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Rak Records
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Rak Records is a British record label, founded by record producer Mickie Most in 1969.[1] Rak was home to artists such as Herman's Hermits, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Kenny, Hot Chocolate, Smokie, Arrows, Span, Racey and Kim Wilde.[2] Rak Records were distributed via a licensing deal with EMI Records, which bought the company and its master recordings from Most in 1983. Most kept the company name and his RAK Studios, which still exists in St. John's Wood along with Rak Publishing. The latter company represents artists such as Joan Jett, Ben Taylor and KK. In 1986, Most defected the label from EMI to PRT Records which handled the last releases until February 1988. Owing to the records not being hits, the label folded. However, 26 years later in late 2014, Rak Records was revived as a label for new artists releasing both downloads and 7-inch vinyl in the form of a singles club. The Cadbury Sisters, Trojanhorse, and Beautiful Boy were the new signings. They recorded their own original songs as the A-sides, and covered a classic Rak artists cover as the B-side. The Cadbury Sisters covered Steve Harley's 1975 classic "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" (even though it was originally released on the generic EMI label), Trojan Horse did Cozy Powell's "Dance With The Devil", and Beautiful Boy did "Kids In America". As PRT Records no longer exists, the label is now distributed by Gearbox Records using the original sailing yacht paper label and the records packaged in the original royal blue paper sleeves.
Key Information
When Warner Music Group acquired Parlophone from EMI in 2013, this included the rights to Hot Chocolate[3] and other artists. However, Suzi Quatro's albums on Rak are owned by currently independent label Chrysalis Records after Blue Raincoat Music acquired that label in May 2016 from Warner.[4][5]
Rak Publishing
[edit]Rak Publishing is currently in London, in the original RAK Studios complex in St John's Wood.[6] They manage the publishing rights for songs like "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Arrows, covered by Joan Jett and Britney Spears, and "Kids In America" recorded by Kim Wilde.[7] Rak Publishing and Tummy Touch Records are currently releasing new and archive material from the Rak catalogue.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The RAK Records Story - Media Centre". BBC. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Cartwright, Garth (2 June 2003). "Obituary: Mickie Most". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ^ "Their Greatest Hits by Hot Chocolate on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Now Warner sells records by Athlete, Steve Harley and more to Chrysalis". Musicbusinessworldwide.com. 7 July 2016.
- ^ "Two months after Warner sale, Chrysalis signs with Kobalt Label Services". Musicbusinessworldwide.com. 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Home". Rak Publishing. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "MMI - Rak Publishing". Music & Media International. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
External links
[edit]
Rak Records
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History
Founding and early years
Rak Records was established in 1969 in London by record producer Mickie Most as an independent label, allowing him to maintain creative and financial control over his productions beyond the constraints of major labels.[2] Most, who had already achieved significant success producing hits such as Herman's Hermits' "I'm Into Something Good" in 1964, sought greater autonomy following the launch of RAK Publishing in 1969 alongside RAK Management in partnership with Peter Grant.[2][1] The label's formation marked a pivotal shift for Most, enabling him to own the rights to his recordings in an era when producers typically worked under major company umbrellas.[6] The label's early infrastructure was centered in London, with initial operations focused on singles production to capitalize on the vibrant UK pop market. Rak's debut release came in March 1970 with Julie Felix's cover of "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)," which reached the UK Top 20 and established the label's folk-pop foothold.[7][8] Subsequent signings included Hot Chocolate, whose debut single "Love Is Life" in 1970 became an early hit, peaking at number 6 on the UK charts and showcasing the label's knack for soul-infused pop.[9] By 1971, New World joined the roster, delivering the upbeat "Tom-Tom Turnaround," a Top 10 success that highlighted Rak's emerging strength in bubblegum and light pop sounds.[10] Efforts to revive 1960s acts like Herman's Hermits also featured in early releases, though these yielded modest results compared to fresh signings.[11] Distribution arrangements were crucial to Rak's initial viability, with manufacturing and marketing handled by EMI through a licensing deal starting in 1970, providing nationwide reach without the overhead of full independence.[12] This partnership supported the label's output through 1972, during which Rak built a reputation for polished, hit-oriented productions under Most's guidance, laying the groundwork for broader commercial expansion.[12]Peak success in the 1970s
During the early 1970s, Rak Records shifted its focus toward glam rock, marked by the signing of the songwriting and production team Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman in 1971, who crafted tailored, high-energy hits for the label's artists.[13] This partnership propelled Rak into a prolific era of chart success, with Chinn and Chapman producing bubblegum-infused pop-rock anthems designed for radio play and teen audiences. Mickie Most, Rak's founder, adopted a hands-on production approach at the label's in-house RAK Studios in London, emphasizing polished arrangements, stomping rhythms, and infectious hooks to maximize commercial appeal.[2][14] Major signings exemplified this strategy's effectiveness. American rocker Suzi Quatro debuted on Rak in 1973 with "Can the Can," co-written and produced by Chinn and Chapman, which became the UK's first number-one single by an all-female rock band and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.[13] British glam act Mud followed with a string of hits in 1973-1974, including the Chinn-Chapman-penned "Tiger Feet," which topped the UK charts for four weeks.[14] The Sweet, though initially on RCA, benefited from Chinn and Chapman's productions like the explosive "Ballroom Blitz" (1973), which reached number two in the UK and reinforced the glam sound Rak championed across its roster.[2] By the mid-1970s, Rak had established itself as the UK's leading independent label, releasing a constant stream of hits that dominated the charts. In 1973 alone, 14 out of 16 singles charted, contributing to over 30 UK Top 10 entries by 1979 from artists like Quatro, Mud, and others.[14][15] Key releases included Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing" (1975, UK number two) and Smokie's "Living Next Door to Alice" (1976, UK number five), both showcasing the label's knack for versatile, upbeat pop-soul and rock.[16][17] In 1974, Rak expanded internationally through distribution deals, including arrangements for US release via partners like Bell Records, broadening its global reach.[12] This period solidified Rak's reputation for teen-oriented hits, with Most's productions exceeding 200 million copies sold worldwide by the end of his career.[15]Decline and acquisition by EMI
Following the peak of the glam rock era, Rak Records faced significant challenges in the late 1970s and early 1980s as the UK music scene shifted toward punk and new wave, genres that overshadowed the label's signature pop-oriented sound and led to a noticeable decline in chart performance after 1979.[18] The departure of key songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman further exacerbated this, as they relocated to the United States in 1975 to pursue international opportunities, effectively ending their prolific output for Rak artists by around 1980.[19] Despite these setbacks, the label attempted to adapt with new signings, including Racey, whose Chinn-Chapman-penned tracks like "Some Kind of Lover" achieved moderate success in the late 1970s, and Span, a rock band that released material on Rak during this transitional period.[20] A notable bright spot came with the signing of Kim Wilde in 1980, whose debut single "Kids in America" became a major international hit in 1981, topping charts in multiple countries and revitalizing Rak's profile as her self-titled album and follow-ups like Select (1982) and Catch as Catch Can (1983) produced further successes.[18] Earlier, the label had released Arrows' original version of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" in 1975, which gained renewed attention in the 1980s through Joan Jett's cover but did little to stem Rak's domestic struggles.[21] However, as Wilde departed in 1984 amid waning momentum, Rak's output diminished, with fewer high-profile releases and a focus on reissuing back catalog material. In 1983, founder Mickie Most sold Rak's master recordings to EMI Records, marking a pivotal operational shift as the label continued under EMI's umbrella with reduced independence and activity.[22] Distribution arrangements evolved amid EMI's internal restructuring, transitioning to PRT Records by 1986-1987, which handled the final wave of releases.[11] By 1988, persistent lack of major hits led to the label's effective closure under PRT, ending its original run after nearly two decades, though its catalog endured through EMI's management.[23]Revival and later developments
In late 2014, Rak Records was revived through the establishment of the RAK Singles Club, a series dedicated to emerging indie artists who released original songs as A-sides paired with B-side covers of classic tracks from the label's back catalogue, available in 7-inch vinyl and digital formats.[24] This initiative marked a return to the label's roots in accessible pop and rock while embracing modern production, with an emphasis on high-quality vinyl pressings to appeal to collectors and contemporary listeners.[24] The revival featured new signings such as Trojan Horse, whose single "Meat Eater" exemplified the club's blend of original noisy prog rock with RAK heritage.[25] Beautiful Boy contributed an original track backed by a cover of Kim Wilde's 1981 hit "Kids in America," showcasing the label's focus on indie pop acts reinterpreting glam-era influences.[24] Similarly, The Cadbury Sisters released a cover of Steve Harley's "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)," highlighting the club's role in nurturing alternative pop trios with ties to the label's historic studios.[26] These efforts prioritized limited-edition vinyl alongside digital distribution, fostering a niche revival of the singles format amid streaming dominance.[24] Throughout the 2010s, the revived label oversaw reissues of key back catalogue material, including remastered editions of Suzi Quatro's early albums such as Suzi Quatro (1973) and If You Knew Suzi... (1978), released on CD in 2014 to reintroduce her glam rock sound to new audiences.[27] Kim Wilde's debut self-titled album (1981) received a deluxe remastered edition in 2020, featuring bonus tracks, B-sides, and music videos, emphasizing the enduring appeal of her synth-pop hits.[28] Distribution partnerships enhanced these efforts; in 2016, Chrysalis Records acquired rights to the Suzi Quatro catalogue, enabling expanded reissues and global reach for her RAK-era recordings.[29] Ownership transitioned in 2022 when control of Rak Records Ltd. passed to Mickie Most's daughters, Cristalle Hayes (also known as Cristalle Gorenski) and Nathalie Hayes, following family inheritance arrangements effective from December 4.[30] Under this stewardship, the label maintained limited new output, including digital compilations in the early 2020s that aggregated RAK hits for streaming platforms, while prioritizing catalogue preservation over extensive artist signings.[30] The revival's cultural impact was underscored by the 2019 BBC Radio 2 program The RAK Records Story, presented by Suzi Quatro, which featured interviews with label alumni like Kim Wilde and Steve Harley to explore its 1970s heyday and ongoing relevance.[31]Dissolution in 2024
In 2022, following the death of Christina Hayes, wife of founder Mickie Most, full ownership of Rak Records Ltd. passed to Most's daughters, Cristalle and Nathalie Hayes, effective December 4, 2022.[30][32] On August 5, 2024, the company filed an application for voluntary strike-off from the UK Companies House register, with the first Gazette notice published on August 13, 2024.[32] The dissolution was finalized and recorded on October 29, 2024, ending the legal entity after 55 years since its founding in 1969.[32][30] By 2024, Rak Records Ltd. held no active assets or operations, as its back catalogue rights and master recordings had been transferred to EMI Records Ltd. in 1987, with subsequent handling by Parlophone Records under Warner Music Group.[30] No new artist contracts were in place, reflecting the company's dormant status since the asset sale.[30] The closure retired the Rak Records name as an independent record label, though related entities persisted separately: RAK Publishing was acquired by Bella Figura Music in April 2024, and RAK Studios Ltd. continued operations as a recording facility.[33] This marked the end of the label's formal structure, originally revived briefly in 2014 for select new releases via Gearbox Music.[30]Signed artists and releases
Glam rock and pop acts
Rak Records, under the guidance of founder Mickie Most, became a powerhouse for glam rock and pop in the 1970s by signing and nurturing acts that captured the era's flashy, teen-oriented energy. Most, a savvy producer with a keen eye for marketable talent, emphasized polished production, bold visuals, and catchy hooks tailored to the youth market, often collaborating with songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman to craft anthemic singles that dominated the UK charts.[14] This approach propelled several artists to stardom, blending rock's edge with pop accessibility to define the label's signature sound. Suzi Quatro, the American-born bassist and singer, was signed to Rak in 1972 after Most spotted her potential during a UK showcase.[34] Her debut single "Rolling Stone" failed to chart, but subsequent releases from 1973 to 1978 yielded massive success, including two UK Number 1 singles: "Can the Can" and "Devil Gate Drive," as well as top 5 hits like "48 Crash."[35] Quatro's leather-clad image and aggressive performances broke barriers for women in rock, establishing her as a trailblazing figure who fused glam's spectacle with raw musical prowess.[34] Mud, a British quartet formed in the mid-1960s, joined Rak in 1973, marking a pivotal shift from their earlier mod roots to full-throated glam.[36] Produced by Chinn and Chapman, their breakthrough hit "Dyna-Mite" in 1974 exemplified the label's formula of stomping rhythms and infectious choruses, peaking at number 4 in the UK and cementing their place in the glam pantheon.[37] As glam waned, Mud transitioned toward a rockabilly and country-inflected style in the late 1970s, scoring further hits like "Oh Boy" while retaining Most's emphasis on nostalgic appeal for evolving audiences.[38] The Sweet, though primarily associated with RCA, maintained a close creative tie to Rak through Chinn and Chapman's productions from 1971 to 1978, which infused their output with the same high-energy glam blueprint used for label acts.[39] Tracks like the 1975 anthem "Fox on the Run"—self-produced but echoing the duo's influence—showcased soaring harmonies and guitar-driven bombast, helping the band achieve international acclaim with over a dozen UK Top 20 singles during this period.[39] Kenny, an English pop-glam outfit assembled around 1974, epitomized Rak's bubblegum side with lighthearted, danceable tracks aimed at younger fans. Signed to the label that year, they notched several mid-1970s hits, including the playful "The Bump" in 1974, which peaked at Number 3 in the UK and featured a simple, repetitive hook perfect for the teen market.[40] Their tenure through 1976 produced upbeat singles like "Fancy Pants," blending glam's glitter with bubblegum's innocence under Most's production oversight.[41] Racey, formed in 1976 from the remnants of the band Phoenix, was signed to Rak and achieved success with upbeat pop tracks. Their 1978 single "Lay Your Love on Me" reached #3 in the UK, showcasing their harmonious vocals and catchy melodies in the vein of late glam and early power pop. Most's hands-on role extended beyond signing artists; he meticulously shaped their personas—from Quatro's tough rocker vibe to Mud's cheeky charm—ensuring Rak's acts resonated with teenagers through vibrant marketing and radio-friendly sounds.[14] This strategy not only fueled chart dominance but also positioned the label as a glam epicenter. Hot Chocolate, another Rak mainstay, added crossover appeal by merging soulful grooves with pop hooks, broadening the roster's reach beyond pure rock.[42]Other notable artists
Rak Records diversified its roster beyond glam rock by signing artists across soul, rock, and pop genres during the 1970s and 1980s, as well as contemporary indie acts in its revival period. This approach allowed the label to achieve success in international markets through varied musical styles, from disco-infused soul to synth-pop.[43] Hot Chocolate, a British soul band formed by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson, was signed to Rak Records in 1970 by producer Mickie Most.[9] The group enjoyed a string of soul and disco hits on the label spanning the 1970s and into the 1980s, including "You Sexy Thing" (1975) and "Every 1's a Winner" (1978), which showcased their infectious blend of funk and pop.[44] Their tenure with Rak lasted over a decade, producing consistent chart performers that highlighted the label's capability in soul music.[45] In 1974, Rak signed the British rock band Smokie (initially spelled "Smokey"), who achieved international acclaim with rock ballads penned by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.[43] Their 1977 single "It's Your Life" peaked at number 5 in the UK, demonstrating Smokie's appeal in melodic hard rock.[46] The band remained with Rak until the late 1970s, releasing albums like Changing All the Time (1976) that solidified their global success, with sales exceeding millions worldwide.[43] The Arrows, a British-American rock band active from 1974 to 1977, joined Rak in 1974 and contributed to the label's pop-rock output.[47] They are best known for writing and recording the original version of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" as a 1975 single, produced by Mickie Most, which later gained fame through covers but marked the Arrows' tenure with Rak through hits like "Touch Too Much" (1974).[48] Their three-year association with the label produced six singles, emphasizing high-energy rock anthems.[49] Kim Wilde, daughter of 1950s singer Marty Wilde, was signed to Rak in 1980 at age 20, ushering in the label's foray into new wave and synth-pop.[50] Her debut single "Kids in America" (1981), written by her father and brother Ricky, became an international smash, reaching number two in the UK and charting across Europe and North America.[51] Wilde's time with Rak through the mid-1980s yielded synth-driven albums like Kim Wilde (1981), blending pop accessibility with electronic elements during the post-punk era.[50] Johnny Hates Jazz, formed in 1986, released their debut single "Me and My Foolish Heart" on Rak before signing with Virgin Records. The group later achieved success with synth-pop hits like "Shattered Dreams" (1987, #5 UK), though their Rak association was brief. Herman's Hermits, the 1960s British Invasion act, made a brief return to Rak in 1970 for a short tenure, releasing singles such as "Bet Yer Life I Do" under Mickie Most's production.[48] This one-year association marked a nostalgic pivot for the band, though it did not replicate their earlier MGM success.[52] During Rak's revival in the 2010s, the label signed contemporary indie acts like The Cadbury Sisters in 2014, focusing on modern pop-rock interpretations of classic sounds.[53] Their single "Weight of It," released as part of the RAK Singles Club series, exemplified the label's effort to nurture emerging indie talent with original material alongside covers of Rak catalog tracks.[53] This signing highlighted Rak's adaptation to the indie scene in its later years.[54]Key hit singles and albums
Rak Records achieved significant commercial success in the 1970s through a series of chart-topping singles that capitalized on the glam rock and pop trends, producing multiple UK No. 1 hits by artists like Suzi Quatro and Mud. These releases not only dominated the UK Singles Chart but also contributed to the label's reputation for polished, radio-friendly productions under Mickie Most. By the late 1970s, Rak artists had amassed at least six UK No. 1 singles, underscoring its peak era dominance.[1] Key singles from this period exemplify Rak's hit-making formula. Suzi Quatro's "Can the Can," released in 1973, topped the UK Singles Chart for one week and spent 14 weeks in the Top 40, marking her breakthrough and the label's first No. 1. Mud's "Tiger Feet," issued in 1974, also reached No. 1, holding the position for four weeks across 11 total chart weeks, and became one of the best-selling singles of the year. Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing," from 1975, peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks with 12 weeks overall, later re-entering the charts in the 1980s following its feature in the film The Full Monty, where it hit No. 2 again in 1997. These tracks, often penned by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, highlighted Rak's focus on catchy, upbeat pop with broad appeal.[55][56][16]| Single | Artist | Year | UK Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can the Can | Suzi Quatro | 1973 | 1 | 14 |
| Tiger Feet | Mud | 1974 | 1 | 11 |
| You Sexy Thing | Hot Chocolate | 1975 | 2 | 12 |