The first ever comprehensive book on the history of Decca

10 April 2019 - Press release

On 4^th July 2019, Elliot & Thompson will publish the first ever lavishly illustrated, comprehensive history of 'The Supreme Record Company' Decca Records – documenting its fascinating rise and highlighting the most iconic moments from its colourful 90-year history.

Decca's history touches on every aspect of modern music, both pop and classical; from the beginnings of sound recording, via Bing Crosby, Vera Lynn, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Luciano Pavarotti and The Three Tenors, to today's chart-topping superstars such as Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Rod Stewart, Ludovico Einaudi and The Lumineers, but to name a few. Its history is told here in 11 chapters by expert contributors including respected music writers Jon Savage and Louis Barfe, classical experts, historians and current Decca executives.
 
Each chapter features an array of images and archived material – capturing David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Dame Vera Lynn, Billie Davis and many more, with elegant posters used by Decca throughout the years, shots of iconic artists early on in their respective careers, album artworks and much more.
 
The book – edited by Darren Henley and Daryl Easlea – also contains a foreword from Dame Vera Lynn and Sir Rod Stewart – two of the label's most revered artists – as well as from current Decca President, Rebecca Allen, and President and CEO of Universal Classics and Jazz, Dickon Stainer.
 
Decca - The Supreme Record Company: The Story Of Decca Records 1929-2019 book is published by Elliot & Thompson on July 4.

 
ABOUT DECCA 90: 
This year sees one of the most iconic record labels in the world, Decca Records, turn 90 years old. Since its formation on 28 February 1929, Decca has burgeoned from a prosperous British company to a fully-fledged international powerhouse, quickly earning the title as 'The Supreme Record Company' – a statement that resonates stronger than ever today.
 
Decca has been the home to countless legendary musicians from Luciano Pavarotti to David Bowie, Dame Vera Lynn to Bing Crosby, Tom Jones to Billie Holiday, The Rolling Stones to Mantovani and is now providing the platform for a new generation of ambitious artists at the forefront of their scenes – names such as Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Gregory Porter, who continue to represent the label's cultural legacy.
 
Throughout 2019, Decca will be celebrating its nine decades of excellence, marking the occasion with: an event at London's prestigious V&A, a brand new Ron Howard-directed Pavarotti feature film, activities at Decca's 'lost' recording studio in West Hampstead, a unique series of concerts in London, Berlin and Paris, 90 reissues and releases, podcasts, radio shows and much more.