The Schwann Catalog (previously Schwann Long Playing Record Catalog or later Schwann Record And Tape Guide) was a catalog of recordings started by William Schwann in 1949.[1] The first edition was hand-typed and 26 pages long, and it listed 674 long-playing records (see LP record). By the late 1970s, over 150,000 record albums had been listed in Schwann. The company was honored by the record industry both at the 25th anniversary (1974)[2] and 35th anniversary (1984).[3]
The Schwann Catalog changed hands several times, sold in 1976, then again in the late 1980s to Stereophile, then to Valley Media in the 1990s. In 2002, the company was purchased at a bankruptcy auction by Alliance Entertainment Corporation.[4]
- ^ "Obituary: William Schwann, 85, Founder of the Noted Record Catalogue". New York Times. 1998-06-18.
- ^ Billboard - 30 nov. 1974 - Page 45 Vol. 86, no. 48 "Those are but two of hundreds of tributes which William "Bill" Schwann has been receiving as he and his staff observe the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Schwann Record/Tape Catalog. Issued monthly, it has sold 28 million copies."
- ^ The New Schwann - Volume 37 Page 4 1985 "The citation reads: "With gratitude and respect, the Recording Industry Association of America honors William 'Bill' Schwann for creating and perpetuating the nation's definitive record and tape catalog and for dedicating 35 years of service to ..."
- ^ Music Web Encyclopedia of Popular Music