Label Guide: Liberty
Liberty Records, was founded in 1955 by Simon Waronker in Hollywood, California. Liberty recordings were first distributed in the UK on London Records, then by EMI, before the label opened a branch office in London in 1967. In 1968, Liberty was bought by an American insurance company and combined with their other label United Artists Records. Two years later they shut down Imperial and Minit and transferred their artists to Liberty.
Finally in 1971, Liberty artists were shifted to United Artists Records and Liberty Records ceased to exist. EMI obtained the rights of the Liberty labels in 1979 and one year later it dropped the United Artists name and revived the Liberty name, initially to reissue the United Artists, Liberty and Imperial catalogues.
-
1. UK Label Variation
first UK Liberty label ( - 1960)
The first black label of the late 1950s, before the 'RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED...' line was added to the UK labels.
-
2. UK Label Variation
second UK Liberty label (1960 - 1964)
The second version of the black label includes the 'RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED...' line, but not the 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions. see price lists' text. This indicates an early 1960s pressing.
-
3. UK Label Variation
third UK Liberty label (1964 - 1967)
The text 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions. see price lists' indicates a pressing after February 1964. For all EMI-distributed labels in the UK, this text must be present on the label for all original pressings, released between February 1964 and July 1969.
-
4. UK Label Variation
blue UK Liberty label (1967 - 1970)
This first blue label is the original label for Liberty's U.K. division that began to release albums in 1967. It was in use until 1970 and all original pressings of 1960s Liberty albums should have this label design.
-
5. UK Label Variation
black UK Liberty label (1970 - late 1971)
In 1970 the UK label was changed to this black design that was also used for 1970/71 pressings of Liberty albums that previously came with the blue label.
-
6. UK Label Variation
modern UK Liberty label (1980s)
The modern UK Liberty label, here a reissue of a Buzzcocks albums that was formerly released on United Artists Records.
-
1. US Label Variation (I)
first US Liberty label (1955 - 1960)
The original US label was blueish green with silver printing, later stereo pressings used the same design in black.
-
1. US Label Variation (II)
first US Liberty label (1955 - 1960)
There are several colour and text variations over the first years of the label.
-
2. US Label Variation
second US Liberty label (1960 - 1966)
The second US label introduced a Liberty crest logo as a bridge between the main black background and the rainbow-coloured part on the left side of the label.
-
3. US Label Variation
US Liberty Premier Series label (1960s)
The Liberty Premier Series was a special series of supposedly 'premium quality' records, started in 1960. The labels were black print on gold.
-
4. US Label Variation
modern US Liberty label (1980s)
The modern label of the 1980s had a new scripted and rainbow coloured label on a tan background.
-
1. German Label Variation
German Liberty label (1960s)
An early 1960's label design from Germany.
-
2. German Label Variation
German Liberty label (1980s)
The modern version of the Liberty label, here from Germany.