| ABC Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | American Broadcasting Company |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Status | Sold to MCA Records: Defunct |
| Distributor(s) | Self-distributed (US), EMI (international), Anchor Records (UK), Sparton Records (Canada), Polydor Records (Canada), GRT (Canada) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
ABC Records was an American record label founded in New York City in 1955. It originated as the main popular music label operated by the Am-Par Record Corporation. Am-Par also created the Impulse! jazz label in 1960. It acquired many labels before ABC was sold to MCA Records in 1979. ABC produced music in a variety of genres: pop, rock, jazz, country, rhythm and blues, soundtrack, gospel, and polka. In addition to producing records, ABC licensed masters from independent record producers, and purchased regionally released records for national distribution.
The label was initially called Am-Par Records (1955), but quickly changed to ABC-Paramount Records (1955–1966), and then renamed ABC Records in 1966.[1][2]
- ^ "Am-Par Alters Label Name to ABC-Param't". Billboard. September 24, 1955. p. 11.
- ^ "ABC-Paramount Is Now abc Records". Billboard. June 18, 1966. p. 3.