Virgin record label revived as Universal looks to boost indie scene

Record ID: 1602650

  • Title: Virgin record label revived as Universal looks to boost indie scene
  • Date: 18th February 2021
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - NOVEMBER 15, 2005) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FANS SCREAMING OUTSIDE VIRGIN MEGASTORE SINGER MARIAH CAREY ARRIVING AT VIRGIN RECORD STORE CAREY INSIDE STORE/ FANS LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - NOVEMBER 22, 2006) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VIRGIN RECORD STORE IN PICCADILLY CIRCUS FANS QUEUING IN TH
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2021 17:24
  • Keywords: Janet Jackson Richard Branson Sex Pistols Spice Girls Universal Music Virgin Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Virgin Records
  • Location: UNKNOWN LOCATIONS/ LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/BEN GURION AIRPORT, ISRAEL
  • City: UNKNOWN LOCATIONS/ LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/BEN GURION AIRPORT, ISRAEL
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA005E069LSD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Virgin, the storied record label once home to acts including the Sex Pistols and Spice Girls, was relaunched on Thursday with a mission to nurture a new generation of indie talent.
    Rebranded for the digital age as Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, the label is now part of the giant Universal Music Group (UMG), which hopes its global reach and economic clout can help the indie scene thrive.
    Founded in 1972 by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and with its roots in punk, reggae and new wave sounds, Virgin Records' past roster has included David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Culture Club and Massive Attack.
    "I'm proud that half a century after we opened our first independent record shop in London, the Virgin Music name continues to represent the very best entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists from the world of music today," Branson said in a statement released by UMG.
    The tycoon no longer has a stake in the label, which he sold to Thorn EMI in 1992 and was later bought by UMG.
    The rebooted label's British line-up of artists will include Mixtape Madness, D-Block Europe, The Amazons and Billie Marten.
    (Production: Sarah Mills /Alex Richardson)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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