Constellation Records (Solar)

Constellation Records was an American label of SOLAR Records, and then MCA Records.[1]

Constellation Records
Parent companyUnidisc Music
Founded1981 (1981)
FounderDick Griffey
Defunct1987 (1987)
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)Elektra Records (1981 - 1984)
MCA Records (1984 - 1987)
GenreSoul
Post-disco
R&B
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles, California

History

In 1981, Constellation was founded by Dick Griffey, as an attempt to introduce more contemporary acts to Griffey's more traditionally "urban" establishment which was already being distributed through Elektra/Asylum Records.[2][3]

In 1984, Dick Griffey moved the Constellation label over to MCA Records for distribution, deciding to abandon contemporary music and continue the SOLAR tradition. It was a move that finally brought recognition to the label. Among the acts who shifted to the label were veteran Soul Train/SOLAR first lady Carrie Lucas (who eventually married Griffey) and Klymaxx.[4]

In 1987, Constellation was folded into MCA, when the artists (including Klymaxx) were transferred to MCA. Universal Music Group owned all of its post-1984 back catalog. On the other hand, EMI (which acquired SOLAR's back catalog after its closure in 1995) owned all of its pre-1984 back catalog. Unidisc Music currently owns most of SOLAR's (including Constellation) back catalog.

Notable artists

References
  1. "Black Music Month: Dick Griffey & SOLAR Records". Los Angeles Sentinel. 24 June 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  2. Green, Paul (September 18, 1982). "SOLAR to Debut Pop Subsidiary". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 37. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 72. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
  3. Maultsby, Portia; Burnim, Mellonee (October 26, 2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis. p. 166. ISBN 9781315472089. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
  4. Hunt, Darnell; Ramon, Ana-Christina (May 1, 2010). Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities. NYU Press. p. 276. ISBN 9780814773062. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
  5. "Bill Wolfer | Credits".
  6. "Bill Wolfer". 15 May 2007.
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