"Since the earliest music companies began, more than 110 years ago, many record labels have come and gone, been taken over or merged. Some have been owned by retailers, DJs, agents or managers, others by artists or vast media, electronics and film companies. From classical to soul, jazz to rock, folk to rap, every record label has its own successes, its own agenda and its own story. " "From the dedicated and extraordinary people who founded them, and the corporations who backed them, acquired them or even closed them down, to the artists who brought them fame and fortune, this fully updated edition of the bestselling The A-Z Of Record Labels explores the colourful history of one of the most important aspects of popular music. "--BOOK JACKET.