- Tony Stratton-Smith
Tony Stratton-Smith (1933-1987) was an English rock music manager, and
entrepreneur . He was best known as founder of London basedCharisma Records which he began in 1969. Charisma was one of the most influential independent record labels of the 1970s. Groups he managed includedThe Nice (featuring keyboard playerKeith Emerson ), Bonzo Dog Band andVan der Graaf Generator . In 1970 he signed theprogressive rock band Genesis onto his record and management companies, and released "Trespass", the band's second album. Genesis became the label's most successful group. Charisma ceased most operations in 1979 and was sold toVirgin Records in 1983. Virgin re-activated the Charisma name with a new logo for a short time during the late 1980s."Strat" as he was known to his friends was famous for his sense of humour and flair for promotion. With an ear for unusual and highly creative talent he made Charisma very successful especially in its early years. Though usually known as "Charisma Records", the company also promoted itself as "The Famous Charisma Label." His sense of humour was often reflected in promotional materials and record label art. Stratton-Smith released many records by
Monty Python and helped to finance the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail ". He also recordedVivian Stanshall and financed Stanshall's film "Sir Henry at Rawlinson End". Other important artists Stratton-Smith was closely associated with includeAtomic Rooster , Audience,Brand X ,Phil Collins ,Peter Gabriel ,Steve Hackett ,Peter Hammill , Lindisfarne,Julian Lennon , andRare Bird . In theUnited States , Charisma Records recordings were often licenced to other labels such asABC Records (including subsidiary labelsDunhill Records &Probe Records ),Elektra Records ,Buddha Records ,Atlantic Records ,Mercury Records , andArista Records . Many Charisma Records recordings are now owned byEMI .Another more extensive Tony Stratton-Smith biography:http://themarqueeclub.net/tony-stratton-smith
More Charisma Records information is available at:http://www.charismalabel.com
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.