Pyramid Records’ inception began in 1989 when Tony Martel, Vice President of CBS Associated Labels, proposed to Allen Jacobi that he run an independent record company, distributed by Sony (Mr. Jacobi, an established music attorney, has worked with such artists as The Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind and Fire, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Stephen Stills, The Eric Clapton Band, Asia, The Stray Cats, Public Enemy, Too Live Crew, Trick Daddy and many others). Pyramid’s focus from the beginning was to sign established recording artists from the 1960’s and the 1970’s. In 1990, Pyramid signed Joe Walsh of the Eagles (then disbanded), as it’s first artist. Walsh’s title track from the album “Ordinary Average Guy” became a #1 single on the Rock Radio charts and #3 on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart upon its release through Epic Records(250,000+ units). Even though the Walsh album had been successful, Sony decided its strategic focus at the time was promoting new artists and Pyramid changed its distribution to BMG (Bertlesman Music Group). Two albums were released through JRS Records, a BMG distributed label. In 1993, Pyramid signed a new distribution agreement with Rhino Records, a Warnerowned and distributed Company, and released the first studio album in sixteen years by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends The Band (“Jericho”), Dave Edmund’s “Plugged In” and “Earthrise - The Rainforest Album” featuring Paul McCartney, Elton John, U2, etc. followed in 1994. In 1995, Pyramid entered into an enhanced agreement with Rhino Records to provide working capital financing to Pyramid. In 1996, Pyramid released The Band’s “High on the Hog” album, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Greatest Hits Live”. In 1997, Pyramid released Earth, Wind & Fire’s studio album “In the Name of Love”. In 1999, Pyramid Records released Robert Palmer “Rhythm and Blues”, Nik Kershaw’s “15 Minutes”, and Edgar Winters “Winter Blues”. Pyramid was distributed for seven years through WEA (Warner, Elektra, Atlantic), and, as of 2003, Pyramid has been distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution, the largest music distributor in the world. In July 2004, Pyramid released Bridge to Havana. The project features such renowned artists as Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, Mick Fleetwood, Gladys Knight, Brenda Russell, Peter Frampton and many others combined with the top Cuban artists. The project consists of a studio album CD and a concert documentary sold separately and in a combo box set. The album went to #3 on the Billboard World Album Chart and the documentary was featured on PBS nationwide. Also in that year, an album from urban songstress Lalah Hathaway, was released and its single “Forever, For Always, For Love” went to #1 on the Urban A/C Radio chart, selling well over 100,000 units.
Over the last three years Pyramid has released albums by rock legend Stephen Stills, hip hoplegends Public Enemy, dancehall superstars Beenie Man and Anthony B and country music star Ty Herndon (9 top ten singles) and many others. The company has expanded its focus to new artists of every genre.
Pyramid Records is a wholly owned subsidiary of 7 Records Inc. .
