A&M Records

A&M Records was started in 1962 by partners [a=Herb Alpert] and [a=Jerry Moss], hence the A&M (Alpert & Moss).
Their first release (following two singles released under the label name [l=Carnival Records (4)]) was "The Lonely Bull" by [a=Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass], which sold around 700,000 copies. Sixteen of the first 25 albums were certified gold by the RIAA and helped A&M become a major label and ultimately the world's largest independent record company.

Label code for royalty payments: LC 0485 / LC 00485

One method of identifying pressings is by a single-letter code printed on the center labels:
A = [l=Sonic Recording Products, Inc.] (until ca. 1975) or (1975-1980s)
B =
C = (through 1984) or (1985–1986)
R =
W =
X =
Y =
Z =

A&M label history https://www.onamrecords.com/labels/a-m-records/146447/history

European A&M releases started using the PolyGram xxxxxx-x catalogue numbers at the end of 1984. Any release with such a number is after that date.

In Japan, the A&M Records imprint is managed by [l=Universal Sigma] and is independent of Interscope.

Some notable events over the years, courtesy of On A&M Records.com:
1967: Started distributing [l=CTI Records] in a deal that ran until 1970.
1967: The [l=A&M Studios] were installed in Hollywood, California. The label first appeared in the UK, distributed by Pye.
1969: [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Ltd.]A&M Records Ltd.[/url] opened in Great Britain.
1970: [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/A%26M+Records+Of+Canada+Limited]A&M Records Of Canada Limited[/url] was established.
1977: A&M opened an office in Europe. It was called A&M Records Europe S.A. and based in Paris. Titles were manufactured and distributed by [l=CBS] in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
1979: Started distributing [l=I.R.S. Records]. This deal continued until 1985.
1982: Started distributing the folk/new age label [l=Windham Hill Records]. This deal continued until 1989.
1987: Started distributing [l=Twin Tone Records] (selected titles) and [l=Nimbus Records].
1988: Launched sub-label [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/Vendetta+Records+(2)]Vendetta Records[/url] in NYC. It was shut down in 1990.
1989: A&M was sold to [l=PolyGram], but operated under Alpert and Moss's leadership until 1993. The sale included A&M of Canada and Britain and was effective January 1, 1990.
1991: Agreement signed with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to launch [l=Perspective Records]. It was shut down in 1996.
1993: Unhappy with the increased integration of the label into the PolyGram corporate structure, Alpert & Moss left A&M and start a new label, [l=Almo Sounds].
1995: Three year agreement signed with producer [a=Ric Wake] to form [l=DV8 Records].
1999: PolyGram becomes part of the international [l=Universal Music Group].
1999: A&M is made part of the [l=Interscope Geffen A&M] division of Universal.
2004: [l=Universal Sigma] begins using the A&M Records imprint for domestic Japanese releases (operating independently of Interscope/Geffen/A&M).
2006: A&M Records is made a frontline label in the UK.
2007: Universal merges A&M with [l=Octone] Records and places Octone's management in charge of combined label as [l=A&M/Octone Records] (except in Japan and the UK).
2013: A&M/Octone is absorbed by Interscope.

Despite the label's absorption, its core artist [a=Sting] managed to release his music for Interscope Geffen A&M (now [l=Interscope Capitol Labels Group]) post-2013 under the A&M name; his recent release under the defunct imprint was 2021's [url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2386273][i]The Bridge[/i][/url].