For any music fan, particularly of EMI’s illustrious back catalogue from the 1960s and 1970s, to see the venerable, iconic record label being passed around from pillar to post in the last four years, has been upsetting. Finally EMI’s future has been settled and assured with the announcement that the record label is to be owned jointly by Universal and Sony.

Hopefully Universal and Sony will honour and respect the reputation, traditions and pedigree of the great British institution that is EMI, in the same way that the integrity of luxury car brands Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar have been preserved since ownership departed these shores. Previous owners in the last four years, venture capitalists Terra Firma and corporate bank Citibank were never going to have the best interests of EMI at heart, but we hope that this most cherished of record labels is now in safe hands!!

In the end what did for EMI was of course the evolution of digital technology through the Internet. Digital Mp3 downloads courtesy of iTunes not only eroded and washed away turnover and profits from the cliff edges of the record labels, but also negated the impact of the personality of the brands that existed with colourful labels and picture sleeves in the era of vinyl records and to a lesser extent the age of the CD. EMI will always be synonymous with the Beatles in the 1960s and their recording home at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios, but for me it’s most glorious decade was the 1970s when it’s iconic red and brown vinyl record label was the custodian and promoter of some of the most inventive and creative groups and acts of that decade!! So let’s celebrate the heyday of EMI with a Top 10 best vinyl single recordings from that decade –

Top 10 Best EMI Vinyl Single Recordings from the 1970s

1)  Queen – Killer Queen

2)  Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights

3)  Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – Mr Soft

4)  Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

5)  Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – Make Me Smile ( Come Up and See Me )

6 )  Queen – Somebody to Love

7)  T Rex – Chidren of the Revolution

8  )  Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the UK

9)  Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – Sebastian

10)  Kate Bush – Wow

( We could also have included artists such as ELO, Wizzard and Pink Floyd in this Top 1o, had we included recordings on EMI’s subsidiary label, Harvest. However “anorak purism” dictated this Top 10 was exclusively recordings on the EMI label ).

You can immortalise the era of vinyl records, by ordering your favourite vinyl record, single or album, framed and mounted as a picture disc. ORDER NOW by clicking on…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( ie Wedding Song ), a 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!