Building    From 1898 

Europe’s first recording studio / Gramophone Company

Categories: Music / songs

In 1898 The Gramophone Company moved into the building with the plaque and started to record popular songs often performed by music hall stars in the West End. The studio, which used primitive technology including a long trumpet-shaped horn which artists sang into, accompanied by a piano, only lasted four years.

1900-7 the company was known as the Gramophone and Typewriter Company Limited.

The painting His Master's Voice was acquired from the artist in 1899 by the Gramophone Company and adopted as a trademark by its US affiliate, the Victor Talking Machine Company.  The Gramophone Company did not use the dog's image on its record labels until 1909. The company's label was not at first formally called HMV or His Master's Voice, but rapidly became identified by that phrase due to its prominence on the record labels.

The Gramophone Company opened the first HMV shop in 1921.

In 1931 the Gramophone Company merged with the Columbia Graphophone Company to form EMI and opened Abbey Road studios.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Europe’s first recording studio / Gramophone Company

Commemorated ati

Europe's first disc recording studio

Queen's drummer Roger Taylor unveiled the plaque.

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Other Subjects

Peter Warlock Society

Peter Warlock Society

The address of the Society is given as Schenectady, NY.

Group, Community / Clubs, Music / songs, USA

1 memorial
Al Purchase

Al Purchase

Busker. Our picture shows him at London Zoo, 1953.

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Atkinsons Carillon

Atkinsons Carillon

The only carillon in London. Dictionary definition of 'Carillon': a set of bells usually hung in a tower and played either from a set of keys and pedals or mechanically.

Place, Music / songs

1 memorial
E. C. H. Rowland

E. C. H. Rowland

Entertainer and cinema manager. Born Edward Cyril Hawken Rowland in Plymouth. He appeared as a music hall comedian in London before joining the army. During World War I, he served in France with th...

Person, Cinema, Music / songs, Theatre, France

1 memorial
Bill Owen, MBE

Bill Owen, MBE

Actor, songwriter. Born London.  Wrote that Cliff Richard hit 'Marianne'. Played Compo in 'Last of the Summer Wine'. Died Westminster.

Person, Humour, Music / songs, TV & Radio

1 memorial