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Goldie, Bananarama and boat trips with the Spice Girls: the hedonistic madness of 90s label London Records
From synthpop to drum’n’bass, the company had a roster of edgy stars – and let them do what they wanted. As a new podcast is launched, artists and staff remember the extreme work environment
TL;DR
- London Records, once part of Decca, became an independent label with major distribution, aiming to be a cool, identifiable pop label with an edge.
- The label was known for its hedonistic and party-centric atmosphere, with artists and staff recalling heavy drug use and wild lifestyles.
- Key signings like Bronski Beat in 1984 marked a turning point, establishing the label's identity and its willingness to market artists authentically.
- London Records had multiple imprints, most notably FFRR for dance music, and its roster included artists such as Orbital, East 17, All Saints, and Goldie.
- The label's ethos was driven by creating hits, often signing acts that were 'slightly left of centre' rather than mainstream successes.
- London Records was fined for chart hyping in 1991, a practice confirmed by staff and artists as common within the industry at the time.
- The label acquired the catalogue of Factory Records after its bankruptcy, further diversifying its eclectic roster.
- The extreme culture and excess at London Records inspired John Niven's novel 'Kill Your Friends'.
- Despite the excesses, many artists recall London Records as a place that offered creative freedom and enabled them to achieve their artistic visions.
- The label failed to recognize the potential of the internet in 1994, a missed opportunity that later proved to be significant.
- The 'magic' of London Records faded in the late 1990s after its parent company was sold, with the 90s remaining its peak years.