Colpix Records
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Jonie Taps, Harry Cohn |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Fate | Folded into Colgems Records |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Paul Wexler (president), Stu Phillips (A&R), Lester Sill (later president) |
| Products | Records, soundtracks, comedy albums |
| Parent | Columbia Pictures–Screen Gems |
Colpix Records was the initial music label established by Columbia Pictures–Screen Gems, its name derived from merging Columbia (Col) and Pictures (Pix). Launched in 1958 in New York City by Jonie Taps and Harry Cohn, the company was led by Paul Wexler, with A&R managed by Stu Phillips. Subsequently, Lester Sill assumed leadership after separating from his partner Phil Spector at Philles Records.
Among the label’s signed talents were Lou Christie, James Darren, Paul Petersen, Freddie Scott, and Tommy Boyce. The label scored major success with chart-topping hits such as "Blue Moon" performed by The Marcels in 1961, which also reached #1 in the UK through Pye International, and "Johnny Angel" by Shelley Fabares in 1962. Additional artists included Bernadette Castro, known for singles like "Get Rid of Him," and vocalist Jo Ann Greer, who provided singing voices for Columbia Pictures actresses and released two albums under the guidance of musical director Morris Stoloff.
Colpix was also responsible for releasing debut LPs from comedians Dick Gregory and Woody Allen, alongside a soundtrack album featuring Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters such as Yogi Bear, narrated by Daws Butler as Huckleberry Hound.
In the aftermath of President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Colpix collaborated with United Press International to produce Four Days That Shocked the World, an album capturing pivotal moments of the tragedy, accompanied by a booklet authored by UPI journalist Merriman Smith.
The label discontinued operations in 1966, making way for Colgems Records, which predominantly issued recordings by The Monkees. Prior to their involvement with The Monkees, members Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith had individual contracts with Colpix.
Colpix played a significant role in the career of singer-pianist Nina Simone, who recorded multiple albums from her 1959 debut The Amazing Nina Simone through to 1964’s Folksy Nina. In 1966, the label released Nina Simone with Strings, a collection of previously unreleased tracks enhanced with string arrangements after she had transitioned to Philips Records.
Currently under the ownership of Rhino Records, the Colpix catalogue was reissued in 1994 as a double CD set titled The Colpix-Dimension Story, which includes selections from affiliated Dimension Records.
Discography
| Album | Year | Pr. # |
|---|---|---|
| Adventures in Space - Ruff and Reddy | 1959 | CP-201 |
| Huckleberry Hound - The Great Kellogg's TV Show | 1959 | CP-202 |
| Quick Draw McDraw - Original TV Soundtrack Voices | 1960 | CP-203 |
| Yogi Bear and Boo Boo - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1961 | CP-205 |
| Here Comes Huckleberry Hound - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1961 | CP-207 |
| Mr. Jinks, Pixie & Dixie - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1961 | CP-208 |
| Huckleberry Hound and The Ghost Ship | 1962 | CP-210 |
| Quick Draw McGraw - The Treasure of Sarah's Mattress | 1962 | CP-211 |
| Top Cat - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1962 | CP-212 |
| The Jetsons - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1962 | CP-213 |
| The Flintstones - Original TV Soundtracks! | 1961 | CP-302 |
| Hey There It's Yogi Bear - Original Soundtrack Recording | 1964 | CP-472 |