Imperial Records is an American record company and label started in 1947 by Lew Chudd. The label was reactivated in 2006 by EMI, which owned the label and back catalogue at the time. Imperial is owned by Universal Music Group.

Early years to 1979

When Imperial was founded in 1947, it concentrated on rhythm and blues (R&B) and country music: Fats Domino, Frankie Ford, Ricky Nelson, and Slim Whitman.

Imperial bought Aladdin in 1961 and Minit Records in 1963, having distributed Minit since 1960.

Under Liberty's management, the label enjoyed success with Irma Thomas, Johnny Rivers, Jackie DeShannon, Classics IV, and Cher.

In February 2026, the account name of the instagram page of Imperial Music was changed to Universal Records.

Label variations

  • Early 1950s to 1954: Blue label with "IMPERIAL" in script letters at the top; 78-RPM counterparts have red labels)
  • 1954–1955: Red label with "IMPERIAL" in script (also silver block) letters at the top
  • 1955–1957: Maroon label with "IMPERIAL" in silver block letters at the top
  • 1957–1963: Black label with colored rays and "IMPERIAL" in white block letters at the top; stereo album counterparts have black labels with silver lettering
  • 1964–1966: Black, white and magenta label with I-R logo in a black box on the left side, "IMPERIAL" under the logo, and "A SUBSIDIARY OF LIBERTY RECORDS" at the bottom
  • 1966–1969: Black and lime green label with I-R logo in a red box on the left side, "IMPERIAL" under the logo, "A PRODUCT OF LIBERTY RECORDS" under "IMPERIAL" and "A DIVISION OF LIBERTY RECORDS"
  • 1970: Black and lime green label with I-R logo in a red box on the left side, "IMPERIAL" (in slightly larger letters than the previous label) under the logo, and "LIBERTY/UA, INC"

Imperial Records artists (1947–1970)

  • Doris Akers (1953) (IM-694)
  • Jeff Alexander
  • Zane Ashton (Bill Aken)
  • Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
  • Dave Bartholomew
  • Lee Bedford, Jr.
  • Elmer Bernstein
  • Joe Bill (DeAngelo)
  • The Bonzo Dog Band
  • James Booker
  • Billy Briggs
  • Mel Carter
  • Papa Celestin
  • Paul Chambers
  • Cher
  • Petula Clark
  • Classics IV
  • Clay Cole
  • Albert Collins
  • Kenneth Copeland
  • Sugar Boy Crawford
  • Sonny Criss
  • Sonny Curtis
  • Wild Bill Davis
  • Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich
  • Jackie DeShannon
  • Fats Domino
  • Dukes of Dixieland
  • Georgie Fame
  • The Fantastic Baggys
  • Freddy Fender
  • The Fender IV
  • Ralph Flanagan
  • Frankie Ford
  • Pete Fountain
  • Kim Fowley
  • Ernie Freeman
  • George Girard
  • Bob Harrington
  • Peppermint Harris
  • Ray Harrison Orchestra
  • Duke Henderson
  • Adolph Hofner
  • The Hollies
  • The Irresistibles
  • Betty Kay
  • Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas
  • Smiley Lewis
  • George Liberace
  • Bob Luman
  • Harley Luse and His Orchestra
  • The Majors
  • Wingy Manone
  • Warne Marsh
  • Reginald G. Marshall
  • Punch Miller
  • Garnet Mimms
  • The Misfits
  • Bill Mooney and his Cactus Twisters
  • Carl Myles
  • Ozzie Nelson
  • Ricky Nelson
  • Sandy Nelson
  • The O'Jays
  • Don Ralke
  • Bo Rhambo
  • Johnny Rivers
  • Weldon Rogers
  • Leonard Rosenman
  • Santo & Johnny
  • Sheriff John
  • Dorothy Simmons (1953) (IM-693)
  • Huey "Piano" Smith
  • Johnny Spencer & the Kona Koasters (1959) (LP-9076)
  • The Spiders
  • April Stevens
  • The Sunshine Company
  • The Swinging Blue Jeans
  • The Teddy Bears
  • Irma Thomas
  • Al Toft and His Orchestra
  • T-Bone Walker
  • Slim Whitman
  • Tim Whitsett
  • Lester Williams
  • Lew Williams
  • Warren Zevon

Later artists

  • Fat Joe
  • MC Jin
  • Rasheeda
  • Julian Park
  • The Score

References