Warner Music Australasia

Warner Music Australasia, a division of the Warner Music Group producing Compact disc and DVD for Australian distribution.

History

In 1969 Warner Bros Records decided to branch out and Warner Music International was born.

The first territory established was Canada, the second Australia.

Paul Turner began the company with five staff members in July 1970, the official opening happening at the Menzies Hotel, Sydney on October 1 1970. The company was then based in Riley Street, Darlinghurst and had three major labels, Warner Bros, Elektra and Atlantic.

A year later Warner Bros Records worldwide (including Australia) changed names to Kinney Music. The monopoly laws in America at the time did not allow the three labels to trade as one, and so the 'umbrella' name of Kinney Music came into being.

For these first two years, the Australian Record Company (ARC), now known as Sony Music handled the Australian distribution.

Paul Turner's first year budget was one million dollars. This was achieved in seven months, with the first year's sales coming in at just under two million dollars.

By October 1 1972, US monopoly laws had also changed and WEA (the first initial of each of the three main labels) Records was born. From this time, WEA Records Australia had its own sales and distribution arm. Adding a warehouse to the offices forced a location change to George Place, Artarmon, New South Wales.

WEA Records went on to become a major player in the Australian recording industry, through international successes of artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and the Doors.

The company was renamed Warner Music Australia in February 1988, and split into two divisions - WEA Records and East West Records. More focus was being placed on domestic signings, and phenomenal success was achieved by INXS, Cold Chisel, 1927 and Jenny Morris, to name a few.

Artists

International

* Linkin Park
* Madonna
* Kylie Minogue
* The Veronicas
* Mika
* Gabriella Cilmi
* New Kids On The Block
* Nelly Furtado
* Timbaland
* Enya
* R.E.M.
* Michael Buble
* New Order
* Green Day
* Neil Young
* Red Hot Chilli Peppers
* Cher
* The Corrs
* Alanis Morissette
* Frank Sinatra

Local

* Shihad
* Thirsty Merc
* The Whitlams
* Evermore
* Magic Dirt
* Cold Chisel
* Lisa Mitchell

See also

* List of record labels