Elektra Asylum Records

Former Location –
Elektra Records was started in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickholt. During most of the 50’s and early 60’s the label focused on folk music and had signed Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton among others. The label became one of the first to sign up psychedelic rock acts in the mid 60’s and had inked The Paul Butterfield Blues Band as well as The Doors and Love. Over time, Elektra signed numerous acts including:

Notable Recordings Made On Elektra Records

The Doors – The Doors
The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
Bread – Guitar Man
Eagles – Hotel California
Queen – The Game
Jackson Browne – Running On Empty
Joe Walsh – But Seriously, Folks…
The Cars – Candy-O
Joni Mitchell – Mingus

Asylum Records was founded in 1971 by David Geffen and Elliot Roberts, both of which had worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. The label was started specifically to provide Jackson Browne with a recording contract. Geffen was Jackson’s manager at the time and he was unable to secure a recording contract anywhere, so Asylum was created and Browne was their first recording artist. Over time, Asylum signed numerous acts including:

Notable Recordings Made On Asylum Records

Eagles – Desperado
Linda Ronstadt – Heart Like A Wheel
Joni Mitchell – Shadows And Light
Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne
Warren Zevon – Stand In The Fire
Lindsey Buckingham – Law And Order
Richie Furay – Dance A Little Light
Bob Dylan – Planet Waves
Traffic – When The Eagle Flies
John Fogerty – John Fogerty

Asylum was acquired by Warner Communications (now Time Warner) in 1972. Elektra was sold to Kinney National Company in 1970 and soon afterwards the company, which owned Warner Bros.-Seven Arts, changed its name to Warner Communications. In 1972 Warner merged the two to become Elektra/Asylum Records. David Geffen remained in charge until 1975, when he resigned as director and went on later to found Geffen Records.

Elektra Asylum Records
962 North La Cienega
West Hollywood CA 90069