Constellation Records | |
---|---|
Parent company | Unidisc Music |
Founded | 1981 |
Founder | Dick Griffey |
Defunct | 1987 |
Status | Defunct |
Distributor(s) | Elektra Records (1981 - 1984) MCA Records (1984 - 1987) |
Genre | Soul Post-disco R&B |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Los Angeles, California |
Constellation Records was an American label of SOLAR Records, and then MCA Records. [1]
In 1981, Constellation was founded by Dick Griffey, as an attempt to introduce more contemporary acts to Griffey's more traditionally "urban" establishment which was already being distributed through Elektra/Asylum Records. [2] [3]
In 1984, Dick Griffey moved the Constellation label over to MCA Records for distribution, deciding to abandon contemporary music and continue the SOLAR tradition. It was a move that finally brought recognition to the label. Among the acts who shifted to the label were veteran Soul Train/SOLAR first lady Carrie Lucas (who eventually married Griffey) and Klymaxx. [4]
In 1987, Constellation was folded into MCA, when the artists (including Klymaxx) were transferred to MCA. Universal Music Group owned all of its post-1984 back catalog. On the other hand, EMI (which acquired SOLAR's back catalog after its closure in 1995) owned all of its pre-1984 back catalog. Unidisc Music currently owns most of SOLAR's (including Constellation) back catalog.
Geffen Records is an American record label established by David Geffen and owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M Records imprint.
MCA Inc. (originally an initialism for Music Corporation of America) was an American media conglomerate founded in 1924. Originally a talent agency with artists in the music business as clients, the company became a major force in the film industry, and later expanded into television production. MCA published music, booked acts, ran a record company, represented film, television, and radio stars, and eventually produced and sold television programs to the three major television networks, especially NBC.
MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group.
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Shalamar is an American R&B and soul music vocal group active since the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Shalamar's classic line-up on the SOLAR label consisted of Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel, together with dancer Jermaine Stewart. It was originally a disco-driven group created by Soul Train booking agent Dick Griffey and show creator and producer Don Cornelius. They went on to be an influential dance trio, masterminded by Cornelius. As noted in the British Hit Singles & Albums, they were regarded as fashion icons and trendsetters, and helped to introduce "body-popping" to the United Kingdom. Their name was created by Griffey.
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Leon Frank Sylvers III is an American singer, songwriter, disc-jockey, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. He was a member of the family group The Sylvers and became one of the most successful producers in black music in the late 1970s to the mid-1980s through his association with Dick Griffey's SOLAR Records. Artists such as J Dilla, Dr. Dre, and Madlib have sampled songs written and produced by him.
Joyce "Fenderella" Irby is an American singer, songwriter, bass guitarist and producer. She was the co-lead vocalist of the all-female band Klymaxx. Irby has also worked with artists such as Lloyd, Troop, Sammie, The SOS Band and Shalamar.
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Meeting in the Ladies Room is the third studio album by Klymaxx, released in 1984. In the US, it reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 9 on the R&B album chart. It is certified Platinum.
"I'd Still Say Yes" is a hit single recorded by Klymaxx for the Constellation/MCA label. Written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Greg Scelsa, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, and produced by Fenderella, it was released as the third single from their fifth album, Klymaxx, helping it reach gold status. The song featured backing vocals by R&B singer Howard Hewett. Reaching its peak at number seven on Billboard's Black Singles chart, and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was the group's last Hot 100 entry. "I'd Still Say Yes" also went to number eight on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Carolyn Griffey is an American female soul vocalist, and member of the soul funk group Shalamar. She is the daughter of Carrie Lucas and SOLAR Records boss Dick Griffey, who worked with Don Cornelius in the television program, Soul Train.
Richard Gilbert Griffey was an American record producer and music promoter who founded SOLAR Records, a RAS acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records". The label played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s. As a concert promoter, Griffey arranged bookings for artists such as James Brown, The Sylvers, Aretha Franklin, Jon Gibson, Stevie Wonder and the Jacksons.
Reggie Calloway is a Grammy nominated American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician and record executive. His career spans 45 years in the entertainment industry. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the founder and leader of the music group, Midnight Star whose album No Parking on the Dance Floor reached #2 on Billboard's R&B Album charts and was certified Platinum X2.