Casablanca Records
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Casablanca Records is a record label which was started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, in 1973 after both of them left Buddah Records. The label released hits by Donna Summer, KISS, The Four Tops, Cher, Captain & Tennille, Angel, Fanny, The Sylvers, The Hudson Brothers, The Village People, 707, and Parliament featuring George Clinton. PolyGram acquired a 50 percent stake in 1977 and later acquired the remaining half for $15 million in 1980. Afterwards the label had hits with Lipps Inc, Cameo, and Irene Cara. The label was shut down in 1984.
In 2004, the name was revived for a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Tommy Mottola. In a Billboard article, Mottola said that he chose the name as an homage to the original label, but that there was no direct connection between the old and new labels. Casablanca is now a part of Universal Motown Records Group.