Independent record companies also disappeared. Warner Brothers/ Reprise bought Atlantic in 1967, Electra in ‘70 and Asylum in ‘73. Decca, Kapp and Uni Records merged to form MCA in the late Sixties, and in the early Seventies added ABC. MGM and Polydor merged to form Polygram, and soon after added Casablanca, Capricorn and RSO. By 1980 the “Big Six” (Warners, CBS, Polygram, RCA, Capitol and MCA) owned the market. In 1977, for instance, Warner had 23% of all record and tape sales, Columbia took in 19% and Polygram received 14%. The Me Decade became the era of Corporate Rock… a time when senile old suits decided what was good Rock & Roll.
“… And, she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven.” (Led Zeppelin—1971).
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (“But if you try sometime/ You might just find/ You can get what you need”) (The Rolling Stones—1973).