EMI America
Corporate brand
UnclaimedEMI America was a United States record label launched by EMI in 1978 and later consolidated into EMI's North American label structure.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
EMI America was a United States record label established by EMI in 1978 as the company's second major label operation in the country after Capitol Records. The imprint was created to give EMI a distinct American label presence while continuing to use Capitol for essential operational functions, including record pressing, distribution, and international liaison. It therefore occupied a position within EMI's wider recorded-music system rather than operating as an entirely independent manufacturing and distribution company. During its active period, EMI America released and represented music by artists from a broad range of genres. Its roster included pop, rock, new wave, post-punk, adult contemporary, R&B, country, and internationally oriented acts. Artists associated with the label included David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Stray Cats, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Go West, Kajagoogoo, Pet Shop Boys, Queensrÿche, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxette, Talk Talk, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, John Waite, Kim Wilde, and others. The label's territorial arrangements were not uniform for every artist: some acts were associated with EMI America in the United States, while several artists from the United Kingdom or continental Europe were represented in the United States and, in some cases, Canada. EMI America was reorganized in the late 1980s. In 1987 it merged with Manhattan Records, another EMI-associated label, to form EMI Manhattan Records. That combined identity was subsequently changed in 1989 to EMI USA. In 1991, the operation became part of the EMI Records Group North America and used the name EMI Records USA. These changes reflected a broader consolidation of EMI's American recorded-music activities and meant that EMI America ceased to function as a standalone label identity. The label was ultimately closed in 1997. Its artists were distributed between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records, both of which were part of the broader EMI family by that period. The closure ended EMI America's independent imprint life, although recordings originally issued under the label continued to have commercial and archival significance through later catalog administration. A further ownership change affected the catalog rather than reviving the label. In 2012, Universal Music Group agreed to acquire EMI's recorded-music division, and the transaction was completed in 2013 after regulatory review and required divestitures. Since then, the EMI America catalog has been managed within Universal Music Group's recorded-music operations. EMI America is therefore best understood today as a defunct historical label imprint whose recordings and artist associations remain part of a larger successor-controlled catalog, rather than as an active record company.
History
EMI America Records was launched in 1978 by EMI as the company's second label in the United States after Capitol Records. The creation of the imprint gave EMI a separate American-facing label identity while relying on Capitol for manufacturing and distribution functions. Capitol also provided international liaison support, linking EMI America's releases to the parent company's broader global network. The label developed a varied roster. Its associated artists included established performers such as David Bowie, Kate Bush, Robin Gibb, Cliff Richard, and Barbara Mandrell, as well as pop, rock, new wave, and alternative acts including the Stray Cats, Go West, Kajagoogoo, Naked Eyes, Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk, Queensrÿche, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxette, and George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Other artists connected with the imprint included Marty Balin, Blessid Union of Souls, Lenny Burns, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Joe "Bean" Esposito, Murray Head, the J. Geils Band, the Michael Stanley Band, Limahl, John Waite, Kim Wilde, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, and others. Territorial participation varied by artist; some European acts were handled by EMI America in the United States, and in several cases Canada as well. In 1987, EMI America was merged with Manhattan Records. The combined operation was named EMI Manhattan Records, reducing the prominence of the original EMI America identity and placing the label within a more consolidated North American structure. In 1989, EMI Manhattan was rebranded EMI USA. Two years later, in 1991, the operation joined EMI Records Group North America under the name EMI Records USA. These successive changes show how EMI moved from separate label imprints toward larger regional operating groups. The EMI America label operation was closed in 1997. Its artists were divided between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records, ending EMI America's life as an active standalone imprint. The closure did not eliminate the recordings issued through the label; those recordings continued to circulate through later reissues, licensing, and catalog administration. EMI's recorded-music business later changed ownership. Universal Music Group acquired EMI's recorded-music division in a transaction completed in 2013. As a result, the EMI America catalog has been managed under Universal Music Group since that time. The historical label should therefore be distinguished from the continuing availability of recordings carrying the EMI America name: the imprint itself is defunct, while its repertoire remains part of a successor-managed catalog.
- 2013
Catalog moves to Universal Music Group management
[1]After Universal Music Group acquires EMI's recorded-music division, the EMI America catalog comes under Universal's management.
- 1997
Label closure
[1]EMI closes the label operation and reallocates its artists between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
- 1991
Integration into EMI Records Group North America
[1]The operation joins EMI Records Group North America and adopts the name EMI Records USA.
- 1989
Rebranding as EMI USA
[1]EMI Manhattan Records is renamed EMI USA.
- 1987
Merger with Manhattan Records
[1]EMI America merges with Manhattan Records and the combined operation becomes EMI Manhattan Records.
- 1978
EMI America is launched
[1]EMI establishes EMI America as its second United States label after Capitol Records, using Capitol for pressing, distribution, and international liaison.
Products and positioning
A United States EMI label imprint created to expand the parent company's American recorded-music presence beyond Capitol Records, with a roster spanning mainstream pop, rock, new wave, alternative, country, and international artists.
Recorded music catalog · 1978
EMI America catalog
The label's principal output was a catalog of albums, singles, and other recorded-music releases issued under the EMI America identity. The repertoire covered pop, rock, new wave, alternative, country, adult contemporary, and international artists. Although the imprint was closed in 1997, recordings originally released through it remain subject to later reissue, licensing, and catalog-management activity.
Brand decisions
2013
Transfer catalog management to Universal Music GroupM&ABackground
Universal Music Group acquired EMI's recorded-music division.
Action taken
Management of the EMI America catalog moved into Universal Music Group's recorded-music operations.
Aftermath
The historic EMI America repertoire continued under successor-company catalog administration.
1997
Close EMI America and reassign its artistsStrategyBackground
EMI ended the standalone EMI America label operation after several rounds of organizational consolidation.
Action taken
The label was closed and its artists were divided between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
Aftermath
EMI America ceased operating as an active imprint, while its recordings remained part of EMI's wider catalog.
1991
Integrate the operation into EMI Records Group North AmericaStrategyBackground
EMI continued consolidating its North American recorded-music operations after the EMI America–Manhattan combination.
Action taken
The operation joined EMI Records Group North America and operated as EMI Records USA.
Aftermath
The EMI America imprint became part of a regional group structure rather than remaining a separate label operation.
1987
Merge EMI America with Manhattan RecordsM&ABackground
EMI reorganized its American label activities through a combination of EMI America and Manhattan Records.
Action taken
The two operations were merged into EMI Manhattan Records.
Aftermath
The original EMI America identity was replaced within the combined label structure, which was later renamed EMI USA.
1978
Create a second EMI label in the United StatesStrategyBackground
EMI sought a distinct United States label operation in addition to Capitol Records.
Action taken
The company launched EMI America while retaining Capitol for pressing, distribution, and international liaison functions.
Aftermath
EMI America became an active American imprint with a broad domestic and international artist roster.
Recent events
- 2013
Universal Music Group assumes management of the EMI America catalog[1]
M&A
Following Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI's recorded-music division, the EMI America catalog came under Universal's catalog-management operations.
- 1997
EMI America is closed and its artists are reassigned[1]
Leadership change
The EMI America label operation was closed, with its artists transferred between Virgin Records America and Capitol Records.
- 1991
The operation joins EMI Records Group North America as EMI Records USA[1]
Other
EMI USA was incorporated into EMI Records Group North America and operated under the EMI Records USA name.
- 1989
EMI Manhattan is rebranded as EMI USA[1]
Other
The label identity created by the 1987 merger was changed to EMI USA as EMI continued to consolidate its American recorded-music activities.
- 1987
EMI America merges with Manhattan Records[1]
M&A
EMI America and Manhattan Records were combined to create EMI Manhattan Records, beginning a sequence of organizational and brand changes for EMI's United States label operations.
Sources2 sources
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