Bigtop Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Johnny Bienstock |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; catalog distributed by ABC-Paramount Records and Bell Records |
Area served | United States, United Kingdom (through licensing) |
Key people | Johnny Bienstock |
| Products | Records, music albums |
Bigtop Records was a U.S.-based record label created by music industry executive Johnny Bienstock, sibling of Freddy Bienstock, in partnership with the prominent publisher Hill & Range Music. The label operated jointly with Big Top Record Distributors. Among its distinguished roster were artists such as Del Shannon, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Lou Johnson, Sammy Turner, Don Covay, Don and Juan, and Toni Fisher. In the early 1960s, Big Top Record Distributors also managed Paul Case's Dunes Records, which released notable tracks like Ray Peterson's "Corrina, Corrina" and Curtis Lee's "Pretty Little Angel Eyes," both produced by Phil Spector. Distribution of Bigtop’s catalog transitioned to ABC-Paramount Records by 1964, followed briefly by Bell Records before the label ceased operations around 1965.
In 1963, Bigtop produced two parody albums inspired by Mad magazine: Mad Twists Rock 'n' Roll and Fink Along with Mad. For the UK market, Bigtop licensed its recordings through London Records, with current UK rights overseen by Ace Records.
After Bigtop's closure, its subsidiary Big Hill Records issued several singles featuring Lou Johnson.