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{{Short description|Former American record label (1966–71)}}
⚫
'''Colgems Records''' was a [[record label]] which existed from [[1966 in music|1966]] to [[1971 in music|1971]]. It was a joint venture between [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]]-[[Screen Gems]] and [[RCA Victor|RCA Records]], to issue records by [[The Monkees]] and other Screen Gems artists. The label would also issue [[soundtrack]] recordings for Screen Gems and Columbia Pictures productions. RCA acted as manufacturer and distributor for Colgems. (Outside the United States, all Colgems productions appeared on the [[RCA Victor]] label.)
{{More citations|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox record label
| name = Colgems Records
| image = Colgems_logo.jpg
| parent = [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]]-[[Screen Gems]] and [[RCA Victor]]
| founded = {{start date|1966}}
| founder = <!-- name of founders, separate with commas or <br /> -->
| defunct = {{end date|1971}}
| status = Defunct
| distributor = RCA Victor
| genre = <!-- such as "[[World music|World]]" or "Various", separate with commas or <br /> -->
| country = U.S.
| location = <!-- headquarters city and state -->
}}


'''Colgems Records''' was a [[record label]] that existed from 1966 to 1971.
⚫
An earlier label, [[Colpix Records]], was dissolved to make way for the new company, and nearly all Colpix titles went out of print. (One Colpix album was reissued on Colgems; the soundtrack to the 1962 film ''[[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|Lawrence of Arabia]]''.) Ironically, even before the Monkees began, Colpix had signed two future members &ndash; [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]], recruited to Screen Gems by [[Ward Sylvester]], and [[Michael Nesmith]], who recorded as "Michael Blessing". Eventually, the Colpix catalog was sold to Roulette Records. Today, the Colpix catalog is owned jointly by Rhino/Warner and EMI.


==History==
Among the non-Monkees Colgems roster were [[Sally Field]] (star of ''[[Gidget]]'' and ''[[The Flying Nun]]''), [[Jewel Akens]], [[Sajid Khan]] (star of the short-lived NBC-TV series "[[Maya (television show)|Maya]]"), Paula Wayne, The Lewis & Clarke Expedition (whose members included [[Michael Murphey|Michael Martin Murphy]]). [[Hoyt Axton]] (who went on to write "[[Joy to the World (Hoyt Axton song)|Joy to the World]]" for [[Three Dog Night]]), Alex Keenan and comedian [[Rich Little]] released singles on Colgems, and the soundtracks to ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'', ''[[Oliver! (film)|Oliver!]]'', ''[[In Cold Blood (film)|In Cold Blood]]'', and ''[[Guess Who's Coming to Dinner]]'' also appeared on the label.
⚫
Colgems was a joint venture between [[Screen Gems]], the television division of [[Columbia Pictures]], and [[RCA Victor]] to issue records by [[The Monkees]] and other artists affiliated with Columbia/Screen Gems. The label would also issue soundtrack recordings for Screen Gems and Columbia Pictures productions. RCA acted as manufacturer and distributor for Colgems. Outside of the United States, Colgems productions appeared on the RCA Victor label.


⚫
An earlier label, [[Colpix Records]], was dissolved to make way for the new company, and nearly all Colpix titles went out of print. Even before the Monkees began, Colpix had signed two future members &ndash; [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]], recruited to Screen Gems by [[Ward Sylvester]], and [[Michael Nesmith]], who recorded as "Michael Blessing". The Colpix catalog was sold to [[Roulette Records]]. The Colpix catalog is owned by [[Warner Music Group]] with its [[Rhino Records]] unit holding the rights in North America and its [[Parlophone]] unit the rights in the rest of the world.
⚫
Colgems Records slumped after the critical and commercial failure of the last Monkees album ''[[Changes (The Monkees album)|Changes]]'', which featured only Jones and [[Micky Dolenz]]. The label's final release, titled ''[[Barrel Full of Monkees]]'' and showcasing its flagship act, appeared in 1971 but sold very poorly. Colgems then closed, and its [[master recording]]s and artists were folded into the [[Bell Records (1950s-70s)|Bell Records]] family, which later evolved into [[Arista Records]], headed by Clive Davis.


The non-Monkees Colgems roster included [[Sally Field]],<ref name="q986"/> [[Jewel Akens]],<ref name="akens"/> [[Sajid Khan]],<ref name="q986"/> Paula Wayne, P.K. Limited, the Hung Jury, Fountain of Youth,<ref name="vine"/> The Lewis & Clarke Expedition (whose members included [[Michael Martin Murphey]]),<ref name="clarke"/> [[Hoyt Axton]], Alex Keenan and comedian [[Rich Little]].
⚫
In 1979, Columbia Pictures sold Arista (including the Colgems assets) to BMG-owned Ariola Records. Six years later, Ariola's parent company, BMG, merged with RCA Records.


They also released Soundtracks to ''[[Oliver! (film)|Oliver!]]'', ''[[In Cold Blood (film)|In Cold Blood]]'', [[Head (film)|''Head'']], ''[[Guess Who's Coming to Dinner]]'', ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'', ''[[Hammerhead (film)|Hammerhead]]'', ''[[The Professionals (1966 film)|The Professionals]]'', ''[[The Night of the Generals]]'', ''[[Murderers' Row (film)|Murderers' Row]]'', ''[[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|Lawrence of Arabia]]'', ''[[The Southern Star (film)|The Southern Star]]'', ''[[The Happening (1967 film)|The Happening]]'', ''[[Interlude (1968 film)|Interlude]]'' and ''[[Getting Straight]]''.<ref name="both sides"/> [[The Monkees]] albums released include, "The Monkees", "[[More of the Monkees]]", "Headquarters", "[[Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.]]" and "[[The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees]]".<ref name="k442"/>
⚫
Today, the assets of Colgems Records (except for The Monkees' output) is controlled by [[Sony Music Entertainment]] - all the more ironic given that the parent company [[Sony]] had acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989. All of the Monkees' recordings are currently owned by [[Rhino Records]], who licensed the group's original Colgems LP's from Arista and reissued them in the mid-1980s.


== Decline and phaseout ==
⚫
A related label to Colgems was SGC Records (Screen Gems-Columbia), which issued albums by [[Nazz]] through [[Atlantic Records]], in a [[distribution deal]] similar to the one Screen Gems held with RCA.
⚫
Colgems Records slumped after the critical and commercial failure of the final Monkees album ''[[Changes (The Monkees album)|Changes]]'', which featured only [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] and [[Micky Dolenz]]. The label's last release, titled ''[[Barrel Full of Monkees]]'' and showcasing its flagship act, appeared in January 1971 and sold poorly but charted on Billboard at 207. Colgems then closed, and its [[master recording]]s and artists were folded into [[Bell Records]], which, unlike Colgems, was wholly owned by Columbia Pictures. Bell itself was later disbanded and Columbia's music division was reorganized into [[Arista Records]], headed by [[Clive Davis]].


⚫
In 1979, Columbia Pictures sold Arista (including the Colgems assets) to [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]-owned [[Ariola Records]]. Six years later, Ariola's parent company, BMG, merged with [[RCA Records]].
==Label variations==


⚫
Today, the assets of Colgems Records (except for the Monkees' output) are controlled by [[Sony Music Entertainment]]. The parent company, [[Sony]], acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989. All of The Monkees' recordings are currently owned by [[Warner Music Group]]'s [[Rhino Records]], which licensed the group's original Colgems LPs from Arista and reissued them in the mid-1980s. Rhino acquired the entire Monkees audio catalog, [[The Monkees (TV series)|The Monkees TV series]], their 1968 feature film ''[[Head (film)|Head]]'', and the rights to The Monkees name and logo, in August 1994.
===Singles===
#1966-1967: White label with red stripe across the middle and black outlines in the upper and lower half-circles, COLGEMS in red at top with "TM OF COLGEMS RECORDS" disclaimer underneath. "TM OF COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION" and "C" logo to the left of the spindle hole, "TM OF SCREEN GEMS INC." and "S From Hell" logo to the right. Bottom of label shows round RCA "bolt" logo and the disclaimer "TM MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY RCA"
#1968-1969: Same color label format with a few differences: The black outlines and "TM OF COLGEMS RECORDS" disclaimer have been removed, the Screen Gems disclaimer is shortened to "SCREEN GEMS INC." and there is an addition to the disclaimer at the bottom perimeter, on a second line: "TRADEMARK (R) REGISTERED MARCA REGISTRADA--MADE IN U.S.A."
#1969-1970: Same as label #2, but the Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, and RCA logos are all replaced with the round Colgems "CG" logo to the left
#Promotional singles from 1966-1967: Same as label #1 with "NOT FOR SALE" printed under the song master number on the right hand side.
#Promotional singles from 1968-1969: Yellow label. Similar format as label #2 , but without the Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems disclaimers and logos
#Promotional singles from 1970: Same as #5, but the RCA logo is removed


SME merged Arista into RCA Records in 2011 but revived it in 2018.
===Albums===

#1966-1967: Red label with white half-circle at top showing COLGEMS in red and "TM OF COLGEMS RECORDS" underneath. Left edge of label shows "TM OF COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION" and "C" logo, right side shows "TM OF SCREEN GEMS INC." and "S From Hell" logo. Bottom of label shows round RCA "bolt" logo with the mono/stereo designation to the left and "TM MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY RCA" to the right. Bottom perimeter of label under RCA logo shows "TRADEMARK (R) REGISTERED MARCA REGISTRADA--MADE IN U.S.A."
== SGC Records ==
#1968-1969: Same color format, but the "TM OF COLGEMS RECORDS" disclaimer is removed and the Screen Gems disclaimer is shortened to "SCREEN GEMS, INC.". The "TM MANUFACTURED..." disclaimer is moved from the right of the RCA logo to underneath the logo with the "MARCA REGISTRADA" disclaimer following on the second line.
⚫
A label related to Colgems was SGC (Screen Gems-Columbia) Records. SGC issued albums by [[Nazz]] through [[Atlantic Records]] in a [[distribution deal]] similar to the one Screen Gems held with RCA.
#1969-1971: Same as label #2, but the Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and RCA logos are all replaced with the round Colgems "CG" logo to the left. Some early 1969 pressings may show label #3 on one side and label #2 on the other.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of record labels]]
* [[List of record labels]]
* [[Colpix Records]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="both sides">{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=David |last2=Callahan |first2=Mike |title=Colgems Album Discography |url=https://bsnpubs.com/rca/colgems.html |website=Both Sides Now |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324032240/http://www.bsnpubs.com/rca/colgems.html |archive-date=March 24, 2006 |date=October 31, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="k442">{{cite book | last=McKeen | first=W. | title=Everybody Had an Ocean: Music and Mayhem in 1960s Los Angeles | publisher=Chicago Review Press | year=2017 | isbn=978-1-61373-494-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YBB0DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT444 | page=444}}</ref>
<ref name="q986">{{cite book | last=Leszczak | first=B. | title=From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950-2000 | publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers | year=2015 | isbn=978-1-4422-4274-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpucCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA115 | pages=115, 177}}</ref>
<ref name="akens">{{cite magazine |title=Top New Releases |magazine=[[Record World]] |date=October 7, 1967 |volume=22 |issue=1061 |page=39 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-10-07.pdf#page=39}}</ref>
<ref name="clarke">{{cite magazine |title=The Lewis & Clarke Expedition |magazine=Billboard |date=July 29, 1967 |volume=79 |issue=30 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aigEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19}}</ref>
<ref name="vine">{{cite web |title=Fountain of Youth |url=https://rockandvinemag.com/2020/04/fountain-of-youth/ |website=Rock & Vine Magazine |date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*[http://bsnpubs.com/bell/screengems.html The Colpix/Colgems story]
*[https://www.45cat.com/label/colgems Colgems - Label Discography] at 45 cat


{{Authority control}}{{Columbia Pictures}}
[[Category:American record labels]]
[[Category:Defunct record labels of the United States]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1966]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1966]]
[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 1971]]
[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 1971]]
[[Category:The Monkees]]
[[Category:The Monkees]]
[[Category:Pop record labels]]
[[Category:Pop record labels]]
[[Category:Film soundtrack record labels]]
[[Category:RCA Records]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures]]
[[Category:Screen Gems]]
[[Category:Former joint ventures]]

Latest revision as of 01:51, 2 January 2025

Colgems Records
Parent companyColumbia-Screen Gems and RCA Victor
Founded1966 (1966)
Defunct1971 (1971)
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)RCA Victor
Country of originU.S.

Colgems Records was a record label that existed from 1966 to 1971.

History

[edit]

Colgems was a joint venture between Screen Gems, the television division of Columbia Pictures, and RCA Victor to issue records by The Monkees and other artists affiliated with Columbia/Screen Gems. The label would also issue soundtrack recordings for Screen Gems and Columbia Pictures productions. RCA acted as manufacturer and distributor for Colgems. Outside of the United States, Colgems productions appeared on the RCA Victor label.

An earlier label, Colpix Records, was dissolved to make way for the new company, and nearly all Colpix titles went out of print. Even before the Monkees began, Colpix had signed two future members – Davy Jones, recruited to Screen Gems by Ward Sylvester, and Michael Nesmith, who recorded as "Michael Blessing". The Colpix catalog was sold to Roulette Records. The Colpix catalog is owned by Warner Music Group with its Rhino Records unit holding the rights in North America and its Parlophone unit the rights in the rest of the world.

The non-Monkees Colgems roster included Sally Field,[1] Jewel Akens,[2] Sajid Khan,[1] Paula Wayne, P.K. Limited, the Hung Jury, Fountain of Youth,[3] The Lewis & Clarke Expedition (whose members included Michael Martin Murphey),[4] Hoyt Axton, Alex Keenan and comedian Rich Little.

They also released Soundtracks to Oliver!, In Cold Blood, Head, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Casino Royale, Hammerhead, The Professionals, The Night of the Generals, Murderers' Row, Lawrence of Arabia, The Southern Star, The Happening, Interlude and Getting Straight.[5] The Monkees albums released include, "The Monkees", "More of the Monkees", "Headquarters", "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd." and "The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees".[6]

Decline and phaseout

[edit]

Colgems Records slumped after the critical and commercial failure of the final Monkees album Changes, which featured only Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz. The label's last release, titled Barrel Full of Monkees and showcasing its flagship act, appeared in January 1971 and sold poorly but charted on Billboard at 207. Colgems then closed, and its master recordings and artists were folded into Bell Records, which, unlike Colgems, was wholly owned by Columbia Pictures. Bell itself was later disbanded and Columbia's music division was reorganized into Arista Records, headed by Clive Davis.

In 1979, Columbia Pictures sold Arista (including the Colgems assets) to BMG-owned Ariola Records. Six years later, Ariola's parent company, BMG, merged with RCA Records.

Today, the assets of Colgems Records (except for the Monkees' output) are controlled by Sony Music Entertainment. The parent company, Sony, acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989. All of The Monkees' recordings are currently owned by Warner Music Group's Rhino Records, which licensed the group's original Colgems LPs from Arista and reissued them in the mid-1980s. Rhino acquired the entire Monkees audio catalog, The Monkees TV series, their 1968 feature film Head, and the rights to The Monkees name and logo, in August 1994.

SME merged Arista into RCA Records in 2011 but revived it in 2018.

SGC Records

[edit]

A label related to Colgems was SGC (Screen Gems-Columbia) Records. SGC issued albums by Nazz through Atlantic Records in a distribution deal similar to the one Screen Gems held with RCA.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Leszczak, B. (2015). From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950-2000. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 115, 177. ISBN 978-1-4422-4274-6.
  2. ^ "Top New Releases" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 22, no. 1061. October 7, 1967. p. 39.
  3. ^ "Fountain of Youth". Rock & Vine Magazine. 9 April 2020.
  4. ^ "The Lewis & Clarke Expedition". Billboard. Vol. 79, no. 30. July 29, 1967. p. 19.
  5. ^ Edwards, David; Callahan, Mike (October 31, 2005). "Colgems Album Discography". Both Sides Now. Archived from the original on March 24, 2006.
  6. ^ McKeen, W. (2017). Everybody Had an Ocean: Music and Mayhem in 1960s Los Angeles. Chicago Review Press. p. 444. ISBN 978-1-61373-494-0.
[edit]
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