Rhino Records (2)

Also appears as "Rhino" only.
Rhino Records started as a record store in 1973 in Westwood California, U.S.A., founded by Richard Foos. The first recording was released in 1975, "Go To Rhino Records" by Wild Man Fischer which was a small success.
Label Code: LC 02982

Rhino sometimes run their US catalogue number next to the worldwide WMG catalogue number divided by a slash. These should be entered as two numbers on separate lines.

The early logo design had a picture of "Rocky the Rhino" (designed by William Stout) and featured mostly novelty, surf, local new wave bands, and a couple of reissues of out-of-print records from other labels. By the mid-1980s, the label was releasing a lot of reissues. Bill Inglot took care of the production, Ken Perry mastered, and Gary Stewart and James Austin were doing A&R. Around the same time, the logo was redesigned to just "Rhino".

The first CD was issued in 1984. All early Rhino made-in-Japan CDs were manufactured by Sanyo (1984-85). By 1986, into 1987, it was either Japan or Switzerland (made by various manufacturers). It is believed they didn't add barcodes regularly until circa '88.

In 1985 the label made a distribution deal with Capitol Records, which lasted until 1992. As part of the deal, they had access to the Capitol back catalog, and they started releasing reissues of the old Capitol albums. In addition, in 1989, EMI and Rhino acquired the Roulette family of labels. In 1992, when the deal with Capitol was ending, Rhino got an offer from Time-Warner. By entering this deal, half of the label was sold to Time-Warner, and WEA became the new distributor of the label. Warner put Rhino in charge of reissuing the Atlantic back catalog. In 1998, Time-Warner bought the remaining 50% of the label, but returned the record store back to Richard Foos.

Currently Rhino Records operates as a part of the Rhino Entertainment Company, which is a part of the Warner Music Group. The label specializes in reissues, compilations and anthologies.

NOTE: Please enter here the releases that have either the "Rhino Records" or "Rhino" logo. For the company, please use , but only if it's mentioned on the release. Also note: Some earlier issues may also have the Company as