Key facts
- Parent company
- Universal Music Group (2012–present) Previously Thorn EMI (1992–1996) EMI (1996–2012) Warner Music Group (2013–present; European back catalogue except for UK)
- Founded
- Virgin Records Ltd. 1972 ; 54 years ago ( 1972 ) Virgin France SA 1980 ; 46 years ago ( 1980 ) Virgin Records America, Inc. 1986 ; 40 years ago ( 1986 )
- Founder
- Richard Branson Simon Draper Nik Powell Tom Newman
- Defunct
- 2013 ; 13 years ago ( 2013 ) (original, United Kingdom/British branch)
- Distributors
- EMI (United Kingdom) Virgin Music Group (US and selected territories) Universal Music Group (outside the UK, the US and selected territories)
- Genre
- Various
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. They grew to be a worldwide success over time, meaning that by the time it was sold, it was regarded as a major label, alongside other large international independents such as A&M and Island Records.
Virgin Records was sold to Thorn EMI in 1992. EMI would later be acquired by Universal Music Group (UMG) in 2012 with UMG creating the Virgin EMI Records division. The Virgin Records name continued to be used in Germany until 2025, when it was renamed Intercord Records.
Gallery (2)
Connections
Categories
1972 establishments in the United KingdomBritish record labelsCompanies based in Los AngelesEMIIFPI membersLabels distributed by Universal Music GroupNew wave record labelsPop record labelsProgressive rock record labelsRecord labels based in CaliforniaRecord labels established in 1972Rock record labels