Decca

Decca Records is a British record label founded in 1929 by Edward Lewis in London as The Decca Recording Co. Ltd. It quickly grew into one of the leading labels in the United Kingdom, releasing music across genres such as classical, jazz, and popular song, and playing a significant role in the development of early recording practices and high-fidelity playback.

Throughout the mid-20th century, Decca expanded internationally and built a large catalog that included studio albums, orchestral concerts, and film soundtracks. The label became associated with a distinctive approach to production and engineering that helped define parts of the era’s recorded sound. In 1962, Decca is notably remembered for passing on the opportunity to sign the Beatles, a decision that has since been widely discussed in music history.

In 1980, Decca Records was acquired by PolyGram. When PolyGram merged with Universal Music Group in 1998, Decca became part of Universal’s label group. Since then, the Decca name has continued to operate as a label within Universal Music Group, with divisions that include a classical repertoire imprint often marketed as Decca Classics, alongside its broader pop and soundtrack catalog.

Today, Decca remains a historic and influential brand in the recording industry, recognized for its long-standing catalog, its enduring cataloging of classical and orchestral works, and its ongoing activity in reissues and new releases under the Universal Music Group umbrella.