Zoo Entertainment (record label)

Zoo Entertainment was an American record label formed in 1990 by Lou Maglia. Zoo released three platinum Tool records, as well as gold records by Green Jellÿ and Matthew Sweet. During its early, successful years, music industry executive George Daly was the label's original Vice President of A&R.

This article is about the American record label. For the British independent label, see Zoo Records.
Zoo Entertainment
Parent companyBMG (1991-1996)
Volcano (1996-1997)
Sony Music Entertainment (current)
Founded1990 (1990)
FounderLou Maglia
StatusDefunct since 1997
Distributor(s)Volcano
GenreAlternative rock
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles (1991-1996)
New York City (1996-1997)[1]

History

The label was formed in 1990 by industry icon Lou Maglia (former president of Island Records). As early as 1993, Zoo was having financial difficulties.[2] The record label also distributed Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records for a short time. Being its distributor, the late Phyllis Hyman enjoyed a #1 R&B hit with "Don't Wanna Change The World," a song that was taken to US radio by radio promoter Jesus Garber, then a VP at Zoo.

In 1995, BMG reduced the staff at Zoo, foreshadowing problems for the label.[3]

In August 1996, BMG sold Zoo to Kevin Czinger's newly formed Volcano Entertainment.[1] It began as a partnership between the two labels, but by the end of 1997 the Zoo name had been phased out. All of Zoo's artists were absorbed by the new Volcano imprint. Volcano went through changes and was eventually sold to the Zomba Label Group in the spring of 1998. When Zomba was purchased by BMG in 2002, any remaining Zoo artists were returned to the BMG fold. BMG's assets were sold in 2008 to Sony Corporation of America and the back catalog is now handled by Sony Music Group through Volcano.

Artists

See also

References
  1. Taylor, Tess (1996-11-01). "An Interview with Lou Maglia". National Association of Record Industry Professionals. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  2. Haring, Bruce (1993-04-16). "Sedona files breach suit against BMG". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  3. "BMG Entertainment Restructures Two Core Record Labels Paving The Road To Success". Business Wire. 1995-02-07. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
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