The label’s story began in 1962 when EMI formed $tateside Records to release licensed American recordings to the UK and Europe to compete with Decca London’s “American Recordings” and Pye’s “Pye International” labels. It scored its first of many hits in 1962 with “Palisades Park” by Freddy Cannon.
$tateside would grow to become one of the most widely collected UK record labels in the 1960’s thanks to the incredible music it released, especially early Motown singles. This helped develop a strong fanbase in Europe as $tateside released classics by Marvin Gaye, The Miracles and The Supremes, who hit #1 with “Baby Love” in 1964 and many now highly collectible Northern Soul classics.
The label was retired in 1973, only to be revived for a brief period in the 1980’s as a reissue label under the guidance of British record industry luminary Tony Wadsworth at EMI Records and then again in the late 90's when it specialized in building fantastic compilation brands like “Testify,” “Talcum Soul” and “What’s Happening $tateside”, as well as single artist releases by the likes of Tina Turner, Bobby Womack, David Axelrod, Cannonball Adderley, Minnie Riperton and more.
These collectable $tateside Records 7” singles each feature 2 tracks and a die-cut sleeve.