Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a record label originating in the UK from Richard BransonRichard BransonRichard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group. Beginning with a youth magazine and mail-order records, he expanded into aviation, leisure, telecommunications, finance and commercial spaceflight. He also founded Virgin Unite and is known for ballooning expeditions and his 2021 suborbital flight.Open the full entry and Nik PowellNik PowellNik Powell was a British music and film entrepreneur and producer. A co-founder of Virgin Records, he later developed Palace Pictures with Stephen Woolley and led the National Film and Television School from 2003 to 2017. He died in 2019.Open the full entry’s early Virgin music business. Launched as a label in 1973, it became associated with artists including Mike Oldfield and the Sex Pistols and later entered EMI and Universal Music ownership.
Contents5 sections
Key facts
1970–1973Retail, studio and label
Virgin’s mail-order operation and Oxford Street shop preceded the label, alongside The Manor studio in Oxfordshire. Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells became a pivotal early release in 1973 as Virgin expanded from retail into recorded music.[1]
From the 1970s: Artists and growth
Virgin Records expanded through artists and acts including the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones and Spice Girls. These relationships span different periods and territories.[1]
From 1992: Sale and subsequent ownership
Richard Branson sold the record business to Thorn EMI in 1992. The Virgin Records name continued as a label, currently described in Virgin’s directory as an EMI Records imprint. It is distinct from Virgin Music GroupVirgin Music GroupVirgin Music Group is a Universal Music Group division providing distribution, marketing, technology and rights services to independent artists, labels and rights holders. Established in 2022, it completed the acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings in 2026. It is distinct from the Virgin Records label.Open the full entry, the independent-music services division formed in 2022.[1][2][3]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Virgin Records: Official link: https://www.virginrecords.com/ (opens in a new window).[1]
Richard Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson (opens in a new window).[1][2][3][4]
Nik Powell: Official link: https://nfts.co.uk/article/nfts-announces-sad-passing-former-director-nik-powell (opens in a new window).[1][5]
Virgin GroupVirgin GroupVirgin Group is an investment and brand group originating in the record business established by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1970. Its network spans aviation, travel, hospitality, health, telecommunications, finance and spaceflight. Virgin-branded businesses have distinct ownership and operating arrangements.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (opens in a new window).[1][6]
Virgin Music Group: Official link: https://www.virginmusic.com/ (opens in a new window).[1][2][3][3]
Sources
- Virgin Records (opens in a new window)
- The Virgin history | From 1970 to today (opens in a new window)
- Virgin Music Group (opens in a new window)
- Richard Branson (opens in a new window)
- NFTS Announces The Sad Passing of Former Director Nik Powell (opens in a new window)
- Virgin Group (opens in a new window)