A&M Records Collection of Business Papers, Sound Recordings, Music
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http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0779q1nw No online items Finding Aid for the A&M Records Collection of business papers, sound recordings, music manuscripts, and memorabilia, 1959-1992 Processed by UCLA Performing Arts Special Collections staff, 2008, 2010, 2013; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé. UCLA Library, Performing Arts Special Collections Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/ © 2008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. 269 1 Descriptive Summary Title: A&M Records Collection of business papers, sound recordings, music manuscripts, and memorabilia Date (inclusive): 1959-1992 Collection number: 269 Creator: A&M Records (Firm) Extent: 192 boxes. Abstract: The collection consists of sound recordings, manuscript musical arrangements, photographs, correspondence, promotional materials, posters, gold albums, awards, books and ephemera from just prior to the company's founding in 1962 through its sale to Polygram in 1989 and a few years thereafter, while Moss and Alpert were still affiliated with the label. The collection is in the midst of being procesed. The finding aid will be updated periodically. Language: Finding aid is written in English. Language of the Material: Materials are in English. Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections. Los Angeles, California 90095-1575 Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information. Restrictions on Access Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information. Restrictions on Use and Reproduction Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright. Provenance/Source of Acquisition Gift of Jerry Moss; Herb Alpert; March 2005. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], A&M Records Collection of business papers, sound recordings, music manuscripts, and memorabilia (Collection Number 269). UCLA Library Performing Arts Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. Biography/History Founded in 1962 in Los Angeles by Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert, A&M Records became America's largest independent record company. Both men were born in 1935, Alpert in Los Angeles and Moss in New York. The two met in the early 1960s, when Alpert was writing and recording songs and Moss was an independent record promoter. Their social acquaintance quickly became a partnership when in 1962 the two formed Carnival Records, based in Alpert's garage. With contributions of $100 from each man, the company released the single "Tell It to the Birds." After discovering later that year that the Carnival name was already in use, Alpert and Moss created the company's new name from the initials of their last names. A&M Records' first release, the single "The Lonely Bull" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, came out in August 1962. It reached number six on the Billboard charts and sold some 700,000 copies, setting the tone for the band's and the company's success. Other best-selling Tijuana Brass albums followed, including "Whipped Cream and Other Delights" and "What Now My Love." Led by the success of the Tijuana Brass, A&M revenue topped $50 million by 1968; by the end of the decade the group had sold some 45 million albums. From its founding A&M worked with recording artists other than the Tijuana Brass, and its roster featured many of the top pop and rock acts from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, including Bryan Adams, Burt Bacharach, Joan Baez, the Baja Marimba Band, the Captain and Tennille, the Carpenters, Cheech and Chong, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Lani Hall, Janet Jackson, Joe Jackson, Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, the Neville Brothers, Jeffrey Osborne, the Police, Squeeze, Cat Stevens, Sting, Styx, Supertramp, and the Tubes, among many others. Also issued by the label were a number of jazz composers and performers, including Gato Barbieri, Quincy Jones and Paul Winter as well as some late recordings by Chet Baker and Stan Getz. In 1989 Alpert and Moss sold A&M records to PolyGram Records. Scope and Content The collection includes sound recordings, manuscript musical arrangements, photographs, correspondence, promotional materials, posters, gold albums, awards, books and ephemera from just prior to the company's founding in 1962 through its 269 2 sale to Polygram in 1989 and a few years thereafter, while Moss and Alpert were still affiliated with the label. Organization and Arrangement Arranged in the following series: Series 1. Awards. 72 items Series 2. Business Papers Series 3. Correspondence Series 4. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Series 5. Music Series 6. Miscellaneous Series 7. Photographs Series 8. Production Information Series 10. Sound Recordings Series 11. Video Recordings, 1983-1991 Indexing Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Subjects Alpert, Herb. Moss, Jerry. A&M Records (Firm) --Archives. Sound recording industry --United States --Archival resources. Music --Manuscripts. Box 82, Folder 4 Financial papers through 1969 1965-1969 Scope and Content Note Various financial documents including assorted statements, receipts, sales projections and recaps, expenses, and other information. Box 169, Folder 1 Radio spots Scope and Content Note Contains copy of assorted radio spots by Herb Alpert and others. Box 178, Folder 1 TV Show project, draft proposal 1990 July 7 Physical Description: 7 p. Scope and Content Note Draft proposal for a weekly television series targeted at popular culture. 269 3 Awards Series 1. Assorted Awards Subseries 1.1960-1986 Awards Series 1. Physical Description: 72 items Scope and Content Note This series predominantly consists of RIAA gold records and other industry awards. See also: Series 5, sub-series 1 for awards to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Arrangement This series consists of three sub-series: Assorted Awards; Grammy Awards Souvenir Scrapbooks, and Platinum and Gold Records. Assorted Awards Subseries 1. 1960-1986 Arrangement Arranged chronologically. Scope and Content Note Includes citations of achievements as well as NARAS (National Association of Recorded Arts and Sciences) awards. Box 149 State of California, Senate Rules Committee Resolution by President pro Tempore David Roberti; relative to commending Herb Alpert. 1986 May 30 Scope and Content Note Senate Rules Committee Resolution No. 1874, that Herb Alpert be extended the special honors and commendations of the people of California for his exemplary musical talent and ability, his business acumen, and his many community contributions. Box 167, Folder 1 To Herb Alpert, from the President of Puerto Rico, celebrating 27 years Physical Description: 17" x 6", plaque General note On plaque: Por sus 27 años en la musica instrumental en todos los tiempos. Ayer, hoy y siempre. Box 167, Folder 3 United States Commander Berlin recognizes Herbert Alpert, A Guardian of Berlin's Freedom 1966 October 1 Physical Description: 12.5" x 17.5", framed Box 168, Folder Herb Alpert, an Honorary Citizen of New Orleans 1977 August 8 18 Scope and Content Note Certificate presented by the Mayor and members of City Council, New Orleans. Box 168, Folder Certificate of Dedication to Herb Alpert, for the Cities in Schools Sub-School at 19 Jordan L. Mott Junior High School. 1979 October 15 Scope and Content Note Certificate for the dedication of the Cities in Schools Sub-School at Jordan L. Mott Junior High School in the New York City Public Schools District 9, as The Herb Alpert Sub School. Box 168, Folder City of Los Angeles Commendation presented to Herb Alpert. 1987 November 18 20 Scope and Content Note Commendation from Tom Bradley, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, extends congratulations and best wishes for continued success. 269 4 Awards Series 1. Assorted Awards Subseries 1.1960-1986 Box 168, Folder Citation of Achievement presented by Broadcast Music, Inc., to Irving Music, Inc. 21 1968 Scope and Content Note Citation of Achievement presented by Broadcast Music, Inc., to Herb Alpert for "Classical Gas." Box 168, Folder Citation of Achievement presented by Broadcast Music, Inc., to Irving Music, Inc. 22 1968 Scope and Content Note Citation of Achievement presented by Broadcast Music, Inc., to Herb Alpert for "Carmen." Box 168, Folder BMI Citation of Acievement to Irving Music, Inc. for "Windy." 1968 23 Physical Description: 12.5" x 18" General note Certificate reads: in recognition of great national popularity, as measured by broadcast performances, attained by Windy. Box 168, Folder Three Citations of Achievement to Herb Alpert for "Wonderful World." 24 Physical Description: 12" x 16" General note Each citation reads: "in recognition of the great national popularity . attained by 'Wonderful World'." Box 168, Folder Herb Alpert Day, Metropolitan Dade County, Florida. 1974 November 19 25 Physical Description: 15" x 18" Scope and Content Note Proclamation by Stephen P. Clark, Mayor of Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, celebrating Tuesday, November 19, 1974, as Herb Alpert Day. Box 168, Folder NARAS certificate presented to producers Herb Alpert and Randy Badazz for the 29 Best Pop Instrumental Performance of the Year, "Rise." 1979 Physical Description: 16" x 20" Box 172, Folder 5 County of Los Angeles Commends Herb Alpert for His Dedicated Community Service 1986 June 13 Physical Description: 12.5 x 21.5" Scope and Content Note Certificate in folder, presented to Herb Alpert by the County of Los Angeles in commendation of his dedicated community service and honor given by The City of Hope.