Triumph Records (United Kingdom)

Triumph Records was a UK record label set up in January 1960 by Joe Meek and William Barrington-Coupe with the financial backing of Major Wilfred Alonzo Banks. The label existed for less than a year and although most of the artistes are unknown, many of the records now sell for high prices in the record collecting world because of Meek's involvement. Even the original paper sleeves command some value.

The label had three hit singles—"Angela Jones" by Michael Cox reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart, "Green Jeans" by the Flee-Rekkers peaking at #23 and George Chakiris' "Heart Of A Teenage Girl" at #49[1]—but distribution was badly organised and Meek pulled out in June 1960. The label folded soon afterwards after a bankruptcy petition was filed on behalf of a leading musical arranger who had not been paid. A few 45 r.p.m. records were released on Triumph that had no involvement from Meek. Many of Meek's later 1960–1961 Triumph recordings by artists including John Leyton, the Flee-Rekkers and Iain Gregory were recorded for Triumph release, but were issued on labels such as Top Rank and Pye after the label's collapse.

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 124. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.