‘The Supreme Record Company’ Documents Decca’s First 90 Years

The first comprehensive history of Decca Records, The Supreme Record Company: The Story Of Decca Records 1929-2019, will be published by Elliot & Thompson on 4 July. Its publication forms part of the storied company’s 90th birthday celebrations, which are taking place throughout 2019.

Edited by Darren Henley and Daryl Easlea, the book contains forewords from two of the label’s most celebrated artists, Dame Vera Lynn and Sir Rod Stewart, and introductions from current Decca president Rebecca Allen and president and CEO of Universal Classics and Jazz, Dickon Stainer.

The Supreme Record Company takes its title from the name that Decca was widely known by after its early emergence, following its formation on 28 February 1929. It documents Decca’s fascinating development from a prosperous British company into a fully-fledged international powerhouse, and the countless historic moments in its first 90 years, from the very beginnings of sound recording to its moden-day superstars.

Among the artists who contributed to that singular history and who are featured in the book are Bing Crosby, Vera Lynn, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Luciano Pavarotti and the Three Tenors, through to many of the notable stars of Decca’s current roster, such as Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Rod Stewart, Ludovico Einaudi and the Lumineers. The history of the company is told in 11 chapter, and expert contributors include respected music writers such as Jon Savage and Louis Barfe as well as classical experts, historians and current Decca executives.

Each chapter in The Supreme Record Company includes a generous selection of images and archived material, depicting such artists as David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Dame Vera Lynn, Billie Davis and many others. Many of the elegant posters used by Decca over the years are featured, along with images of stars pictured early in their careers, album artworks and more.

Format: UK English