Axe Records

Axe Records is a Canadian record label founded by Greg Hambleton in 1972. After a number of years of inactivity, the label was revived in 2013. It is particularly notable as the original recording label of the Canadian duo Gary and Dave.[1]

Axe Records
Founded1972
FounderGreg Hambleton
Country of originCanada

History

Axe Records was founded by Hambleton in 1972. The label was initially distributed by London Records of Canada. The first artists signed to the label included theCanadian group Thundermug.[2] In 1974, Axe moved into offices in the Toronto Sound Studio building on Overlea Boulevard.[3]

By 1975, the label was distributed by GRT Records in Canada.[4][5] The company had no consistent international distribution. Its most successful artist duo, Gary and Dave, was distributed by London Records in the United States.[6] Its principal rock band, Thundermug, was distributed by the Big Tree and the Epic labels and, from 1975, at the initiative of Hambleton, by Mercury Records. International licensing arrangements were signed with EMI Electrola, Basart and Decca UK.[5]

The label's major recording success was with Gary and Dave.[5] It also released records by Thundermug, Fergus, The Sattalites, Rain (with Charity Brown), Keith Hampshire, Major Hoople's Boarding House, Steel River, Tom Northcott and Walter Ostanek, among others.[7]

In 2013, the label was revived by Hambleton, to re-issue and market the original recordings by its original artists, as well as to sign new artists.[8]

References
  1. Dave Bidini (November 9, 2012). "Greg Hambleton helped bring Canadian music industry to life, and now Canadian music has returned the favour". National Post. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  2. "Axe Records for London Distrib". Billboard. March 11, 1972. p. 73. Retrieved May 24, 2013 – via Google Books.
  3. Martin Melhuish (July 13, 1974). "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 42–. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  4. Richard Green. "GRT of Canada, Ltd.". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on May 5, 2013.
  5. "Axe sharpens sights in 3-pronged goal". Billboard. June 14, 1975. p. 47. Retrieved May 26, 2013 – via Google Books.
  6. "London signs Gary and Dave". Billboard. November 17, 1973. p. 37. Retrieved May 30, 2013 – via Google Books.
  7. "List of Releases by Axe Records". Rate Your Music. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  8. Adam Carter (July 29, 2013). "Classic Canadian record label resurrected in Hamilton". CBC News. Retrieved September 15, 2013.


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