Platina Records Explained

Platina Records
Founder:Evert Jakobsson
Country:Sweden
Status:Inactive
Location:Gothenburg, Sweden
Distributor:EMI Records

Platina Records (Platina Skivor) was a Swedish independent record label founded in 1964 by businessman and songwriter Evert Jakobsson. The label saw great success throughout the mid-1960s with rock acts such as Tages, before turning to dansband music in the 1970s, gaining success with Flamingokvintetten and Thorleifs. After turning to pay to play in 1984, the label shut down in 1989.

History

1960s

During the early 1960s, Evert Jakobsson worked for Svenska Kullagerfabriken (SKF) as a computer technician. During his free time, he dreamed of becoming a teen idol, and as a result turned to music. He wrote two songs, "About Rita" and "You Sent Me A Rose", but unable to secure a recording contract, Jakobsson decided to register Platina Records as a company and almost immediately started pressing a batch of the single under the pseudonym Glenn Jackson and the Glentones.[1] This was the first release on the record label but it failed to garner any major attention, both commercially and critically. This led to Jakobsson dropping his ambition to instead focus on running the label.

Jakobsson almost immediately focused on the blossoming Gothenburg music scene that had many popular bands that were unsigned.[2] Tages was a band that had been the victim of extreme popularity, but hadn't been approached by any record labels. He decided to contact their manager Lars Fryklund for a meeting shortly after their victory in the Västkusens Beatles contest.[3] Fryklund and drummer Freddie Skantze were optimistic to get signed which led to a two-and-a-half-year contract, much to the shock of Jakobsson who thought that they wouldn't sign with him. Jakobsson also produced their debut single, "Sleep Little Girl" as no other producers were present during the session. This single was both the group's and the label's breakthrough, reaching number one on Tio i Topp and three on Kvällstoppen.[4] [5]

The follow-up to "Sleep Little Girl", "I Should Be Glad" was also self-released by Platina. However, at the time the label wasn't assigned to any studio due to monetary restraints, which led to Jakobsson booking various studios for his label, including Metronome Records studio in Stockholm. Partly due to this, Jakobsson arranged for a deal with EMI Records, who would distribute the label's records from that point on.[6] This deal also gave Jakobsson access to EMI's studio on Sandhamnsgatan in Stockholm which he promtply took advantage of. Jakobsson could now afford to manufacture more records which led to more and more commercial success, affording him two gold albums, Tages and Tages 2, both in 1966.[7] [8] Also in 1966, several singles released on the label also sold over 100.000 copies, most notably Tages "In My Dreams", which was a number one hit on both Tio i Topp and Kvällstoppen.

Tages would leave the label in January 1967, after their contract expired. The reason behind this was that Tages were offered a contract by another EMI sub-label, Parlophone Records, who could afford them more studio time and a bigger budget. Other rock bands were also signed around 1965–66, including the Pacifics,[9] the Steelmen,[10] Highway Gang[11] and the Shakers.[12] Most of these were unknown and commercially unsuccessful acts, with only the Shakers having a charting hit. After Tages, the biggest group Platina signed during the 1960s was Thor-Erics, a dansband who were signed in 1965.[13] They had multiple entries on Svensktoppen, starting in 1966 with "Sju ensamma kvällar" which reached number five on that chart in August 1966.[14] Flamingokvintetten were another dansband signed in 1966.[15] They saw commercial success on Svensktoppen starting in 1967.[16] Both bands released their debut albums in 1967, with both being produced by Jakobsson.[13] [15]

1970s and 80s

By the late 1960s, the Swedish rock scene was almost completely gone, being instead replaced by progg groups or dansbands.[17] [18] [19] Jakobsson decided to focus primarily on the dansband scene instead, finding it more commercially viable. Thor-Erics were still commercially successful on Svensktoppen throughout 1968–70 with songs such as "Vit som en orkidé" which reached number two on both Kvällstoppen and Svensktoppen in August 1970.[20] Flamingokvintetten, who had two songs on Svensktoppen in 1968,[21] one of which reached both Tio i Topp and Kvällstoppen, decided to leave the label in 1970 after forming their own record label Flam Records.[22] Up until this point they had released four studio albums, all of which were produced by Jakobsson. Due to this, Platina released several unauthorized compilation albums of Flamingokvintetten's material throughout the 1970s, starting with 1971's Flamingos Bästa and ending with 1979's 20 Hits Med Flamingo.

By 1971 the label had signed several more dansband, including Tonix,[23] Bert Bennys[24] and Matz Bladhs.[25] These all released records on the label to various degrees of commercial success. However, also in 1971, Thorleifs was signed to Platina due to the connection of manager Roddy Olofsson who was acquainted with Agnetha Fältskog.[26] These were arguably the most commercially successful of all Platina artists, debuting on Svensktoppen with "I Mexicos land" which reached number nine.[27] With the money earned by these releases, Jakobsson purchased a studio for the label, which he simply called Platina Studio which from 1972 onwards would be used for most of the label's releases. Thorleifs released their debut album Kommer hem till dig in 1973,[28] which although failed to chart was a strong seller on the Swedish market.[29] By this time the label was much more financially stable which meant that the partnership with EMI could be ended.

The label's arguably best selling albums were both by Thorleifs at the height of the dansband movement in Sweden. The first one was En dag i juni which was released in 1974.[30] [31] It was the first album by them to sell gold,[32] selling an approximated 300,000 copies in Sweden and reached number two on Kvällstoppen that year. The second successful release was Gråt inga tårar, which was released the following year. This album also sold gold, and reached number one on VG-lista during that summer.[33] However, due to contractual disagreements, Thorleifs left the label after recording Alltid tillsammans at Platina Studio, which was released under their own label Tor Records.[26] [34] Although the label also had success with Curt Haagers starting in 1975, the dansband craze had started waning towards the end of the decade, which contributed to Platina's decision to release the final dansband studio album in 1979, that being Canders Charlie.

By 1980, the label had ceased operation and reformed into a small pay to play label instead when operations once again started in 1984. The targeted format was 7-inch singles by smaller groups. In fact, during the label's last nine years in existence only three albums were released, these being Thorleifs 20 Godingar, Gunnar Karlsson's Våra Sköna Dansband 1 along with Tages Tages 1964–1968! The first release using this business model was Akut's "Vill ha dig" in 1984.[35] Most of the artists releasing records on the label during this time had one thing in common was that most of them were local, obscure band who primarily played either punk rock, new wave or synth-pop. However, as many of these bands were obscure no commercial success could be garnered, and as such Platina became financially struck and Jakobsson finally decided to shut it down in 1989. The final release on the label was "Heroes" by 3 Miles From Here in that year.[36]

Discography

Albums

Year[37] Catalogue NumberArtist(s)Album title
1965PALP 3001TagesTages
1966PALP 3002Tages 2
PALP 3003Extra Extra
1967PALP 3004Thor-EricsSju Trivsamma Kvällar Med Thor-Erics
PALP 3005TagesThe Best Of Tages
PALP 3006FlamingokvintettenHarrli! Harrlå
1968PALP 3007TagesForget Him
PALP 3008FlamingokvintettenJa' Går Ut Med Hunden! Sticker Ut Ett Slag ...
PBLP 5002TagesThe Best Of Tages
1969PALP 3009FlamingokvintettenChin Chin
1970PALP 3010Hälften Av Varje
PALP 3011TonixHörru, Va' E' De'?
1971PALP 3012FlamingokvintettenFlamingos Bästa
PALP 3013Thor-EricsFörsök Att Vara Lite Vänlig
1972PALP 3014Lill-IngmarsLill-Ingmars
PALP 3015Matz BladhsBland Blommor Och Blad
PALP 3016Bert BennysDu
PALP 3017Thor-EricsVårt Strå Till Stacken
1973PALP 3018NonnesLugn I Stormen
PALP 3019Chiquita BrassGamle Kompis
PALP 3020ZenitsFröken Vår
PALP 3021ThorleifsKommer Hem Till Dig
PALP 3022FlamingokvintettenFlamingos Bästa 2
PALP 3023Thor-EricsEn Tidig Sönda' Morron
PALP 3024MacsSom En Sång
PALP 3025DriftersKom Loss
PALP 3026KennysPå Festplatsen
PALP 3027Peter PanAllt Beror På Dig
1974PALP 3028ThorleifsEn Dag I Juni
PALP 3029TonixFlyg Din Väg
PALP 3030Four SevenFour Seven
PALP 3032FlamingokvintettenFlamingos Bästa 3
PALP 3033Lill-Ingmars2:an
PALP 3034HobsonsNu E' De' Lörda' Igen
PALP 3035Bert BennysAja Baja Anna-Maja
PALP 3036DriftersIkväll
PALP 3037NonnesNära Dej
PALP 3038KennysSamling Vid Pumpen!
PALP 3039Thor-EricsVi Ses Igen
1975PALP 3040ThorleifsGråt Inga Tårar
PALP 3041Chiquita BrassHär Igen!
PALP 3042MacsVår Andra
PALP 3043HobsonsVår Mascot
PALP 3044Four SevenHokus Pokus
PALP 3045TonixVindens Melodi
PALP 3046BennysTillsammans Igen
PALP 3047Curt HaagersTa Mej Me'...
PALP 3048FlamingokvintettenFlamingos Bästa 4
PALP 3049MillesLåt Mig Få Krama
PALP 3050Lill-Ingmars3:an
PALP 3050NonnesVi Sticker Ut...
PALP 3051TonixFörlåt Mej Älskling
PALP 3052KinellsFlottarkärlek
PALP 3053DriftersEtt Äventyr Med Drifters
PALP 3055Bert BennysIII
PALP 3056KennysHänger Du Me
PALP 3057MagnusDom Bästa Bitarna 1
PALP 3058Four SevenBugga Loss
PALP 3059Curt HaagersGoa 10-I-Topp Bitar 1
1976PALP 3060Chiquita BrassGunga Me
PALP 3061HobsonsSäg, Får Jag Lov!
PALP 3062Thor-EricsPå Jakt Efter Dej
PALP 3063MillesDet Bästa Jag Kan Få
PALP 3064Peter PanAnita
PALP 3065MagnusCountry 1
PALP 3066BennysGott Humör
PALP 3067Kinells2 - Vi Möts Igen
PALP 3068Various ArtistsDe Bästa Dansbanden 1
PALP 3069FlamingokvintettenFlamingos Bästa 6
PALP 3070CarolsSvängiga Danslåtar 1
PALP 3071Bert BennysIV
PALP 3072Various ArtistsDe Bästa Dansbanden 2
PALP 3073HobsonsLet's Twist
PALP 3074Peter PanGoa 10 I Topp Bitar 2
PALP 3075TonixTonix' Bästa 1
1977PALP 3077MagnusBrustanta (Dom Bästa Bitarna 2)
PALP 3078Milles3
PALP 3079Hux-FluxMed LP:n Hej, Hej, Hej
PALP 3080KittsEn För Alla
PALP 3081Rubb & StubbI Våran Gamla Chevrolet
PALP 3082Various ArtistsDe Bästa Dansbanden 3
PALP 3083BennysVenus
PALP 3084CarolsNatten Har Sin Egen Saga
PALP 3085RifflersParty Time
PALP 3086Various ArtistsDe Bästa Dansbanden 4
PALP 3087MagnusCountry 2
PALP 3089MillesKnock Out!
PALP 3090CandersFörsök Förstå
PALP 3091Thor-EricsThor-Erics Bästa
1978PALP 3092KittsAlla Minnen
PALP 3093KennysNär Sommaren Kommer
PALP 3095TonixTonix' Bästa 2
1979PALP 3097CandersCharlie
PALP 3098Thor-EricsThor-Erics Bästa 2
PALP 3099EkelundsDansglädje 1
PCLP 7501Flamingokvintetten20 Hits Med Flamingo
1980PCLP 7503Thorleifs20 Godingar
1985PCLP 8501Gunnar KarlssonVåra Sköna Dansband 1
Double-albums
19837C 138-35954TagesTages, 1964-68!

EPs

YearCatalogue NumberArtist(s)EP title
1965PAEP 2001TagesTages
1966PAEP 2002Sleep Little Girl
PAEP 2003Thor-EricsEn Liten Amulett
PAEP 2004FlamingokvintettenIngalunda-Lej
1967PAEP 2005TagesTages Hits Vol. 1
PAEP 2006Tages Hits Vol. 2
PAEP 2007Tages Hits Vol. 3
PAEP 2008Ann & LillAnn & Lill Sjunger Till Sam Brandts Orkester
1968PAEP 2009FlamingokvintettenÄntligen
1971PAEP 2010Brita BorgGöteborgs Melodi

References

References

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  3. Web site: September 2008. Göran Lagerberg. 2021-08-03. www.fuzz.se.
  4. Book: Hallberg. Eric. Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74. Henningsson. Ulf. Premium Publishing. 1998. 919727125X.
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  6. Wrigholm. Lennart. Tages: Makalös grej i Götet. Now & then. April 1991.
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  8. Web site: Tages – Tages 2. 2020-04-15. www.svenskpophistoria.se.
  9. Web site: Pacifics. 31 January 2022. Musikon.
  10. Web site: The Steelmen. 31 January 2022. Musikon.
  11. Web site: Highway Gang. 31 January 2022. Musikon.
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  18. Web site: Vi har vår egen sång - musikfilmen (1976) – Svensk Filmdatabas.
  19. http://www.svd.se/opinion/ledarsidan/vad-gor-man-inte-for-ett-avdrag_1960163.svd Svenska Dagbladet - Vad gör man inte för ett avdrag
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  25. Web site: Matz Bladhs. Svenska Dansband.
  26. Web site: THORLEIFS historik. 2022-01-31. www.thorleifs.se.
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  36. Web site: Heroes. 31 January 2022. Musikon.
  37. Web site: Platina Records. 2021-10-19. Musikon.

Sources

See also