A&M RECORDS OF CANADA, LTD. HISTORY

A&M RECORDS CANADA HISTORY: THE 1960s

1964       1965       1966       1967       1968       1969      

Until February 1970, when A&M Records of Canada was established, A&M recordings from the United States were licensed to Quality Records. A&M had at least 24 singles on the Canadian pop charts. An incredible 15 singles made the Top 10 and 21 were in the Top 20. The first A&M artist to chart was We Five with "You Were On My Mind" which was a Top 5 hit. In 1967 and 1968, A&M had three #1 singles: Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale," Boyce and Hart's "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite" and Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love with You."

1962: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1964: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1965: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1966: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1967: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1968: A&M RECORDS RADIO AND RETAIL CONTESTS

A&M's distributor Quality Records ran a two-week long radio contest to promote Herb Alpert's Ninth and the Baja Marimba Band's Fowl Play albums. Callers who knew the names of these albums won the complete Alpert catalog. Listeners who submitted drawings of fowl received the Baja catalog. 

Quality Records also ran a competition for record stores. August was "Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Month," The stores competed by creating window displays. There was a winner named in each of the provinces.

The album A Taste of A&M was released and became Quality Records' No. 1 top seller across Canada.

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1969: A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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A&M RECORDS CANADA HISTORY 1970s

1971       1972       1973       1974       1975       1976       1977       1978       1979      

1970: FOUNDING A&M RECORDS OF CANADA, LTD.

When A&M decided it wanted to do more than distribute its U.S. recordings in Canada--it wanted to find and develop Canadian recording artists and songwriters--the search began for Canadians to run the business. A&M Records of Canada had only one president throughout its existence, Gerry Lacoursiere. Gerry was a Canadian who had worked in the U.S. record industry.

With an unofficial opening on February 2, A&M Records of Canada officially opened on February 23, 1970, with four employees. 

A&M Records Canada, Ltd. was set up as an independent Canadian record company. Gerry Lacoursiere was the managing director. David Brodeur was named to head sales promotion. Lacoursiere then hired a bookkeeper, an inventory control person, and a switchboard operator. Liam Mullan was the next person hired as the promotion coordinator. The first office was located at 255 Yorkland Blvd., Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. The first singles were set for release on March 7. 

In June Liam Mullan was promoted to director from his position as the Ontario district sales and promotion manager.

A&M Canada's original manufacturing deal was with Keel Record Manufacturing of Canada, Ltd., and distribution arrangements with Capitol Records (territory from Kingston to Vancouver); London Records (the Ottawa Valley, Quebec Province and Gaspe), and Canadian Assemblies (the Atlantic Provinces). (Lacoursiere bought back all of the unsold Quality pressings.) In March, A&M Canada decided to create four-color album liners as a promotional tool. The use of album liners in Canadian pop albums had stopped in 1966 due to production costs.

A&M was one of many labels that Quality Records distributed. Lacoursiere told RPM, "I didn't realize the lack of impact A&M had in Canada. I think because of the fact that a licensee is not interested in creating a label image, so everything was Tijuana Brass and Sergio Mendes--not A&M Records. They were promoting the artist--not the label." He continued, "Usually when you open up you have your own people in a given area and you should do better because they are concentrating on one thing...But if we only hd A&M, we could put out our thirteen albums a year and work them properly, and do a good promotion job."

The original headquarters was at 255 Yorkland Blvd., Willowdale, Ontario.

Distributors included Capitol Records (Canada) Ltd., London Records of Canada, Ltd. and Canadian Assemblies.

"We own every single out there until the consumer buys it. They all come back to us if they're not sold. Every record we sell is guaranteed. Every record, single or album sitting in a warehouse because it doesn't sell, eventually ends up back here where it's scrapped. We scrap every record. No deletes at all."--Joe Summers in RPM November 9, 1974

The "scrap, no delete" policy was Gerry Lacoursiere's idea. He implemented it upon opening A&M Canada. A&M Records in the U.S. adopted the policy.

In March, A&M broke the suspension of inner album sleeves by creating a four-color sleeve as a promotional tool. The first singles were set for release on March 3.

The first album worked by A&M Records Canada was a compilation album The Cream Of the Cream. It was specially priced at $1.98. It featured  Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, the Baja Marimba Band and Wes Montgomery. The first A&M Records U.S. albums to be released by A&M Canada were the Greatest Hits series by many of the same artists showcased in Cream Of the Cream. A&M created radio ads and in-store racks for the Greatest Hits series. With the release of the Carpenters and Joe Cocker albums, A&M provided retailers with full-color catalogs, stand-up store displays, and Joe Cocker posters and buttons.

RPM Weekly ran this advertorial on A&M Canada on April 28: A&M Records Profile in RPM

A&M Canada distributed Shelter Records in Canada.

In June, A&M Canada was gaining success promoting Ron Davies "It Ain't Easy," Merry Clayton's "Gimme Shelter", Carpenters "Close to You" and biggest of all Miguel Rios "Song Of Joy." The first #1 hit single on the Canadian pop chart that A&M Canada worked was "A Song of Joy" by Miguel Rios, again a U.S. export, which topped the chart in July 1970. It was a Top 10 hit on Cash Box and continued to sell for the next five years.

In September, A&M offered dealers discounts on all A&M products except the new Carpenters and Joe Cocker albums. A&M provided color catalogs, stand-up displays, Joe Cocker buttons and posters, and Greatest Hits racks and radio ads.

A&M Canada had a total of three #1 singles. The label often chose one Province where it would promote a new single. If the single gained good airplay and reaction, A&M would consider releasing it to other Provinces where it did well or nationally. 

Throughout its history, A&M Canada would very successfully promote A&M products placing more than 300 singles on Canada's music charts. A&M Canada began working the song in March 1970 securing airplay on the giant radio stations in Toronto plus an initial shipment of 35,000 singles.

The year ended with producer Harry Hinde signing a deal that gave A&M first option on all of his productions. The first release was Tundra's single "Band Bandit."

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1971: A&M CANADA SIGNS ITS FIRST CANADIAN ARTISTS

The first Canadian A&M artist was Tundra, brought to A&M by Harry Hinde and signed in 1971. They produced the Top 30 hit "Band Bandit." The single won a Maple Leaf Award. Also signed Terry McManus.

Liam Mullan was promoted to the sales and promotion manager for the Canadian West Coast. He had been the national promotion director. Mullan was succeeded by Pete Beauchamp. Also hired was Joe Summers as the national sales manager. Joe Woodhouse was the Ontario Promotion Manager. David Brodeur was the sales and promotion manager for the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec Province. Brian Coombs was the sales and promotion manager for Ontario.

A&M Canada signed Terry McManus to an artist-publishing deal. The first single was "Sunshower in the Spring."

In July A&M announced that it had moved its distribution from Capitol to MDC Distribution, Joy Music, and Taylor, Pearson & Carson for Ontario through British Columbia. London Records serviced eastern Ontario and Quebec. Canadian Assembies handled the Atlantic Provinces.

Also in July, A&M reduced it suggested retail price of single albums from $6.29 to $5.98. Double albums and twin pack tapes remained at 10.98.

Canadian artists Chilliwack were signed to A&M Canada after their contract with A&M in the U.S. ended. Also signed Terry McManus.

The "No Rip Off" series launched in October with Rockin' the Fillmore by Humble Pie, Booker T. & Priscilla and Chilliwack's debut album

In November, A&M announced that the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) would award gold disks to ten of its albums. The albums were:

Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Joe Cocker, With a Little Help from My Friends--Joe Cocker
Close to You, Carpenters--Carpenters
Tea for the Tillerman, Teaser and the Firecat--Cat Stevens
Greatest Hits--Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
Tapestry--Carole King

Tea for the Tillerman spent over one year on Canada's album chart and Teaser and the Firecat was certified gold on the day of its release.

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

A&M developed 12 television ads to run in the days before Christmas. The artists promoted were Chilliwack, Carole King, and Cat Stevens. 

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1972: EXPANDING A&M RECORDS CANADA

A Foot in Coldwater and Lorence Hud signed in 1972. In 1973, both gave A&M Canada a Top 30 hit. Also signed in 1972, Greg Adams.

In February Taylor, Pearson and Carson became the distributor for Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In March A&M announced it had radio specials of the Carpenters and Cat Stevens offered free to programmers. 

As of August 1, the A&M Toronto office moved to 120 Milner Avenue, Agincourt, Ontario, Canada. The new office was larger and had a warehouse. 

The Montreal Branch Office opened with sales and distribution responsibilities.

In September, Jerry Moss entered a two-year deal to distribute Haida Records in Canada. Through Haida, A&M distributed recordings by Valdy, Clare Lawrence, Spring, Thumrock and Stallion Thumrock. The first recording under the deal was "Rock and Roll Music/Hello Mr. Record Man" by Valdy.

Several television ads supporting Procol Harum were developed and aired.

A&M Records Canada released 60 albums and 57 singles during 1972. Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens spent a year on Canada's national chart.

Joe Summers was hired as the National Sales Manager with a sales staff of four people. In 1978, he became A&M Canada's general manager/vice president. The theme for the fall campaign was "A&M Will Take You Higher." Plans included a retail window display contest, a 3-month television campaign and restocking program.

A&M Canada held its first national and sales promotion meeting in September. It included individual marketing practices with each sales and promotion person.

In December Colin Macdonald was named Campus Radio Promotion Manager.

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1973: PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION AT A&M CANADA

"If you look and analyze our company today, you'll find that we have more promotion people than we have sales people...[Promotion is] where it all starts. But we have to have good merchandise...So your big thing has to be promotion. You need that hit single to create a saleable item. From there your merchandising takes over."

"You put out a good album, you merchandise it properly, advertise and promote it properly, and if the album has it, you have a hit album."

"I think every artist we have has international potential; we try to build it...If We have a hit internationally that Canadian act more than pays for himself and gives us a profit that allows us to produce more recorded product."--Gerry Lacoursiere, RPM October 13, 1973

Lacoursiere told RPM that if a single sold more than 30,000 units in Canada it was a good seller. 

A&M Canada introduced its monthly information sheet about new albums and singles, tour information and other news for retailers titled "Hype." The first issue was dated April 2, 1973.

Keith Hampshire signed to A&M Canada in 1973 and gave his new label three Top 10 singles that year including the #1 "The First Cut Is the Deepest." Valdy sold 15,500 copies of his second album in just five weeks. On October 15, 1973, the new A&R and publishing house opened.

Five of A&M Canada's artists had albums released in foreign markets: Keith Hampshire's The First Cut Is the Deepest was released in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, and Australia. Lorence Hud was in the U.K., several European countries, South Africa, Barbados and Japan. Sound '80 was issued in Venezuela, Barbados and South Africa. Haida artists Valdy and Clare Lawrence had albums out in South Africa.

A&M Canada was the first label to release a quadrophonic album. Albums by Joan Baez, Carpenters and Carole King were among the first. Rick Wakeman's The Six Wives of Henry VIII and it was released in both SQ and QS formats. A&M also released quadrophonic tapes.

Harry Hinde brought Phyllis Brown to A&M's artist roster. She changed her professional name to Charity Brown.

By mid-year, Haida Records was dormant.

A two-year distribution deal with Goldfish Records for Chilliwack, Greenfield, Susan Jacks and Terry Jacks. A&M acquired the distribution rights for Much Productions, Ltd., Sweet Plum, Fleur Aquarius and Clic.

Gerry Lacoursiere was promoted to vice president and general manager of A&M Records of Canada, Ltd. He also became the VP for Almo/Irving Music. Colin Cross became the first Ontario Sales Manager; Bob Roper the Ontario Promotion Manager; Charly Vance (AKA Provost) the Quebec Promotion Manager, and Doug Chappell promoted to National Coordinator of Promo and Special Projects. Pete Beauchamp from National Promotion Manager into setting up the A&M's A&R House. A&M established a sales manager for Ontario. Colin Cross was the first person to hold that position.

The theme of the annual sales convention was "A&M Always Means Business."

On October 15, A&M Canada opened its A&R and publishing house.

Canada suffered a vinyl and paper shortage coupled with a shortage of record pressing facilities. Gerry Lacoursiere told Billboard in November that the shortages forced A&M to be "more selective in LP allocations [because it was] difficult maintaining the necessary product levels from plants" and that A&M had reduced its promotional mailing lists to those "actually promoting album cuts."

For the Christmas holiday promotion, A&M Canada worked albums by 14 artists.

Valdy was the only Juno nominee and winner. He took home the Folk Singer of the Year Award.

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Nazareth enjoyed its earliest success in Canada. Their 1973 album Loud 'n' Proud included "This Flight Tonight" written by Joni Mitchell. The songwriting credit met the government's regulation for content at radio and became a monster it. "This Flight Tonight" was the record of the year at radio station CKOM in Saskatoon, Canada.

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1974: A&M CANADA RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR

"With a new act you have to create a demand to the consumer then get that mass distribution everywhere."

"Our company has record people in it and they do have an excitement about the business. We have this built in enthusiasm. It's a matter of keeping the lines of communication open and letting them know that head office is backing them."--Joe Summers, RPM November 9, 1974

On January 26 existing album prices were raised from $5.98 to $6.49 and new albums were to be priced at $6.98.

In 1974 cassette and 8-track tapes accounted for 25-30 percent of the business. Pilferage of tapes was at two percent. Retailers often kept tapes in locked cabinets. Experimentation with longbox packaging was under consideration.

Juno Awards, March 25, 1974, A&M won the Canadian Record Company of the Year For Promotion.

Billboard reported in "A&M Opens Special A&R Wing: Points to Sharper Talent Focus," that A&M Records of Canada opened its own A&R division to find and develop Canadian artists. Peter Beauchamp explained, "The whole thing was a costly venture and certainly the company didn't need it for financial success. We understood that if the Canadian music industry was going to grow, we would have to take steps to help...At the outset it is not specifics that we are looking for, in fact, we are open to anything. The attitude of the artist has a lot to do with whether we sign them or not and if the act already has good management, that's all the better." Early in the year A&M opened "Madison House" at at 33 Madison Avenue, Toronto M5R 2S2. It was home to the publicity department with Charly Prevost and Lorna Richards; the A&R Department with Peter Beauchamp, and Publishing Department with Graham Power and Gerry Shaw.

A&M acquired Canadian distribution rights to Goldfish Records and Love Productions. The label had three Top 10 country hits including a #1 in Hoyt Axton's "When the Morning Comes." Goldfish hoped for a relationship similar to the one A&M and Ode Records had. Goldfish's artist roster included Terry Jacks, Susan Jacks, Chilliwack, Barry Greenfield and Hood.

Around June 1974, A&M Canada began distributing Naja Records. Naja was an independent label founded by Michael Hasek.

In August A&M had the most singles on the charts to date--nine--with Canadian content.

At the end of September, A&M Canada expected 40 albums (Canada and internationally) to be released. These albums included country, folk, pop, rock and soundtrack.

^{The Strawbs promoted Hero and Heroine in Montreal in 1974 . With JP Guilbert (Montreal promotion) and Marc DeMouy (owner of 2000 Plus Reoords).}

Distributed Daffodil Records albums and singles by A Foot in Coldwater, Huggett Family and Spirit of Christmas.

Distributed Le Crazy Horse's 1974 album Non Plus Grands Succes. It appeared on the Les Disques Fleurs label.

Entered a distribution deal with Naja Records for Michal Hasek's album and single.

Notable artist signings in 1974 included Charity Brown who stayed for three years, Gino Vannelli who was with the label for four years, Valdy and Bold Upright who signed in July.

Vannelli was the first Canadian artist to have Herb Alpert produce one of his records. He also holds the distinction of being the first white artist to appear on the television show "Soul Train" on February 15, 1975. A&M Canada gave heavy promotional support to Vannelli's Powerful People album and "People Gotta Move" single as Vannelli played a series of club dates and plans for a Canadian tour were made.

Billboard reported, A&M Records of Canada was responsible for 97.8 percent of the Nazareth single "This Flight Tonight" in North America.

A&M Canada had a 1974 Summer Tape Spectacular promotion for all albums in the A&M catalog on 8-track, cassette and quadrophonic 8-track formats.

A&M Records of Canada received the Juno Award for Top Record Company in Promotional Activities.

A&M's promotion department was now Peter Beauchamp and Doug Chappell with seven people located in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. In May, Beauchamp told Billboard, "The promotion [representative] must develop a credibility and gain the respect of [the radio station's music director. In the end you are going to have to prove to him that the record is good. Listen to some of their problems and be honest and open about the merit or lack of merit of the various records that you present."

Charley Prevost became national publicity director.

David Brodeur was named national marketing manager and Claude Palardy was made production manager.

Nazareth at the Montreal Forum in 1974. Colin Cross (Montreal branch manager), Dan McCafferty, JP Guilbert (Montreal promotion), Pete Agnew, Daryl Sweet, Manny Charlton, Charly Prevost (Montreal promotion)

Ray Rosenberg and Paul Bartsch were hired for the Ontario Sales Office.

Signed Invader Sound Company but the group did not release any recordings.

On July 26, the price of A&M and its distributed labels albums was raised from $6.49 and $6.98 to $7.29.

A&M's return policy was that albums and tapes were to be displayed for 90 days and singles were returnable for 120 days from release.

"We own every single. out there until the consumer buys it. They all come back to us, if they're not sold. Every record we sell is guaranteed. Every record, single or album, sitting in a warehouse because it doesn't sell, eventually ends up back here where it's scrapped. We scrap every record. No deletes at all."--Joe Summers, RPM November 9, 1974

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

"I've always worked on the basis of you get it played on the radio and let the consumer get exposed to it--you get the record in the store and let the consumer make the decision. If it doesn't sell, you take it back."--Joe Summers, RPM November 8, 1974

A&M RECORDS JUNO NOMINEES AND WINNERS

Quebec fan favorite Shawn Phillips in Montreal with JP Guilbert (Montreal promotion). 

A&M Records Canada broke Supertramp in North America. It started in Montreal when JP Guilbert walked into CHOM-FM one morning with the acetate (test pressing) of Supertramp’s Crime of the Century. After 60 seconds of listening, program director Peggy Colston brought him up to the studio and Bobby Boulanger (morning man) put the album on air. They then watched the phone ring non-stop from listeners wanting to know who the hell they were playing.

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1975: A&M CANADA's NEW HEADQUARTERS

The year began with Bruce Miller recording an album at A&M Studios in Los Angeles and promotion of new albums by Valdy and Ian Tyson.

A&M Records Canada began moving into A&M Centre at 939 Warden Avenue, Scarborough. The headquarters office, warehouse. music publishing, sales, promotion, press and A&R were the first to centralize.

A&M Canada established its own distribution system. On June 1, it opened a branch office in Calgary with Paul McLure as its director. Bill Meehan appointed Ontario branch manager. Hired Bill Ott to manage the Montreal branch.

Joe Summers was promoted to National Marketing Director. Colin Cross was named the National Sales Manager. Kate Elliott was promoted to National Press Officer. Johanna Saab was tapped to increase coordination between the promotion and publicity departments. 

The Juno Award nominees were announced in March. The A&M/Ode nominees were:

Linda Brown--Country Female Artist
Ian Tyson--Country Male Artist
Valdy--Folk Singer
Charity Brown--Most Promising New Female Artist
Gino Vannelli--Most Promising New Male Artist
Tommy Chong--Composer

A&M Canada had 11 artists on its roster. Between Canadian artists and international artists, A&M Canada ran 13 promotions

Franco-Ontarian group CANO (CANO stood for Co-operatifs des Artistes de Nouvelle Ontario)signs with A&M Records Canada. Front row: Marcel Aymar, Michel Kendel, Michael Godin (A&R),
Middle row: David Burt, Mike Dasti, John Doerr, Jim Vallance (songwriter), Gerry Lacoursiere (president), Rachel Paiement, Gary Mcgroarty, JP Guilbert (national promotion), 
Back row: Jim Monaco (publicity). Doug Chappell (promotion and artist development), Pat Ryan (Ontario promotion), Wasyl Kohut, Andre Paiement 
Photo courtesy Mathew Wiley.

In 1975, A&M Canada signed The Raes who were with the label for two years. Their first single, "A Little Lovin'," was a Top 10 hit in Canada.

Styx with Lorna Richards and JP Guilbert celebrating Equinox going gold in Canada

In September, Cliff Edwards signed to A&M Canada.

Recordings by Canadian artists were released in Canada first. Essentially, if the record were a hit in Canada, it would be issued in the United States. Once the A&M Records of Canada established its track record, records were released simultaneously in both Canada and the U.S.

Began a distribution arrangement with Bim Records that lasted until 1978. Artists were Bim and Chilliwack.

In April A&M Canada and U.S. label Round Records announced a licensing agreement for Round product in Canada. A&M would promote and distribute. The name Round Records could not be used so Round would become Square Records in Canada. It appears that none of Round's recordings were released on the Square label.

Janice Argall and Johanna Rabb with local DJ's at the premiere of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

A&M Canada worked a total of 78 albums during the year.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

^{Chris DeBurgh broke in Montreal, primarily at radio, and garnered support from the trade, the media and the A&M Team right across Canada. With one of many sales awards for his Spanish Train & Other Stories JP Guilbert (Montreal promotion), Chris DeBurgh, Roger Hodgson and promoter Donald K. Donald.}

A&M RECORDS JUNO NOMINEES AND WINNERS

JP Guilbert was instrumental in boosting Styx's career when he got Montreal radio to play "Suite Madame Blue." When the song took off, Styx moved from playing bars in the U.S. to a sold-out concert at the Montreal Forum.

Cat Stevens with JP Guilbert  (Montreal promotion)and David Brodeur at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec where Stevens recorded his "Numbers" album

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

JP Gilbert (Montreal promotion) accepted Gino Vannelli's Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1975. Gino won Male Vocalist of the Year in 1976 and 1979.

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1976: 16 GOLD ALBUMS IN ONE YEAR

In the RPM Readers' Poll Awards, A&M was voted the Best Sales Team, Most Aggressive Promotion Team and Top Canadian Company.

Recordings from A&M Canada were released in the U.S., Europe (Finland, holland, England, Portugal, Sweden), Japan and Australia. Top artists for international release included Offenbach, CANO and Symphonic Slam.

A&M Canada used the U.S. sales totals as a measure of what success in the smaller Canadian market would be. Often trying for ten percent, Canada often reached 20-30 percent of U.S. sales. 

A&M offered retailers up to a ten percent discount on product and additional discounts for advertising. A&M also ran radio spots for ten weeks that featured customer participation on major stations across Canada. Gerry Lacoursiere told Billboard, "Because we distribute our own product, we are more apt to understand the true nature of the national music industry and the nature of our company within that structure."

A&M Canada held its first Annual Canadian Roster Week. The artists spotlighted were Charity Brown, Cliff Edwards, David George, and Valdy plus Casino Records' Susan Jacks, Chilliwack and Bim. 

  ^{Peter Frampton with double platinum for Frampton Comes Alivei following a Toronto show in  July 1976.  Jim Monaco, (publicity). Bill Meehan (Ontario branch manager). Peter Frampton, Ray Rosenberg (Ontario Sales),  Dee Anthony (manager),  David Brian (Ontario Promotion). Photo courtesy of Matthew Wylie.}

The Canadian market caught on to Frampton Comes Alive! when JP Guilbert took it first to CKOI-FM in Montreal. An hour later GHOM-FM played it.

The promotion department was six men who reported to Doug Chappell. Each one had a territory to cover--Toronto office for Ontario; Calgary Office for Alberta and British Columbia; Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Montreal Office for Quebec. The representatives were responsible for getting airplay, running radio contests, looking after artists when they were in his territory. Each week they submitted airplay and other activity reports that were shared throughout the department. Programmers and listeners in Quebec was often showed the first interest in new recordings.

^{A&M Canada launch esf the French-language album "Chu un Rocker" by Quebec stars Offenbach. Daniel Morrison (Montreal marketing), Gerry Lacoursiere (president), Michel "Willy" Lamothe, JP Guilbert (national promotion), Roger "Wezo" Belval, Doug Chappell (promotion and artist development), the manager of the Esquire Show Bar, Luc Martel (Montreal, promotion), Gerry Boulet, Joe Summers (vice president and general manager), Front Johnny Gravel.}

"Promotion is gaining attention for your product and letting people see how good it is. They're not going to buy trash, but even if it's good, it can still go right by. You have to keep reminding people, building it up in front of them to let them know how good it is."--Doug Chappell, RPM September 25, 1976

The total staff size increased from six employees to 68 employees in just six years. Of note, the sales staff rose from four in 1972 to 13 in 1976. 

A&M was the first record company in Canada to have a press office.

"A&M recognizes the value of complete and consistent liaison with the consumer press. The recognize the need to keep the public informed through the media and to generate a free flow of information."

"This is a huge country and we have a lot of talent that needs representation outside the country and inside, and of course we want to represent the cats from the outside who are coming in. The press people all over the country are receptive to the facts if the facts are presented to them, and on time."--Jim Monaco, RPM September 25, 1976

Billboard quoted Lacoursiere, "That first year we had one major hit. This past year we had 16 gold albums, ten of those not yet gold anywhere in the world but here. And three of those were Canadian recordings." A&M Canada had five straight months where it did over $1 million of business. For the year, it was 57 percent over 1975. The year 1976 was a $12 million dollar year for the label. 1976 was the fourth year in a row that A&M Canada grew by more than 25 percent. In just six years the label had 61 gold records in Canada.

The Calgary branch office opened. Calgary was the third distribution and sales branch giving A&M complete in-house distribution across Canada.

Jim Monaco became the National Press Officer for A&M Records Canada. Neil MacGonigill was the promotion representative for British Columbia and Alberta.

Of the 17 gold albums, 10 did not go gold in the U.S. and of the nine platinum albums, six did not reach that level in the U.S.

On September 18, A&M moved into its new offices.

In September A&M increased the retail price of some albums. The double albums in the SP 3700 series were set at $8.99. The SP 4600 series rose to $7.98 for vinyl albums and $8.98 for 8-track and cassette tapes.

The fall 1976 promotion campaign was "Stop Look and Listen." A&M discounted product price with the proviso that retailers use the discount to advertise A&M recordings. The radio part of the campaign were commercials that ran over four months at 16 radio stations in nine cities. To tie radio and retail together, A&M encouraged retail participation in exchange for the retailer's name being used in the commercial. An additional incentive were prizes for the most creative and effective store displays of A&M products.

A&M wanted to establish a French language department. Gerry Lacoursiere told RPM, "We want to be totally involved in Canada, and part of it is the French market, plus if you look around the world, you have some pretty big French-speaking markets." Claude Palardy added the new department to his duties as head of Almo/Irving Music Canada. To that end, A&M signed three French Canadian acts in Michel Deloir, CANO and Offenbach. It also signed Symphonic Slam and the Hometown Band.

A&M RECORDS JUNO WINNERS

CANADAIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

By September 1976, the ten biggest selling A&M albums were by Supertramp, Nazareth, Carpenters, Cat Stevens (2), Herb Alpert (3), and Carole King. King's Tapestry album was the all-time biggest seller.

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Pablo Cruise in Vancouver 1976 with CRIA platinum award for Worlds Away. Top Row: David Jenkins, Jim Monaco (publicity), Cory Lerios, Neil McGonigill (western promotion ), Al Harrison (Calgary branch manager), Bob Brown (manager),  Richard Broden (Vancouver sales), Rudy LeValley (west coast sales and promotion). Bottom: Chuck Lutz (road manager), Doug Chappell (A&M), Bruce Day, Steve Price. Photo by Dee Lippingwell.

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1977: A&M CANADA BEST SALES, PROMOTION, MANUFACTURER...

Gerry Lacoursiere was promoted to president of A&M Records of Canada, Ltd. Joe Summers was elevated to vice president of marketing and distribution and Doug Chapell to director of promotion and artist development. Lee Silversides became the Ontario promotion representative. J. P. Guilbert was named the National Promotion Manager. Luc Martel became the Eastern Promotion Manager (Quebec, Ottawa and Kingston). Daniel Morrison assumed the Eastern Canadian sales and promotion representative.

In June, RPM held its second annual Canadian Music Industry Awards. A&M Records Canada won in three categories:
     Best Record Company Sales Team
     Most Aggressive Record Company Promotion Team
     Number One Canadian Recording Manufacturer and Distributor

The summer retail promotion was "Circus Of Sounds." Stores were provided with postcards, 2'x3' posters, balloons and demo tapes of new and key albums.

To promote the single "Nadia's Theme" A&M held a contest in Montreal and Halifax. It was promoted on the radio and with displays and ballot boxes on record stores. The grand prize was a trip for two to Europe to meet Romanian Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci.

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The fall marketing campaign was "A&M Name Of the Game Is Winning." The winner and a guest were to choose the artist they wanted to see anywhere in North America. A&M would fly them to the concert, provide hotel and unlimited limosine service for three days and two nights plus $200.

The press department launched General Info, a newsletter with short pieces about the artists and music publishing. 

September 1, 1977, A&M Records of Canada became the distributor of Mushroom Records in three provinces. The album by Heart was the first one under the agreement.

September showed a 225 percent increase in sales over 1976 in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. For the last three years, A&M grew at 30 percent each year. The total increase was 26 percent. As seen in the table below, the label was enjoying a large number of gold and platinum album certifications.

Silk 'n' Steel (bassist Bill "Kootch" Trochim) signed.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

A&M RECORDS JUNO AWARD WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1978: A&M CANADA GROWS: New Offices and MUSIC PUBLISHING

A&M Canada became the first major label to open a west coast A&R office. It specialized in the Vancouver-Calgary market.

Mushroom Records signed a national marketing and distribution pact with A&M Canada in August. Lorna Richards was appointed the national publicity director for Mushroom as a collateral duty within her position as an A&M employee.

Distributed the 1978 and 1982 albums by Nash the Slash on the Cut-Throat Records label. 

In late 1978, A&M Records signed Bryan Adams, first a staff songwriter and then as an artist. Bryan put two singles on the Canadian chart in 1980. His first Top 10 was "Cuts Like a Knife" in 1983. He would remain a top charting artist for A&M Records for the next twenty years. He earned three #1 singles and four #1 albums, ten Top 10 singles and three Top 10 albums. In 1996, Adams became A&M's first Canadian artist to perform on the Academy Awards. He sang "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" which became the second best selling movie theme in history. Only Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" had sold more copies.

A&M introduced its Audiophile line of disks in partnership with JVC. These were half-speed masters pressed on virgin vinyl and made in Japan. The first album in the series was Crime of the Century by Supertramp. It retailed for $16.98.

Between 1975 and 1978, A&M's national business doubled to $12.5M and net income rose from $300,000 to nearly $1 million.

Gerry Lacoursiere was president of A&M Records of Canada, Ltd. Joe Summers was named senior vice president and general manager. Doug Chappell was appointed vice president of promotion. Gary Hubbard was promoted to vice president of finance. Randy Wells became the sales and promotion representative for Manitoba. Ray Rosenberg was named the Ontario Branch Sales Manager. Bill Meehan moved to the Pacific Coast Distribution Center. Bob Muir joined the sales staff in the Ontario Branch. 

The first national primetime television campaign supported Chuck Mangione's Feels So Good. Nearly 300 spots were bought across Canada for a two-week period.

A&M Canada announced plans to expand its publishing division and intention to open a west coast office. A&M Canada would be the first major Canadian label to have a west coast office.

The label began a program to offer an incentive plan for its employees tied to its fall 1978 marketing program. Every employee had the opportunity to participate.

^{Garland Jeffreys, CHEZ FM partner for Ottawa show. Nick Carbone (Montreal promotion), Jon L'Heuri (Bass Clef Concerts), Paul Hunks (CHEZ FM), Jim Monaco (publicity), Garland Jeffreys, Brian Murphy, A. Colwill (CHEZ FM). Photo by Mathew Wiley}

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

A&M RECORDS JUNO NOMINEES AND WINNERS

_{Garland Jeffreys debuted in Toronto, Canada on May 30, 1978. Following Massey Hall concert with Jim Monaco (publicity), Bob Mackowycz (Q 107 FM), Lee Silversides (Ontario promotion),Doug Chappell (director, promotion and artist development).}

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1979: A&M CANADA BREAKING ACTS IN NORTH AMERICA

"The key in many ways has been our own people. They're loyal and dedicated to what A&M stands for and wants to do in this country. I would also say that more than any other company in the business in Canada, we have complete independence. From day one when (A&M president) Jerry Moss hired me to run this operation, he told me to do things my own way.--Gerry Lacoursiere, Cashbox April 28, 1979"

"The problems in developing Canadian talent during the past year have drastically been reshaped. Now, we have to be competitive on an international level with our artists. The key is to get your acts placed on American labels. To do that, you can't have a $10,000 or $20,000 budget like you used to do some years ago. You've got to lay out the dollars."--Gerry Lacoursiere, Cashbox April 28, 1979

"More than anything else, I've always been impressed with the street talk about our company. All of us here have tried not to distance ourselves from the people who buy the records. I think they like the way we operate.--Gerry Lacoursiere, Cashbox, April 28, 1979"

In May, A&M released six more Audiophile albums from JVC for $16.98. They were Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione; Pieces of Eight by Styx; Breakfast in America, Crime Of the Century and Even in the Quietest Moments by Supertramp; Brother to Brother by Gino Vannelli, and Cat Stevens Greatest Hits. A&M also planned a sampler album. Sales ranged from 5,000 copies to 30,000 copies for Crime Of the Century. Based on those sales, A&M added Crisis? What Crisis? by Supertramp, Rise by Herb Alpert, Chris DeBurgh's Spanish Train and Other Stories, Cornerstone from Styx and Reggatta de Blanc from the Police to the series.

Joe Jackson backstage at the El Mocambo in Toronto on May 21, 1979 after an SRO performance. He is with Greg Torrington (Q 107 FM), Jim Monaco (A&M national publicity) and Pat Ryan (A&M Ontario promotion). Photo courtesy of Mathew Wiley.

Montreal is the Canadian city that gave not Chris DeBurgh, Supertramp, Styx, Nazareth and Shawn Phillips their initial break. Among the other artists that A&M Canada broke in North America: Cat Stevens, Joan Armatrading, Rita Coolidge, Humble Pie, Split Enz and Pablo Cruise.

A&M worked for three years to promote Chris DeBurgh. DeBurgh toured Canada in 1977 and 1978 to build support for his music. In 1979, DeBurgh's first headlining tour of Canada while promoting his Crusader album, DeBurgh played to his largest audiences ever including 10,000 people at the Montreal Forum. A Montreal retailer liked DeBurgh's Spanish Train album and played it in the store. A&M Watched sales and let other retailers know about the positive reaction. In-store play led to radio airplay. On May 3, DeBurgh received his first platinum award anywhere in the world for Spanish Train.

Supertramp's Breakfast in America album was released in April. By August, it sold over 800,000 copies and was among the fastest selling albums in Canadian music history. A&M created an Audiophile prepak for retail. It included three Supertramp titles plus other A&M albums. A total of 100 Audiophile disks were in each prepak for retail.

On April 6, A&M Canada became the distributor of Troubadour Records. The first release under the agreement was Raffi's "Corner Grocery Store."

In August, A&M Canada signed an agreement to distribute International Artists Records (IAR), Tapes and Filmworks.

In December, A&M was a defendant in an antitrust suit alleging it tried to determine the lowest price for which its records could be advertised and adjusted te prices retailers would have to pay. A&M was found guilty of price maintenance and fined $35,000. The judge stated, "A&M profited as a result of cooperative advertising policy that provided subsidies to leading local retailers provided they advertised A&M product at prices not lower than dealer cost." The judge noted he doubted that A&M was aware of the violation and had not attempted to hide its policy or showed favoritism to retailers. When pointed out, A&M immediately complied with the law.

Signed Bryan Adams.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

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A&M Canada presents Supertramp with the country's first ever Diamond Award for sales of over one million copies of Crime Of the Century. Kneeling: Joe Summers (A&M), Lorna Richards (publicity). Middle row: Roger Hodgson, JP Guilbert (national promotion), Rick Davies, Bob Siebenberg, John Helliwell, Jim Monaco (publicity). Back Row: Gerry Lacoursiere (president), Dougie Thompson, Doug Chappell (promotion and artist development) Dave Margereson (Mismanagement), Bill Ott (A&M). 

JUNO AWARDS

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Canadian radio fully supported The Police. At one of  the band's first Toronto concerts. Gary Slaight (Q 107 Radio), Andy, Brian Masters (CHUM FM), Pat Ryan (Ontario promotion), Sting, Stewart Copeland

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Chris DeBurgh launches Crusader album in Quebec City. a crusader, J.P. Guilbert (Quebec promotion), Bill Ott (Montreal branch manager), Chris deBurgh, Rob Braide (CHOM-FM Music Director).

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A&M RECORDS HISTORY 1980s

1981       1982       1983       1984       1985       1986       1987       1988       1989      

1980: AUDIOPHILE VINYL AND TAPES

Bill Ott was promoted to vice president of sales. The position managed product distribution regionally and nationally.

A&M Canada was the first major label to offer high-end cassette tapes using BASF CrO2 chromoxide tape.

The Audiophile album series was expanded to 21 titles with a list price of $16.98. The series included the complete catalogs from Styx and Supertramp. At the end of May A&M Canada reported that sales on each of the discs ranged from 5,000 units to 30,000 for Crime Of the Century by Supertramp. The company stated that the original records had already sold well and the audiophile pressings created a new market for them.

The new A&M Debut Series for new artists allowed them to release new material without the financial commitment for a full album. A&M hoped it would be more effective for retail and for radio that wanted to play more than a single.

Stanley Frank, Fist, Brandon Wolf and Eddie Schwartz were all signed to A&M Records of Canada.

In March the 1979 Juno Nominees were announced. A&M Canada had seven nominations:

    Male Vocalist--Gino Vannelli
    Most Promising Female Vocalist--Nana McLean
    Most Promising Male Vocalist--Bryan Adams
    Most Promising Group--The Raes
    Folk Artist Of the Year--Valdy
    International Album of the Year--Breakfast In Americal
    Best Album Graphics--Rendevous (CANO)

The initial release of the Joan Armatrading EP How Cruel in March 1980 was recalled because retailers and consumers were unaware that the record only had four songs. A full refund was offered. A&M Canada added a sticker "A specially priced mini-album, $5.98 or less. Four songs that couldn't wait for an album. A&M regrets the inconvenience to retailers and consumers." 

Around September, A&M began distributing Sloth Records which was headquartered in Vancouver. Sloth's artists included Valdy, Shari Ulrich and Claire Lawrence who were all previously signed to A&M. At the same time A&M entered a deal with Falcon Records that brought artists Lydia Taylor and Zon to the roster. Another distribution deal that year was El Mocambo Records with Bill & the Bills and Maclean & Maclean.

Distributed one single on El Mocambo Records by Toby Swann.

A&M Records Canada had a distribution deal with Mushroom Records. On February 13 A&M issued its notice to terminate the agreement. On April 11 the termination was effective. 

Distributed Falcon Records artist Zon's album I'm Worried About the Boys,.

Distributed Lifesong Records reissues of two albums by Jim Croce.

From 1980 to 1982, distributed Sloth Records discs by Claire Lawrence, Shari Ulrich, Valdy and Jim Woodyard.

Solid Gold Records entered a four-year distribution agreement from 1980 to 1984 for Chilliwack, James Freud, Girlschool, Good Brothers, Headpins, Mens Room, Mental As Anything, Pukka Orchestra, Savoy Brown, and Toronto.

Billboard reported A&M Canada was fined for price maintenance. It also reported that "A&M pledges more support for Canadian acts." Music Week added that A&M pled guilty to ten counts refusing to pay for retailers' advertising and was fined $35,000. RPM added "no specific prices mentioned with regard to the label's product, however, there was an indication that advertising assistance would not be available should the company's product be sold below a certain price." The certain price was dealer cost. Judge Hugh Honsberger said, "There is no need for deterrent for this accused. It has discontinued its policy. I accept this company was not aware that it was breaking the law. It was discontinued when they were advised that it was illegal."

A&M Canada 10th anniversary sales convention. Doug Chappell, Herb Alpert, Gerry Lacoursiere, Bill Ott, Gil Friesen, Gary Hubbard,  Joe Summers.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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The Police at Massey Hall November 24, 1980. Photo by Mathew Wiley.

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1981: THE FIRST DOUBLE-SIDED HIT SINGLES

A&M Canada obtained the rights for three Murray Head albums.

In October A&M Canada shipped its first singles in the Flashback series. It was the first double-sided hit oldies series with its own label and sleeve. List price was $1.98 (Canadian). The criteria for the series was that the songs were hits in Canada.

Also in the fall of 1981, A&M Canada released more albums in its Audiophile series. 

Distributed one Dixon House single on Flicker Records.

Distributed Passport Records between 1981 and 1984. The arrangement brought artists Accept, Beatles, Walter Becker/Donald Fagen, Brand X, FM, Gap Band, Greg Hawkes, Long Ryders, Stryper, Lydia Taylor Band, and Utopia.

Signed Brandon Wolf, Payola$, Shari Ulrich.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1982: SEVEN NEW DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS

A&M Records Canada promoted radio and television simulcasts of concerts by Nazareth and Split Enz just as it would if the bands were on tour. A&M created ads, store displays and interviews. The simulcasts for each band were aired on three different dates in three cities. 

A&M Canada was very supportive of DeBurgh. For "Don't Pay the Ferryman" J.P. Guilbert, National Director of Promotion, wanted radio station Q-107 to play the song. He chained himself in the station's lobby and sent the music director a note saying he wouldn't leave until they played it. J.P. spent two nights in the lobby and Q-107 played the song.

In May Billboard reported that A&M signed an agreement to distribute Passport Records. The first albums were the Lydia Taylor Band, The Single Factor by Camel, Drums Along the Hudson by Bongos and the interview album Beatles Talk Down Under.

In July, A&M Records Canada and Hannibal Records announced a buy-sell arrangement for A&M to distribute Hannibal in Canada.

By September, Raffi sold over 500,000 copies of his four albums for children. The CBC aired a new Raffi television special.

A one-off distribution of Mr. Dressup with His Friend Terry McManus Wake Up Mr. Dressup on the Butternut Records label.

Entered a distribution agreement with Gold Flute Records that brought two albums by Paul Horn.

Began distributing L. L. Records and Lullaby Lady Productions. The agreement brought three children's albums by Pat Carfra in 1982, 1984 and 1987.

From 1982 to 1985, albums by Garnett Ford and Saga on the Maze Records label.

Distributed three Paroles & Musique albums between 1982 and 1984 by Catherine Excoude Lockwood and Uzeb.

Split Enz in concert at Massey Hall. Photo courtesy of Mathew Wiley.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

^{Sting with J.P. Guilbert promoting Brimstone & Treacle in Toronto. Photo courtesy of Mathew Wiley.}

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1983: GROWTH THROUGH DISTRIBUTION

Michael Godin was promoted to Vice President Artists & Repertoire. In the 7 years he was A&R Director he signed Bryan Adams, Payola$, Peter Pringle, Fist, Veronique Beliveau and Eddie Schwartz among others.

Effective October 1, A&M Canada began distributing Ready Records. Ready's sister label Kid Records was already distributed by A&M. The first album under this agreement was The Spoons Talkback.

Signed Veronique Beliveau in 1983.

Entered agreement with Elephant Records, the Sharon, Lois & Bram label.

Began distributing Raffi's Troubadour Records.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Joan Armatrading Canada tour for The Key with Michael Godin, Jim Monaco and JP Guilbert

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1984: QUALITY OF RECORDINGS MATTERS

A&M Records Canada and U.S. sued Millbank Music Corporation and Discus Music World Limited. A&M sought the total recall of recordings from Mexico because of inferior appearance and technical quality, copyright infringement, distribution and sale. A&M also alleged that the companies' actions had caused harm to the artists and damaged A&M's reputation.

James Monaco was promoted to Director of Publicity and J. P. Guilbert was promoted to Promotion. Randy Wells was promoted to National Promotion Manager.

From mid-August through September, A&M Records Canada offered 75 retailers one free compact disc for every five they ordered. The offer was good on 75 titles from A&M, Windham Hill, I.R.S. and Maze. A&M Canada did not set prices on the CD's but knew they were selling for $25-$29 (Canadian). A&M hoped to triple its sales and see CDs be priced at $16 to $20 retail. 

In September, A&M Canada announced all cassettes would be made with BASF chromium PRO II Chrome tape. Gerry Lacoursiere told RPM that "consumers will be able to hear the difference in quality at no extra cost."

Doug Bennett owned Ritdong Records. The only recordings from Ritdong were Bennett's solo work and his work with Doug and the Slugs. Bennett entered Ritdong into a distribution arrangement with A&M in 1984 that ran until 1988.

In 1984 and 1985, Cobra Records artists Convict and Piledriver were distributed by A&M Canada.

Distributed the Front album and single Underworld on Duke Street Records.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

RPM TOP ALBUMS AND SINGLES

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1985: MANAGING PRODUCTS, ARTISTS and DISTRIBUTION

Paul Orescan was appointed special projects coordinator for retail, radio, video and clubs. He previously worked as the I.R.S. Records coordinator for Canada and as an assistant in A&M Canada's A&R department. Ray Rosenberg was promoted to Eastern Division Manager. Al Harrison became the Western Distribution Manager. David Brian was appointed British Columbia Regional Manager. Guy Campeau was named the Quebec Regional Manager. Alex Fedorow was appointed Vice President of Operations.

In February A&M Canada and Word Records of Vancouver announced that A&M would manufacture, distribute and market Word recordings in mainstream market while Word would do the same in religious markets. A&M would release the Word catalog and represent the ten labels under the Word Records group. The first albums worked under the new agreement were Amy Grant's Age to Age and Petra's Beat the System. 

Also in February, A&M required all new artists to become members of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The intent was to allow artists to vote in the Juno Awards and have their opinions known and better the Canadian music industry.

In May, A&M Records Canada shipped its first ever gold single "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" by Sting. The initial shipment was 70,000 copies.

Attic Records signed a distribution agreement with A&M Canada beginning in 1985 that continued after the sale to PolyGram into the mid-1990s. Artists that had product distributed by A&M Canada included Lee Aaron, Banco de Gaia, Shirley Eikhard, Goddo, Hunters and Collectors, Paul Janz, L.A.X., Kurupt, The Nylons, Stetasonic, and Jennifer Warnes. Attic was probably the largest English Canadian independent label.

In early 1985, Passport Records brought its administration function to A&M. Since May 1982, A&M provided distribution for Passport's products.

In September A&M Canada announced it had licensed California-based Palo Alto Records catalog of jazz and big band recordings. Palo Alto closed that year.

Other label distribution deals started in 1985 were with American Gramaphone, Fresh Aire and Virgin Records.

Distributed Phil Manzanera's K-Scope album on the E. G. Music label.

Signed Paul Janz

_{A&M Records Canada invitation for Bryan Adams Reckless Diamond sales award presentation in Toronto, celebrating the first domestic record to exceed sales of 1,000,000 copies. Design: David Andoff.}

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

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Recckless goes 7x platinum! Pat Ryan (Ontario promotion), Jim Monaco (national publicity), Keith Scott, JP Guilbert (national promotion),  Bryan Adams, Joe Summers (A&M), Rob Sabino, Mickey Curry, Bruce Allen going over the top. Photo courtesy of Mathew Wiley.

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

RPM TOP POP ALBUMS AND SINGLES

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15th ANNIVERSARY

A&M Canada celebrated its 15th anniversary with a commemorative video. Following are some photographs that were included.

1986: EVEN MORE DISTRIBUTION DEALS

A&M Records Canada presented the Toronto Blue Jays with a gold single (50,000 copies sold) for "OK Blue Jays." The record was originally released on the Kosinec/Lenz label in May 1983 and sold 5,000 copies before A&M took over distribution in 1984.

Michelle Henderson appointed Marketing Assistant for A&M and Associated Labels.

Began distributing Attic Records in a 5-year deal.

A&M Canada distributed three albums by David Gibson between 1986 and 1988 on the Black Market Records Label.

Two albums by Charlotte Diamond on the Hugbug Records label.

Distributed three albums by Rita MacNeil on Lupins Records.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

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Falco platinum for "Rock Me Amadeus".  Bottom Row: Jim Monaco (national publicity), Pat Ryan (Ontario promotion). Standing: JP Guilbert (national promotion), Gerry Lacoursiere (president), Falco, Horst Bork (manager), Joe Summers (A&M). Photo courtesy Mathew Wiley.

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

RPM TOP POP ALBUMS AND SINGLES

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1987:  GOLD and PLATINUM RECORDS AND JUNO AWARDS

Bill Ott was appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Ann Forbes was named the Special Projects Coordinator for Marketing. Geoff Kulawick became the Ontario Promotion Manager. Rob Lacoursiere Wass promoted to Special Projects Coordinator. Susan Brearton was named the Administrator of A&R and Publishing. Ann Forbes was appointed Marketing Assistant.

J.P. Guilbert was promoted to Vice President of Promotion and Jim Monaco was elevated to Vice President of Publicity in June 1987. A&M was the only record label in Canada where publicity was not part of the promotion department.

In March pre-orders for Bryan Adams' Into the Fire were more than 200,000 copies and "Heat Of the Night" single were over 50,000 units. A&M Records Canada also issued "Heat Of the Night" as a cassette single, and single with cassette. This was the first cassette single from A&M in Canada. For the vinyl, cassette and CD albums there were free-standing display units that went to 1,500 Canadian retailers. There were also color header cards, mobiles and other items to be used in-store for the two weeks before the album was released. There were pre-release listening sessions for retail and radio and radio was allowed to air the CD while an A&M staff member was present. The rep took the CD back after the airing. The stations were supplied with copies in time for the release date.

In October 1987, A&M Records of Canada became the distributor of Paradox Records, a division of Passport Records.

A one-off distribution of Saga's Wildest Dreams on the Bonaire Records label.

Other record companies that had distribution deals with A&M Canada were Elephant Records, Maze, Oak Street, Troubadour and Concord Jazz.

Between A&M Canada and its distributed labels, 14 artists had discs that went gold or platinum and for nine of those artists it was their first certification.

From 1987 through 1989, distributed Play It Again Sam Records compact discs by a;GRUMH, Legendary Pink Dots, Neon Judgement, Siglo XX, Trisomie 21, Weathermen and Young Gods.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

RPM TOP POP ALBUMS AND SINGLES

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1988: CELEBRATING AWARDS 

Al Harrison was promoted to Director of the Western Division; Greg Barkley to Regional Manager (Alberta/Saskatchewan); Max Hutchinson to A&R Manager; Steve McNie to Regional Manager (Ontario); Nichole Duchesne as National Publicity Manager and Kathy Lovell Controller.

Paul Anka was an A&M artist in 1988 for his Freedom album.

David Andoff designed the Iggy Pop can for a national magazine ad. A&M Canada then made cases of "Iggy Pop" for national promotion at trade, retail and radio.

The album for Special Olympics A Very Special Christmas went triple platinum in Canada. Of all the countries where the album was released, Canada had the highest per capita sales. 

From 1988 to 1991, A&M distributed Current Recording, Inc. albums, cassettes and CDs by Black Earth, Longfellow, Machinations and Mysterious Art.

From 1988 to 1990 distributed Milestone Records albums by Richie Cole, Richie Cole & Hank Crawford Quintet and Sonny Rollins.

Distributed Spy Records from 1988 to 1995. The artists included Assimilation, Big Bang, Exciter, Ray Lyell, Ray Lyell and the Storm, Kelly Partland and Alter Ego, Phantoms, Roger St-Denis, Sandii & the Sunsetz,Tindrum and Rick Worrall.

In 1988, distributed Ritdong Records albums by Doug Bennett and his band Doug & the Slugs.

A one-off distribution Motorhead on the Viper Records label.

A&M Canada became the exclusive distributor for children's books, audio, video and toys in 19 packages for The Real Mother Goose from Smarty Pants, Lakewood, OH.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Gold for California Raisins! Allan Reid (Vancouver promotion), David Brian (Vancouver branch manager), Eva Toth (Vancouver office), Tom Jones (sales).

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

RPM TOP POP ALBUMS AND SINGLES

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1989: A&M CANADA: TOP 5 CANADIAN RECORD LABEL

By 1989, A&M Records of Canada had grown to be one of Canada's five major labels. The Canadian market finally accepted the cassette single as a standard format and the companies adopted it in May 1989.

In January A&M announced a Value Priced Compact Disc series. They planned to have 100 titles in the series by the end of the year. Promotion included posters, header cards, shelf-talkers, buttons and CD packaging.

Allison Brock became the promotion representative for British Columbia and Alan Reid the promotion representative for Ontario.

A&M Canada began distributing Chameleon Music Group in 1989.

Between 1989 and 1991, A&M Canada distributed a series of CD's by Susan Hammond and her Classical Kids as well as Nancy White. These artists were part of the Children's Group label.

A&M Records Canada January 1989 Catalog

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

^{JP Guilbert (national promotion), A&M Canada artists Bryan Adams and Veronique Beliveau, Gerry Lacoursiere  (president) at the1989 Juno Awards. Photo courtesy of Mathew Wiley.}

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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A&M RECORDS HISTORY 1990s

1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1998       1999      

1990: A&M RECORDS CANADA SOLD TO POLYGRAM

In 1990, A&M Canada was bought by PolyGram of Canada. Gerry LaCoursiere was placed on the management board of the PolyGram Group in Canada. The board oversaw all PolyGram operations in the country including A&M Records, PolyGram Records, Island Records and PolyGram Distribution. In October, Gerry LaCoursiere was promoted to chairman of the PolyGram Group in Canada. Joe Summers was elevated to president of A&M Records of Canada. Summers had been its General Manager and Vice President.

Restructuring of A&M Records Canada began by creating A&M/Islands Records. Both labels wanted to retain their independent status but acme part of PolyGram Distribution, Inc. for marketing and sales. 

Later it became A&M/Island/Motown/Polydor with one sales, marketing, promotion and A&R workforce. 

A&M Canada distributed albums on Antone Records including Omar & the Howlers and a various artist compilation.

From 1990 to 1993, distributed Mango Records compact discs from Black Uhuru, Linton Kwesi Johnson, King Sunny Ade, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Steel Pulse and Toots & the Maytals.

Reissued Oscar Peterson's Pablo Records albums from 1990 through 1999.

A 1990-1991 distribution agreement with Rammit Records for product by DeLee, Fattman, Uncertain Edge/Crime and Watchmen.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Janet Jackson toured Canada supporting Rhythm Nation 1814. Shown here with A&M's Allan Reid, Randy Wells and JP Guilbert.

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1991: A&M CANADA RESTRUCTURED 

In February, PolyGram estimated its losses for 1990 to be $4 or $5 million. Lacoursiere told Billboard, "PolyGram was cold and, trying to get that magic number, they were wheeling and dealing. There were a lot of times they were making programs because they were so far behind quotas. In hard times, you've got to say 'no'." To cut losses, Lacoursiere restructured A&M, Island and PolyGram. Each label retained its sales, promotion, marketing and creative teams while production and accounting were centralized and shared by all the labels with PolyGram Distribution performing that function for all of the labels. Some offices were closed and the work moved to other offices.

A&M was distributing these labels: Attic, Current, Elephant, Hypnotic, SPY, Troubadour and Virgin. LaCoursiere negotiated extended distribution deals with them. Troubadour was the exception. After ten years with A&M, it switched distributors to MCA.

From 1991 through 1994, distributed Yes Boy Records albums by Lowest of the Low.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Sting The Soul Cages Award. Front row: Anne Forbes, (Marketing), ?, Steve McNie, (Ontario sales) ?, ?, Sting, Faisal Durrani, (Special Projects, Dance), ?, ?, Kim Turner (Manager) Back row: X, Randy Wells (Promotion), ?, ?, ?, ?, Joe Toews (Ontario sales), Bill Ott (VP Sales), Lee Silversides (National Promotion)

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1992: A&M CANADA WELCOMES JANN ARDEN

Signed Jann Arden in 1992. Her Living Under June album would go on to sell over eight million copies.

Entered a two-year distribution deal with the Hypnotic label for product by Big Sugar, Kon Kan and Chris Spedding.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1993: CRIA CERTIFICATIONS AND JUNOS

A one-off distribution of B.E.I. Records Platinum Blonde's Best of Live album

Distributed the 1993 single "Sexy" by West End Girls on Johnny Jet Records.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1994: A YEAR OF PRECIOUS METAL

Signed Ashley MacIsaac in 1994.

One-off CD by Lee Aaron on the Hipchic Music label.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1995: A&M CANADA RESTRUCTURING COMPLETED

A one-off album distribution of the Matthew Good Band on the Darktown Records label.

PolyGram completed its restructuring of A&M Records. The A&M/Island/Motown division merged with Mercury/Polydor to create one sales and distribution workforce. The list of labels impacted included London, Phillips, Verve, Deutsche Gramophone, PolyGram Special Imports and Polytel plus U.S. labels distributed in Canada Concord and Fantasy and Canadian labels the Children's Group, Strawberry Records, Elephant Records, Hypnotic and Zulu. 

Former A&M Records Canada managers were named to executive positions within PolyGram:

     Joe Summer--Vice Chair PolyGram Group Canada
     Bill Ott--Executive VP/GM PolyGram Sales
     Al Harrison--Midwest Regional Manager
     Doug Chappell--President Mercury/Polydor

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

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1996: A&M'ERS CONTINUE TO LEAD POLYGRAM

On December 31, 1996, Gerry Lacoursiere retired as the Chairman of the PolyGram Group Canada. Joe Summers was named as his successor.

A one-off distribution of the Bluetones on Superior Quality Recordings.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

1997

In February Joe Summers was promoted to the chairman of PolyGram Group Canada, succeeding Gerry Lacoursiere who retired. The chairman was responsible for record labels A&M, Island, Motown, Mercury, Polydor, Deutsche Grammophon, London Philips Classics and Verve plus sales, distribution, music publishing and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.

Summers promoted Bill Ott to president, PolyGram Group Distribution. He had been the executive vice president and general manager of PolyGram Group Sales.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

1998

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

1999: ADAMS, ARDEN, GOOD BAND LEAD THE AWARDS

Signed Jennifer Mason.

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

A&M RECORDS HISTORY 2000s

2001       2002

2000

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

2001

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

2002

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA

Top

SOURCES:
A&M Records' 10th and 15th anniversary books
A&M Records employees

CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION:
Canadian Recording Industry Association

A&M RECORDS TOP POP ARTISTS IN CANADA:
Lwin, Nanda. Top Albums the Essential Chart Guide. Ontario: Music Data Research. 2003.
Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits the Essential Chart Guide. Ontario: Music Data Research. 2003.
CHUM 1050 Radio Charts. Toronto, Canada. CHUM Radio

JUNO AWARDS:
Juno Awards

1962:
A&M Five Years Later. RPM, April 19, 1975.

1968:
Music Capitals of the World (Toronto). Billboard, January 13, 1968.
Window Shopper. Cashbox, November 23, 1968.
Quality's 'Taste of A&M.' Cash Box, October 5, 1968.

1970:
A&M Back to Inner Sleeves. Billboard, March 14, 1970.
A&M Mount Dealer Drive. Billboard, September 26, 1970.

1972:
From the Music Capitals of the Word (Toronto). Billboard, March 11, 1972.
A&M (Canada) Sets Release. Record World, October 7, 1972.

1973:
1. A&M Canada Hot on International Front. Billboard, June 30, 1973.
Lacoursiere Names A&M Canada VP. Record World, August 25, 1973.
A&M Distribs Sweet Plum. Record World, September 1, 1973.
PVC Shortage Forces Cutback In Promotion Mailings at A&M. Ritchie Yorke. Billboard, November 3, 1973.

1974:
A&M Hot Track Records. Billboard, February 24, 1974.
A&M Scoring in Country. Billboard, August 3, 1974.
A&M Promo Team Sees Rap with PD's Key to Success. Billboard, May 18, 1974.
West Coast, Industry Comes Slowly to Age. Jeani Read. Billboard, September 21, 1974.
A&M Parley Accents Ties by Sales & Promotion. Billboard, October 12, 1974.
From the Music Capitals of the World. Billboard, June 22, 1974.

1975:
A&M Five Years Later. RPM, April 19, 1975.

1976:
Canada! Label Presidents Speak Out. Billboard, October 2, 1976.
A&M's Fall Market Plan Offers Discount Up to 10%. Martin Melhuishi. Billboard, October 16, 1976.

1977:
A&M Radio Draw Fulfills Couple's Romanian Dream. Billboard, February 26, 1977.
A&M Sales Up In September. Cash Box, November 11, 1977.

1978:
Mushroom to A&M Plus Convention. David Farrell. Billboard, September 23, 1978.
A&M Records In Canada Starts Mangione Blitz. Cashbox, July 1, 1978.
A&M Canada Promote Three Top Executives. Cashbox, August 19, 1978.

1979:
Angel, A&M Launch New Hifi Product. Billboard, April 21, 1979.
A&M Canada Pacts Troubadour. Record World, May 5, 1979.
A&M Commitment Yields Dividends for DeBurgh. Billboard, May 19, 1979.
A&M Unveils Audiophile Pack. Billboard, September 1, 1979.
In Canada, A&M Suit Defendant. Billboard, December 15, 1979. A&M Records Canada to Distribute Troubadour. Cashbox, May 5, 1979.
A&M Canada and IAR Sign Distribution Deal. Cashbox, August 18, 1979.

1980:
A&M Canada Fined for Price Maintenance. Billboard, September 13, 1980.
A&M Pledges More Support for Canadian Acts. Billboard, October 4, 1980.
P'Gram Canada Files Buyout Plan (A&M Records of Canada Limited). Kirk LaPointe. Billboard, February 10, 1990.
Loose Shrink Wrapping Cuts Return Costs. Richard Flohil. Music Week, May 31 1980.
$35,000 Fine For Pricing Policy. RPM, August 16, 1980.

1981:
Fresh Head Albums to A&M. Billboard, September 26, 1981.
Sloth, Progress In Pact. Billboard, September 26, 1981.

1982:
A&M To Handle Passport Line. Billboard, May 15, 1982.

1983:
Library and Archives of Canada

1991:
LaCoursiere Takes the Reins at P'gram Group Canada. Larry LeBlanc. Billboard, February 9, 1991.

1999:
Library and Archives of Canada

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