Casablanca Records
Product brand
UnclaimedAmerican record label founded by Neil Bogart, historically associated with disco, funk, rock and pop, and now operated as an electronic-music imprint under Republic Records.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
Casablanca Records is an American record label founded in 1973 by Neil Bogart after his departure from Buddah Records. Financed initially by Warner Bros. Records, the label took its name and visual identity from the Humphrey Bogart film Casablanca. Its early roster included Kiss and Parliament, although the company struggled to establish commercially successful releases during its first years. The label’s financial position became especially precarious after the poorly performing 1974 album Here’s Johnny: Magic Moments from The Tonight Show, which had shipped at gold level but generated substantial returns from retailers. Casablanca’s breakthrough came with Kiss’s double live album Alive! in 1975. The record became the label’s first major album success and helped establish Kiss as a major rock act. Casablanca subsequently developed one of the most commercially visible rosters of the disco era, releasing music by Donna Summer, Village People, Parliament, Cher, Lipps Inc., and other dance, funk, rock and pop performers. The company was also known for aggressive promotion, elaborate parties and high-spending marketing, practices that helped create cultural visibility but weakened profitability. In 1976, the label merged with Peter Guber’s Filmworks, Inc. to form Casablanca Record and FilmWorks. The combined company became involved in both recorded music and film projects, including The Deep and Midnight Express. PolyGram acquired a 50 percent interest in Casablanca in 1977 and purchased the remaining stake in 1980. That transaction ended Bogart’s leadership; PolyGram cited spending and accounting concerns, while the label’s creative and commercial performance subsequently weakened. The film division was separated and became PolyGram Pictures. Casablanca continued releasing records into the 1980s, including work by Stephanie Mills, Irene Cara, Mac Davis, Dusty Springfield, Robin Williams and Kiss, but it no longer matched its late-1970s influence. PolyGram eventually closed the label in 1986, transferring selected artists and catalog responsibilities to other group labels, particularly Mercury. The original catalog later became part of Universal Music Group following the PolyGram and Seagram transactions, with reissues handled within Universal’s label structure. The Casablanca name was revived in 2000 through a joint venture involving Universal and Tommy Mottola. That version issued releases by artists including Lindsay Lohan, Brie Larson, Mika and Ryan Leslie, but activity later diminished. In 2012, Casablanca was relaunched under Republic Records as an electronic-music imprint. The revived label has worked with established and emerging artists in dance and electronic music, including Crystal Castles, Kavinsky, C2C, The Presets, Chase & Status, Martin Garrix, Avicii and Seven Lions. In the current Universal Music Group structure, Casablanca functions primarily as a dance and electronic label led by Brett Alperowitz.
History
Neil Bogart established Casablanca Records in 1973 after disagreements at Buddah Records. Warner Bros. Records provided financing, and the new company adopted a name and visual presentation associated with the film Casablanca. Kiss was the first act signed, but the group’s first three albums did not initially produce significant chart results. Early singles by Fanny and the Hudson Brothers provided modest evidence that the label could compete commercially. The company’s position deteriorated in 1974. Its double album of highlights from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Here’s Johnny: Magic Moments from The Tonight Show, was shipped in quantities sufficient for gold certification but sold poorly, leaving the label with large retailer returns. By the middle of 1975, Casablanca was close to failure. Bogart then took a substantial risk on Kiss’s double live album Alive!, using the band’s reputation as a concert attraction rather than relying on the weak performance of its earlier studio albums. Alive! became both Kiss’s and Casablanca’s first major album breakthrough. The success of Kiss gave Casablanca the resources and credibility to pursue a broader roster. During the second half of the 1970s, the label became closely linked with disco, funk and dance-pop, releasing music by Donna Summer, Village People, Parliament, Cher and Lipps Inc., while continuing to support rock acts such as Kiss. Its subsidiary Chocolate City Records concentrated on R&B, funk and disco and included Cameo and Brenda & the Tabulations. Parachute Records operated from 1976 to 1979 under Russ Regan and released work by artists including Randy Brown, 7th Wonder and Shel Silverstein. Casablanca also expanded beyond records. In 1976 it merged with Filmworks, Inc., founded by former Columbia Pictures executive Peter Guber, to create Casablanca Record and FilmWorks. The company participated in film projects including The Deep and Midnight Express. PolyGram’s 1977 investment recognized Casablanca’s commercial momentum, but the label’s expensive promotional practices and lavish events later became a source of tension. PolyGram acquired full ownership in 1980 and removed Bogart, citing concerns over spending and accounting. Bogart used proceeds from the sale to establish Boardwalk Records, but died of cancer in 1982. The post-Bogart label retained some successful releases but lost much of its distinctive momentum. Its 1980s activity included albums by Stephanie Mills, Irene Cara, Mac Davis, Dusty Springfield and Robin Williams, as well as Kiss releases such as Unmasked, Music from The Elder and Creatures of the Night. Casablanca also issued or distributed soundtrack and comedy projects, including Flashdance and Reality, What A Concept!. PolyGram ultimately shut the label in 1986, moving selected artists and catalog material to Mercury and other parts of its organization. After Seagram acquired PolyGram and combined it with MCA’s music operations to form Universal Music Group, the original Casablanca catalog became part of the Universal system. Universal and Tommy Mottola revived the name in 2000, with releases during the 2000s by Lindsay Lohan, Brie Larson, Mika and Ryan Leslie. This incarnation was eventually largely inactive. A further relaunch in 2012 positioned Casablanca as a Republic Records imprint focused on electronic and dance music. The modern roster has included Crystal Castles, Kavinsky, C2C, The Presets, Chase & Status, Martin Garrix, Avicii, Seven Lions and other international electronic artists.
- 2012
Electronic-music relaunch
[1]Casablanca returned as an electronic imprint under Republic Records.
- 2000
Name revived by Universal and Tommy Mottola
[1]A new venture used Casablanca as an homage to the earlier label.
- 1986
Original label closed
[1]PolyGram folded Casablanca and reassigned portions of its roster and catalog.
- 1980
PolyGram takes full control
[1]PolyGram bought the remaining interest and Bogart left the company.
- 1977
PolyGram takes a minority stake
[1]PolyGram acquired 50 percent of the independent label.
- 1976
Filmworks merger
[1]Casablanca joined with Filmworks, Inc. to form Casablanca Record and FilmWorks.
- 1975
Kiss Alive! breaks through
[1]The double live album became the label’s first major album success and a turning point for Kiss.
- 1974
Here’s Johnny released
[1]The television compilation shipped at gold level but performed poorly and generated extensive returns.
- 1973
Casablanca Records founded
[1]Neil Bogart founded the label after leaving Buddah Records, with financing from Warner Bros. Records.
Products and positioning
A historically influential artist label built around high-impact promotion and crossover dance, disco, funk, rock and pop releases; in its current form, it is positioned as an electronic and dance imprint under Republic Records.
Live rock album · 1975
Kiss: Alive!
The 1975 double live album by Kiss was Casablanca’s decisive commercial breakthrough. It converted the band’s reputation as a powerful live act into a successful recorded product and opened the way for stronger-selling Kiss albums on the label, including Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, Love Gun and Alive II.
Recorded music · 1973
Casablanca disco and dance catalog
The label’s best-known 1970s offering was a broad body of disco, funk and dance-pop recordings. Releases by Donna Summer, Village People, Lipps Inc. and related artists helped define Casablanca’s commercial identity during the peak of the disco era.
Subsidiary label · 1975
Chocolate City Records
Created in 1975 and associated with Cecil Holmes, Chocolate City focused on R&B, funk and disco. Its roster included Cameo and Brenda & the Tabulations, giving Casablanca a dedicated platform for Black dance and funk music.
Electronic and dance music · 2012
Casablanca electronic-music releases
The post-2012 Republic Records incarnation has released and promoted electronic, dance and related crossover music from artists such as Kavinsky, C2C, Chase & Status, Martin Garrix, Avicii and Seven Lions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Electronic relaunch
International markets
Casablanca was repositioned under Republic Records around dance and electronic music, pairing the historic name with a roster of established and emerging international artists.
Outcome. Established the label’s current operating identity
- 1975Kiss Alive! breakthrough campaign
United States
Casablanca emphasized Kiss’s concert reputation by releasing a double live album after the band’s studio albums had underperformed. The strategy produced the label’s first major album success and changed the commercial trajectory of both the band and company.
Outcome. Commercial breakthrough for Kiss and Casablanca
Brand decisions
2012
Reposition Casablanca as an electronic imprintStrategyBackground
Universal Music Group and Republic Records sought to revive the label name with a contemporary musical focus.
Action taken
Casablanca was relaunched around electronic and dance music rather than its original disco, funk and rock-centered roster.
Aftermath
The imprint developed an international electronic roster and remains associated with Republic Records.
1980
Accept PolyGram’s purchase of the remaining stakeM&ABackground
PolyGram already owned half of Casablanca and had concerns about the label’s spending and accounting practices.
Action taken
The remaining ownership was sold to PolyGram, which removed Neil Bogart from leadership.
Aftermath
Casablanca continued under corporate ownership but declined in influence and was eventually closed.
1975
Release Kiss Alive! despite earlier weak album salesProduct launchBackground
Kiss’s initial Casablanca studio albums had failed to make a substantial chart impact, while the label was facing severe financial pressure.
Action taken
Casablanca shifted emphasis to the group’s live reputation and issued a double live album.
Aftermath
Alive! became a major success and provided a foundation for subsequent Kiss releases.
Recent events
- 2021
Brett Alperowitz appointed Republic Records A&R executive[1]
Leadership change
Casablanca general manager Brett Alperowitz was also named executive vice president of A&R at Republic Records’ West Coast creative operation.
- 2012
Casablanca relaunched as Republic electronic imprint[1]
Product launch
The label returned as a dance and electronic imprint under Republic Records with an international roster.
- 2000
Casablanca name revived through Universal and Tommy Mottola venture[1]
M&A
Universal and Tommy Mottola relaunched the name as a separate label venture, distinct from the original company’s operating history.
- 1980
PolyGram acquires the remaining Casablanca stake[1]
M&A · Leadership change
PolyGram bought the rest of Casablanca and removed Neil Bogart from his leadership position.
- 1977
PolyGram acquires a 50 percent stake in Casablanca[1]
M&A
PolyGram purchased half of the independent label as Casablanca’s disco-era success accelerated.
- 1976
Casablanca Record and FilmWorks merges with Filmworks[1]
M&A
The record label combined with Peter Guber’s Filmworks, Inc., expanding the business into film production and soundtrack-related activity.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/casablanca-records · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled