Chrysalis Records

Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1968 by Chris Wright and Terry Ellis. The name is both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names. Chrysalis entered into a licensing deal with Island Records for manufacturing and distribution, and the early album releases not just used the Island numbering system but also sometimes its label design for international markets. Wright and Ellis started a talent agency in 1967, which they called Ellis Wright. Two of the bands they represented were Ten Years After and Jethro Tull, and to record them Ellis and Wright formed their own label. They arranged to license the initial discs by the bands to leading independent Island Records, which agreed to give Wright and Ellis their own label if the early releases were hits. (Source ) Chrysalis formed or bought several subsidiary labels in the 1970s and 1980s, including 2-Tone and Ensign. In 1985 Terry Ellis sold his stake in Chrysalis to Chris Wright who took the company public following a reverse takeover of MAM . Chrysalis was eventually sold to EMI and 1991 and folded into EMI subsidiary and flagship label EMI Records in 2005. first UK Chrysalis label (1969 - 1973) The first Chrysalis label has 'Manufactured and Distributed by Island Records' in white lettering across the top rim. The Island 'i'-logo is also present at the top centre. 2. UK Label Variation third UK Chrysalis label (1975 - 1977) The third and last version of the green labels comes with a rights and prohibitions text across the top rim. This text was first printed in black, then in red lettering. 4. UK Label Variation