Evolution Records
Evolution Records was a record label operated by the Stereo Dimension Records subsidiary of the Longines Symphonette Society, a unit of the Longines watch company.[1][2] It was founded in 1969 as the retail arm of the mail-order Longines Symphonette Society which usually issued box sets of old radio shows, including a two-record set of Orson Welles's 1938 Mercury Theatre on the Air production of "The War of the Worlds", or traditional pop songs. Loren Becker was the president of the label.[3] In 1973 the label made a concerted effort to break into the soul music genre.[4]
The most successful act on Evolution was the Canadian rock group Lighthouse, which earned Evolution its first gold record.[5] Evolution sold Lighthouse's contract to Polydor Records, but retained rights to material originally issued on Evolution.[3]
Longines exited the record business in 1975.
Artists
- Bloontz[6]
- Dorothea Joyce[7]
- Lighthouse
- Richard Sarstedt[8]
- Steel River[2]
References
- "Evolution Album Discography". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
- "Stereo Dimension Shaping New Aim Via Westinghouse". Billboard. February 13, 1971. p. 10.
- "Polydor Buys Lighthouse". Billboard. May 5, 1973. p. 6.
- "Evolution, Master 5 Pact Accents Soul". Billboard. March 17, 1973. p. 48.
- "One Fine Morning". Billboard. October 23, 1971. p. 1.
- "Evolution gives Bloontz $60G 'Bloontzkreig'". Billboard. February 24, 1973. p. 58.
- "Signings". Billboard. August 12, 1972. p. 18.
- "Signings". Billboard. September 25, 1971. p. 22.