ABSTRACT
A company founded in New York by Clive Davis, following his removal from Columbia in 1973. Davis took over the old Bell label, which was owned by Columbia Pictures Industries (not to be confused with CBS/Columbia), although he quickly changed its name and direction. Among his first big signings was Barry Manilow, whose “Mandy,” released in 1974, was both the new label’s first single and its first number one. Arista acquired Savoy in 1975. As one of the principal American independents, Arista divided a 30 percent share of the independent market with Ariola in the early 1980s; both labels would merge with RCA in 1983 (eventually becoming part of the Bertelsmann Music Group [BMG]). As he had at Columbia, Davis was actively involved in developing Arista’s roster of artists; he helped revive the careers of earlier hitmakers like Aretha Franklin. His most successful new discovery was Whitney Houston, a major seller during the late 1980s and 1990s. Davis continued to run the label until he was forcibly retired at the end of 2000. He was replaced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, previously co-owner of LaFace Records with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. [Website: https://www.arista.com./]
A Scottish equipment firm located in Prestwick. It had specialized in turntables, but has diversified into amplifiers and most recently into complete systems for both vinyl discs and CDs, priced in midrange.
