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Dark Horse Records

Dark Horse Records is a record label founded by former Beatle George Harrison in 1974. The label's formation coincided with the winding down of the Beatles' Apple Records and allowed Harrison to continue supporting other artists' projects while maintaining his solo career. The initial signings were Indian musician Ravi Shankar and Splinter, the latter of whom provided the label with its only significant commercial success until Harrison himself signed with Dark Horse in 1976. The label was distributed internationally by A&M Records for the first two years of its operation. Following a highly publicised split with A&M, Harrison and Dark Horse formed a long-term partnership with Warner Bros. Records that lasted until the expiration of his contract in 1994.

Dark Horse Records
Dark Horse Records' original logo
FoundedMay 1974
FounderGeorge Harrison
Distributor(s)A&M Records (1974–76)
Warner Bros. Records (1976–94)
EMI (2002–04)
Rhino (2010)
Universal Music Group (2017–2020)
BMG Rights Management (2020-present)
GenreRock, Indian classical, soul
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Official websitewww.darkhorserecords.com

Attitudes, Stairsteps and Keni Burke were among the other artists who recorded for Dark Horse, although it increasingly became a vehicle for Harrison's solo releases once Warner's had taken over distribution. After a ten-year period of inactivity, the label returned in 2002 with the posthumous release of Harrison's final studio album, Brainwashed, followed by his Dark Horse Years box set in 2004. Dark Horse Records also issued the Shankar–Harrison compilation box set Collaborations in 2010.

In March 2021, the record label released Assembly, a new remastered collection of Joe Strummer's solo work.[1]

Background

First trade ad for Dark Horse Records, August 1974

It went crazy in the end, Apple, but it did give some good people an outlet. That’s why I’m here now with Dark Horse Records – Apple didn’t shake my faith that much. Good musicians are worth encouraging.[2][3]

– George Harrison to Melody Maker, 1975

Since the formation of the Beatles' EMI-affiliated Apple Records in 1968, George Harrison had produced and helped nurture acts signed to the label, including Jackie Lomax, Billy Preston and Badfinger, all of whom were little known at the time.[4] Following the Beatles' break-up in 1970, Harrison continued in this role while maintaining a successful solo career,[5] adding prestigious signings such as Ravi Shankar and Ronnie Spector to Apple's roster.[6] By 1973, when he was producing an ambitious "East-meets-West" album by Shankar[7] and the debut by a duo from South Shields, Splinter,[8] Apple was being wound down following Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr severing their ties with Beatles manager Allen Klein.[9] While all the former Beatles were contractually obliged to EMI until 26 January 1976, as solo artists,[10][11] Harrison sought a new avenue for his extracurricular projects.[9][12] He and Starr considered buying Apple in 1973 and running it themselves,[12] but Harrison was wary of business complications associated with the label.[9][13]

In early 1974, he began a dialogue with David Geffen, head of Asylum Records in Los Angeles,[14] and, according to Tom Petty's later recollection, he also consulted Leon Russell, co-founder of Shelter Records, about setting up a label.[15] Harrison eventually agreed terms with A&M Records for the latter to distribute his new label worldwide.[16][17] For a company name, Harrison used the title of a song he had written in 1973, "Dark Horse".[18] The inspiration for the Dark Horse Records logo came from a label on a tin that Harrison found during a trip to India.[19] The logo features the seven-headed horse Uchchaisravas, a common figure in Indian art and mythology.

History

After Harrison signed with Dark Horse Records on 27 January 1976,[20] all of his subsequent recordings were released through the label, starting with that year's Thirty Three & 1/3 and ending with Live in Japan in 1992.[21][22] After the latter, it went into hiatus for ten years.

Dark Horse was distributed by A&M Records (1974–76),[23] Warner Bros. Records (1976–94)[24] and EMI (2002–04).

Dark Horse was revived with the posthumous release of Brainwashed in 2002. Harrison's back catalogue on the label was remastered and reissued as the Dark Horse Years 1976–1992 box set during 2004. In 2010, Dark Horse released the Ravi Shankar–George Harrison box set Collaborations, with distribution through Rhino Entertainment.[25]

In 2017 all original Apple and Dark Horse Records albums were reissued and distributed by Universal Music Group.

On 22 January 2020, Dark Horse signed a distribution deal with BMG Rights Management.[26] The deal marked the label's revival by Harrison's son Dhani, who announced that it had acquired Joe Strummer's catalogue.[27]

Artists

Though Dark Horse ultimately focused solely on Harrison's releases, the label also released albums by the following artists between 1974 and 1978:[21][22]

Discography

Singles
Catalogue NumberArtistTitleRelease Date

UK
US
UK
US
AMS 7133DH-10001Ravi Shankar"I Am Missing You" / "Lust"13.09.7406.11.74
AMS 7135DH-10002Splinter"Costafine Town" / "Elly May"07.11.74
AMS 5501–Splinter"Drink All Day" / "Haven't Got Time"07.02.75–
AMS 5502–Splinter"China Light" / "Drink All Day"21.02.75–
–DH-10003Splinter"China Light" / "Haven't Got Time"–07.03.75
AMS 5503–Splinter"Which Way Will I Get Home" / "Green Line Bus"07.11.75–
AMS 5505DH-10005Stairsteps"From Us to You" / "Time"30.01.7603.12.75
AMS 5504DH-10004Attitudes"Ain't Love Enough" / "The Whole World's Gone Crazy"13.02.7609.12.75
–DH-10007Splinter"Which Way Will I Get Home" / "What Is It (If You Never Ever Tried It Yourself)"–09.02.76
–DH-10006Jiva"Something's Goin' on Inside LA" / "Take My Love"–11.02.76
AMS 5506–Splinter"Half Way There" / "What Is It (If You Never Ever Tried It Yourself)"21.05.76–
AMS 5507–Stairsteps"Pasado" / "Throwin' Stones Atcha"–
–DH-10008Attitudes"Honey Don't Leave L.A." / "Lend a Hand"–31.05.76
–DH-10009Stairsteps"Tell Me Why" / "Salaam"–14.06.76
–DH-10010Splinter"After Five Years" / "Half Way There"–16.07.76
AMS 5508DH-10011Attitudes"Sweet Summer Music" / "If We Want To"20.08.7623.07.76
K 16856DRC 8294George Harrison"This Song" / "Learning How to Love You"19.11.7603.11.76
–DRC 8313George Harrison"Crackerbox Palace" / "Learning How to Love You"–24.01.77
K 16896–George Harrison"True Love" / "Pure Smokey"11.02.77–
K 16967–George Harrison"It's What You Value" / "Woman Don't You Cry for Me"31.05.77–
–DRC 8404Attitudes"Sweet Summer Music" / "Being Here with You"–13.06.77
K 17009DRC 8439Splinter"Round and Round" / "Being Here with You"06.09.77
–DRC 8474Keni Burke"Shuffle" / "From Me to You"–11.10.77
–DRC 8522Keni Burke"Day" / "Keep On Singing"–.01.78
K 17116–Splinter"New York City (Who Am I)" / "Baby Love".02.78–
–DRC 8523Splinter"Motions of Love" / "I Need Your Love"–.02.78
–DRC 8763George Harrison"Blow Away" / "Soft-Hearted Hana"–04.02.79
K 17327–George Harrison"Blow Away" / "Soft Touch"14.02.79–
K 17284–George Harrison"Love Comes to Everyone" / "Soft-Hearted Hana"20.04.79–
–DRC 8763George Harrison"Love Comes to Everyone" / "Soft Touch"–11.05.79
K 17423[1]–George Harrison"Faster" / "Your Love Is Forever"30.07.79–
K 17807DRC49725George Harrison"All Those Years Ago" / "Writing's on the Wall"11.05.8106.05.81
K 17837DRC49785George Harrison"Teardrops" / "Save the World"31.07.8115.07.81
929864-77-29864George Harrison"Wake Up My Love" / "Greece"08.11.8227.10.82
–7-29744George Harrison"I Really Love You" / "Circles"–07.02.83
W81787-28178George Harrison"Got My Mind Set on You" / "Lay His Head"12.10.8703.10.87
W81317-28131George Harrison"When We Was Fab" / "Zig Zag"25.01.8830.01.88
W79137-27913George Harrison"This Is Love" / "Breath Away from Heaven"13.06.8812.05.88
W2696–George Harrison"Cheer Down" / "Poor Little Girl"27.11.89–
R 6601[2]7243 5 52117 7 4George Harrison"Any Road" / "Marwa Blues"12.05.03–
Jakob Dylan, Dhani Harrison, Amos Lee, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson“For Real”20192019
Cat StevensHere Comes The Sun20232023
Albums
Catalogue NumberArtistTitleRelease Date

UK
US
UK
US
ST- 3350George HarrisonWonderwall Music01.11.6801.11.68
George HarrisonElectronic Sound09.05.6909.05.69
George HarrisonAll Things Must Pass27.11.7027.11.70
Jon LordGemini Suite19711971
George HarrisonConcert of Bangladesh19721972
Ravi ShankarIn Concert 197222.01.7322.01.73
George HarrisonLiving in the Material World30.05.7330.05.73
George HarrisonDark Horse09.12.7409.12.74
Jon LordWindows19741974
Ravi ShankarShankar Family & Friends20.09.7420.09.74
AMLH 22001SP-22001SplinterThe Place I Love20.09.7425.09.74
AMLH 22002SP-22002Ravi ShankarShankar Family & Friends07.10.74
SplinterThe Place I Love19741974
George HarrisonExtra Texture (Read All About It)22.09.75
SplinterHarder To Live19751975
AMLH 22003SP-22003JivaJiva31.10.7506.10.75
AMLH 22006SP-22006SplinterHarder to Live24.10.75
AMLH 22005SP-22005Henry McCulloughMind Your Own Business!20.10.75
JivaJiva19751975
Henry McCulloughMind Your Own Business!19751975
AttitudesAttitudes19751975
Cat StevensNumbers30.11.7530.11.75
Jon LordSarabande19761976
George HarrisonThirty Three & 1/319.11.7619.11.76
George HarrisonThe Best of George Harrison08.11.76
Ravi ShankarRavi Shankar's Music Festival From India23.09.7623.09.76
AMLH 22004SP-22004Stairsteps2nd Resurrection19.03.7606.02.76
AMLH 22007SP-22007Ravi ShankarRavi Shankar's Music Festival from India
AMLH 22008SP-22008AttitudesAttitudes
K 56319DH 3005George HarrisonThirty Three & 1/319.11.7624.11.76
SplinterTwo Man Band19771977
AttitudesGood News19771977
Cat StevensIzitso04.7704.77
K 56385DH 3021AttitudesGood News03.06.7705.05.77
K 563xxDH 3022Keni BurkeKeni Burke16.08.77
Keni BurkeKeni Burke19771977
K 56403DH 3073SplinterTwo Man Band07.10.7703.10.77
Cat StevensBack To Earth03.12.7803.12.78
K 56562DHK 3255George HarrisonGeorge Harrison16.02.7914.02.79
K 56870DHK 3492George HarrisonSomewhere in England05.06.8101.06.81
923 734-11-23734George HarrisonGone Troppo08.11.8227.10.82
Jon LordBefore I Forget19821982
Leon RussellHank Wilson Vol. II19841984
WX 1231-25643George HarrisonCloud Nine02.11.87
WX 3121-25726George HarrisonBest of Dark Horse 1976–198923.10.8917.10.89
Leon RussellHymns of Christmas19951995
Ravi ShankarChants of India06.05.9706.05.97
Leon RussellHank Wilson Vol. III19981998
Leon RussellFace in the Crowd19991999
Joe StrummerRock Art and the X-Ray Style18.10.9918.10.99
Leon RussellCrazy Love20002000
Joe StrummerGlobal a-Go-Go24.07.0124.07.01
Leon RussellGuitar Blues20012001
Leon RussellRhythm and Bluegrass20012001
Leon RussellSignature Songs20012001
7243 5 41969 1 x[2]George HarrisonBrainwashed18.11.02
Leon RussellMoonlight and Love Songs20022002
Joe StrummerStreetcore21.10.0321.10.03
GHBOX 1/7243 5 94232 0 3[2]CDP 7243 5 97051 0 1George HarrisonThe Dark Horse Years 1976–1992[3]23.02.04
George HarrisonLet It Roll16.06.0616.06.06
Cat StevensAn Other Cup14.11.0614.11.06
Leon RussellAngel In Disguise20062006
Collaborations Boxset
Leon RussellA Mighty Flood20082008
Leon RussellIn Your Dreams20082008
Leon RussellAlmost Piano20082008
Leon RussellBad Country20082008
Cat StevensRoadsinger05.05.0905.05.09
Leon RussellBest of Hank Wilson20092009
R2-525469–Ravi Shankar and George HarrisonCollaborations[4]19.10.10
George HarrisonEarly Takes01.05.1201.05.12
Leon RussellSnapshot20132013
Cat StevensTell ‘Em I’m Gone27.10.1427.10.14
Joe Strummer00120182018
AttitudesAin't Love Enough
Joe StrummerAssembly20212021
Joe StrummerJunco Partner (Record Store Day 12” Picture Disc Single)20212021
Billy IdolHappy Holidays20212021
Joe StrummerJohnny Appleseed (Record Store Day 12” Pink Vinyl Single)20212021
Billy IdolThe Roadside17.09.2117.09.21
Ravi ShankarI Am Missing You (RSD 12” Color Vinyl Single)20222022
Joe Strummer00220222022
Billy IdolThe Cage20222022
Dark Horse RecordsDark Horse Records The Best Of 1974-197720222022
Notes

1 Also released as a picture disc, catalog number K 17423P
2 Released by Dark Horse/Parlophone.
3 Box set of Harrison's remastered Dark Horse years albums: Thirty Three & 1/3 (1977) to Cloud Nine (1987).
4 Box set consisting of Shankar's two Harrison-produced albums on Dark Horse – Ravi Shankar's Music Festival from India and Shankar Family & Friends – together with Chants of India (1997) and a DVD containing film of a 1974 Musical Festival from India performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

See also

Bibliography

  • Badgley, Aaron (2023). Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison’s Post-Beatles Record Label. Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK: Sonicbond. ISBN 9781789522877.

References

Sources

  • Keith Badman, The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001, Omnibus Press (London, 2001; ISBN 0-7119-8307-0).
  • Alan Clayson, George Harrison, Sanctuary (London, 2003; ISBN 1-86074-489-3).
  • Peter Doggett, You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup, It Books (New York, NY, 2011; ISBN 978-0-06-177418-8).
  • The Editors of Rolling Stone, Harrison, Rolling Stone Press/Simon & Schuster (New York, NY, 2002; ISBN 0-7432-3581-9).
  • Chris Hunt (ed.), NME Originals: Beatles – The Solo Years 1970–1980, IPC Ignite! (London, 2005).
  • Ian Inglis, The Words and Music of George Harrison, Praeger (Santa Barbara, CA, 2010; ISBN 978-0-313-37532-3).
  • Peter Lavezzoli, The Dawn of Indian Music in the West, Continuum (New York, NY, 2006; ISBN 0-8264-2819-3).
  • Simon Leng, While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison, Hal Leonard (Milwaukee, WI, 2006; ISBN 1-4234-0609-5).
  • Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium, 44.1 Productions (Chesterfield, MO, 2000; ISBN 0-615-11724-4).
  • Robert Rodriguez, Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980, Backbeat Books (Milwaukee, WI, 2010; ISBN 978-1-4165-9093-4).
  • Bruce Spizer, The Beatles Solo on Apple Records, 498 Productions (New Orleans, LA, 2005; ISBN 0-9662649-5-9).
  • Gary Tillery, Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison, Quest Books (Wheaton, IL, 2011; ISBN 978-0-8356-0900-5).
  • Bob Woffinden, The Beatles Apart, Proteus (London, 1981; ISBN 0-906071-89-5).

External links

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