Label Guide: Purple
Purple Records is a record label established in 1971 by Deep Purple's management when band members increasingly started their own solo and side projects. All releases were distributed by EMI as Purple's parent company.
An interesting detail comes with the label's numbering system for its catalogue where the prefix 'TPS' usually indicates a single sleeve and 'TPSA' a gatefold sleeve release. The label was run until 1979.
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1. Label Variation
first Purple label (1971 - early 1974)
The early releases on Purple should have the above label. The top rim text starts with 'THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD', which is the original name of EMI recording company before its 1931 merger into 'Electric and Musical Industries Limited (EMI)'. The old name was still in use on record sleeves and labels until the end of 1973.
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2. Label Variation
second Purple label (early 1974 - 1979)
In 1974 EMI's company title changed from 'The Gramophone Company Limited' to 'EMI Records Limited', hence the text 'EMI RECORDS LTD' appears on all future releases at the top rim.
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Custom Label
custom Purple label (1976)
A custom label design for Deep Purple's Made In Europe in 1976.