Sire Records

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Sire Records Company is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Brothers Records

The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer. Its first releases as a record label were issued in 1968, distributed by London Records. The label was then distributed by Polydor Records in 1970-1971, during which the now-famous logo was first introduced, and then in 1972-1974 by Famous Music, during which the progressive rock band Focus charted in 1972 with "Hocus Pocus." Later in the 1970s, Sire transformed itself into a large independent record label and went on to sign artists from the burgeoning punk rock and New Wave scenes, including The Ramones, The Dead Boys and Talking Heads. After a brief period of distribution by ABC Records, Sire was acquired by Warner Bros. Records in 1978.

In 1995, Sire left Warner Brothers to operate under its sister label Elektra Records, where Stein was appointed president. Sire later left the Elektra umbrella, but remained at Warner Music Group.

In 2000, Sire Records and the US division of London Records were merged to become "London-Sire Records" (still part of Warner Music Group). This partnership dissolved April 2003, at which point the company went back to being called Sire Records. In the time since, it has returned to the Warner Bros. Records fold.

Sire and Stein are credited for starting the professional careers of Madonna (when he signed her in 1982) and Ice T (who signed to the label 1986).

Sire Records

Current acts

Former acts

See also