Epic Records is an American record label that was established in 1953 by CBS Inc. as a subsidiary of Columbia Records. The label has been home to many famous artists throughout its history, including Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Shakira, and Mariah Carey. This essay will examine the history of Epic Records, including its founding, major milestones, and notable artists.
Epic Records was founded in 1953 by CBS Inc. as a subsidiary of Columbia Records. The label was created to focus on pop, jazz, and classical music, while Columbia Records continued to release primarily country and western music. Epic Records' first successful artist was pianist and composer Percy Faith, whose 1954 album "The Song from Moulin Rouge" was a massive hit, reaching
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In 1965, the label signed the Jackson 5, a group of five brothers from Indiana. The Jackson 5's first four singles for Epic Records all reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making them one of the biggest acts of the 1970s.
During the 1970s, Epic Records continued to sign and promote popular artists, including Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, and the Isley Brothers. The label also became a pioneer in the development of disco music, releasing albums by Gloria Gaynor, The Trammps, and The Jacksons.
In 1978, Epic Records was acquired by Sony Corporation of America, and the label began to focus on signing and promoting rock and pop acts. One of Epic Records' biggest success stories of the 1980s was Michael Jackson, who signed with the label in 1982. Jackson's album "Thriller" was released in 1982 and became the best-selling album of all time, with over 66 million copies sold worldwide. The album spawned seven hit singles, including "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Epic Records continued to sign and promote popular rock and pop acts, including Cyndi Lauper, The Clash, Pearl Jam, and Celine Dion. The label also became a major player in the hip hop industry, signing acts such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Wu-Tang