returned to MCA. Rocket's North American distribution subsequently moved from MCA to RCA, and the label was discontinued in the United States in the early 1980s. The brand was revived in the mid-1990s. John's album "Made in England" was released through Rocket in 1995 with Island distribution, while "The Big Picture" and the 1997 release of "Candle in the Wind 1997" used A&M distribution in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Rocket distribution moved from Island to Phonogram in 1978 and later to Mercury in 1995. By that period, John was effectively the label's only continuing recording artist. Following Seagram's acquisition of PolyGram in 1998, the companies controlling Island, Mercury and A&M became part of the Universal Music Group structure. In 1999, Rocket was absorbed into The Island Def Jam Music Group and operated under its Mercury Records division, although the Rocket logo continued to appear on new Elton John releases for several years. The name was also revived for the 2006 Platinum Weird album. The Rocket branding appeared on John's 2010 collaboration with Leon Russell, "The Union," even though John's last regular studio album released through Rocket before that project had been "Peachtree Road" in 2004. Rocket's later identity became broader than a conventional active recording label. Elton John established Rocket Music Entertainment Group in 2011, creating a related music-management enterprise. The Rocket name has therefore continued to function across recorded music and artist-management contexts, while the historic label's most visible role remains its association with Elton John's catalogue and selected artists. The label is best understood as an artist-founded imprint whose distribution, corporate affiliation and operating scope changed over time, rather than as a consistently independent record company.
History
The Rocket Record Company was founded in 1973 by Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon, Steve Brown and other associates. The label took its name from John's hit "Rocket Man" and was designed to provide a home for John's music while allowing the founders to sign and promote other performers. Rather than initially controlling its own international distribution, Rocket worked with established companies: Island distributed its United Kingdom releases and MCA handled distribution in the United States. The early roster included Stackridge, which completed two albums for Rocket after moving from MCA. The label also became associated with Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Colin Blunstone, the Hudson Brothers, Blue, Kiki Dee, Judie Tzuke, the Lambrettas, Junior Campbell, Brian and Brenda Russell, and Solution. Rocket's activities covered mainstream pop, rock, singer-songwriters and other contemporary styles. John also reportedly attempted to sign Iggy Pop and the Stooges, although that offer was not accepted. Rocket pursued British talent through advertising and compilation-style projects. The album "499 2139," named after a studio telephone number, involved Pete Waterman and Tony Keys and presented a mixture of musical styles, including a Lambrettas track. Its limited chart performance did not prevent it from serving as an example of the label's effort to identify and record new acts. John's relationship with the imprint became more important after he left DJM Records in 1976. Rocket released his records in the United Kingdom and briefly handled his releases in North America. In the United States and Canada, this period lasted only a short time: after "Blue Moves" and a small number of singles, including "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," John's releases returned to MCA. Rocket then shifted its American distribution to RCA, but the United States operation ended in the early 1980s. The label was revived in the mid-1990s. Island distributed John's "Made in England" through Rocket in 1995, while A&M handled United States distribution for "The Big Picture" and "Candle in the Wind 1997." In Britain, Rocket's distribution had moved to Phonogram in 1978 and later to Mercury in 1995. By then, the imprint had become closely identified with John, who was effectively its only continuing recording artist. Corporate consolidation reshaped the label's structure. In 1998, Seagram acquired PolyGram, bringing companies such as Island, Mercury and A&M into the Universal Music Group orbit. In 1999, Rocket was absorbed into The Island Def Jam Music Group and operated through Mercury Records. The Rocket logo nonetheless continued to be used on new Elton John releases until 2007. The name appeared again in connection with the 2006 Platinum Weird album and on the Rocket-branded release of John's 2010 collaboration with Leon Russell, "The Union." In 2011, John created Rocket Music Entertainment Group, broadening the Rocket name into artist management. The record-label identity has continued to be associated primarily with Elton John's recordings and catalogue, while the wider Rocket organization has represented established and developing artists. Its history illustrates the evolution of an artist-led imprint from an independent-style label with a multi-artist roster into a brand operating within major-label distribution and management-company structures.
- 2011
Rocket Music Entertainment Group is established
[1]Elton John forms a related management company, extending the Rocket brand beyond recorded-music releases.
- 1999
Rocket enters the Island Def Jam structure
[1]The label is absorbed by The Island Def Jam Music Group and operates under Mercury Records.
- 1995
Rocket is relaunched
[1]The imprint returns for Elton John's "Made in England," distributed in the United Kingdom by Island.
- 1980
United States operation ends
[1]The label is discontinued in the United States during the early 1980s after distribution changes involving MCA and RCA.
- 1978
United Kingdom distribution moves to Phonogram
[1]Rocket's United Kingdom distribution changes from Island to Phonogram.
- 1976
Elton John becomes the label's central recording artist
[1]After leaving DJM Records, John begins releasing his records through Rocket in the United Kingdom and temporarily in North America.
- 1973
The label is founded
[1]Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon, Steve Brown and associates establish The Rocket Record Company, naming it after "Rocket Man."
Products and positioning
An artist-founded British record label built around Elton John's creative identity while also signing and developing pop, rock and singer-songwriter acts.
Artist catalogue · 1976
Elton John recordings
The label's most important output is Elton John's recorded catalogue released under the Rocket imprint, particularly after his departure from DJM in 1976. Releases associated with the label include "Blue Moves," "Made in England," "The Big Picture," and selected singles such as "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," and "Candle in the Wind 1997." Distribution changed across Island, MCA, RCA, A&M and Mercury depending on territory and period.
Record-label catalogue · 1973
Multi-artist label releases
Rocket's original multi-artist programme included albums and singles by acts such as Stackridge, Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Colin Blunstone, Kiki Dee, Judie Tzuke, the Lambrettas, Junior Campbell, Brian and Brenda Russell, Solution and the Hudson Brothers. The roster gave the imprint a broad pop and rock profile while retaining a strong connection to Elton John's audience.
Compilation-style studio project
499 2139
Named after the studio telephone number, "499 2139" was a Rocket project involving Pete Waterman and Tony Keys. It assembled recordings in several contemporary styles and included a track by the Lambrettas. Although it achieved only a modest chart result, the project reflected Rocket's attempt to discover and package emerging British talent.
Collaborative album · 2010
The Union
The 2010 Elton John and Leon Russell collaboration carried the Rocket logo during the period when the imprint was principally associated with John's catalogue. It represented a later use of the label identity rather than a return to Rocket's earlier multi-artist operating model.
Brand decisions
1999
Absorb Rocket into Island Def JamM&ABackground
Major-label consolidation followed Seagram's acquisition of PolyGram and the integration of related labels into Universal's recording operations.
Action taken
The Rocket imprint was absorbed into The Island Def Jam Music Group and operated through Mercury Records.
Aftermath
The imprint lost much of its independent operating identity but continued to appear on selected Elton John releases.
1976
Move Elton John releases to RocketStrategyBackground
John left DJM Records and needed a new label arrangement for his recordings.
Action taken
Rocket began releasing John's records in the United Kingdom and for a limited period in North America.
Aftermath
The label became increasingly identified with John, although his North American releases later returned to MCA.
1973
Launch an artist-founded multi-artist labelStrategyBackground
Elton John and his associates sought to create a label connected to John's artistic identity while also providing a platform for other performers.
Action taken
They established The Rocket Record Company and used Island and MCA as initial territorial distributors.
Aftermath
Rocket developed a broad early roster and became a vehicle for both John's releases and music by other artists.
Recent events
- 2011
Rocket Music Entertainment Group is formed[1]
Other
Elton John forms Rocket Music Entertainment Group, extending the Rocket name into artist-management activities.
- 1999
Rocket is absorbed into Island Def Jam Music Group[1]
M&A
The label becomes part of The Island Def Jam Music Group and operates under its Mercury Records division, while the Rocket logo continues to appear on selected Elton John releases.
- 1995
The Rocket Record Company is relaunched[1]
Product launch
Rocket returns as an active release imprint for Elton John's "Made in England," with Island distribution.
- 1980
Rocket's United States operation is discontinued[1]
Other
After changes in North American distribution, the label's United States operation is discontinued in the early 1980s.
- 1976
Elton John releases through Rocket after leaving DJM[1]
Other
Following John's departure from DJM Records, The Rocket Record Company begins releasing his records in the United Kingdom and, for a period, in North America.
- 1973
The Rocket Record Company is founded[1]
Other
Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon, Steve Brown and associates establish a record label named after John's song "Rocket Man."
- 1970
Rocket expands its artist roster[1]
Other
During the label's early period, Rocket signs or releases music by artists including Stackridge, Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Kiki Dee, Colin Blunstone, Judie Tzuke, the Lambrettas and others.
Sources1 sources
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