Label Guide: Caribou

Caribou Records was an American label founded by producer James William Guercio, named after his famous Caribou Ranch Recording Studio in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Guercio was manager of the band Chicago when he left Hollywood in 1971 to set up a state-of-the-art studio on his extensive middle-of-nowhere property in the mountains, and the place grew to become one of the most legendary recording places in the industry.

Over 150 artists recorded albums at Caribou Ranch, including Joe Walsh, Rick Derringer, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, U2, Chicago, Billy Joel, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Supertramp, Frank Zappa and Earth, Wind & Fire. The studio was in operation until it was destroyed in a fire in March 1985. The story of Caribou Ranch is currently developed for a film project by Randall Miller and Jody Savin.

Caribou Records as a record label came into operation in the mid-1970s (about 1976) and lasted until the late 1980s. It was distributed by CBS Records.