Triumph Records was a UK record label set up in January 1960 by Joe Meek and William Barrington-Coupe with the financial backing of Major Wilfred Alonzo Banks. The label existed for less than a year and although most of the artistes are unknown, many of the records now sell for high prices in the record collecting world because of Meek's involvement. Even the original paper sleeves command some value.
The label had three hit singles—"Angela Jones" by Michael Cox reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart, "Green Jeans" by the Flee-Rekkers peaking at #23 and George Chakiris' "Heart of a Teenage Girl" at #49—but distribution was badly organised and Meek pulled out in June 1960. The label folded soon afterwards after a bankruptcy petition was filed on behalf of a leading musical arranger who had not been paid. A few 45 r.p.m. records were released on Triumph that had no involvement from Meek. Many of Meek's later 1960–1961 Triumph recordings by artists including John Leyton, the Flee-Rekkers and Iain Gregory were recorded for Triumph release, but were issued on labels such as Top Rank and Pye after the label's collapse.
Discography 45rpm records by catalogue number RGM1000 – "Just Too Late" / "Friendship" – Peter Jay and the Blue Men RGM1001 – "Magic Wheel" – "Rodd-Ken The Cavaliers" / "Happy Valley" – Rodd & the Cavaliers RGM1002 – "Let's Go See Grandma" / "Believe Me" – Joy & Dave RGM1003-6 were unused RGM1007 – "With This Kiss" / "Don't Tell Me Not To Love You" – Yolanda RGM1008 – "Green Jeans" / "You Are My Sunshine" – The Flee-Rekkers – UK #23 RGM1009 – "Hot Chick'Aroo" / "Don't Pick on Me" – Ricky Wayne RGM1010 – "Heart of a Teenage Girl" / "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" – George Chakiris – UK #49 RGM1011 – "Angela Jones" / "Don't Want To Know" – Michael Cox – UK #7 RGM1012 – "The Boy with the Eyes of Blue" / "I Gave Him Back His Ring" – Carol Jones RGM1013 – "Lover and His Lass" / "Lonesome Traveller" – Charles Blackwell RGM1022 – "T'aint What You Do" / "Out There" – Don Fox RGM1023 – "Chicken Sax" / "Snake Eyes" – Rex & the Minors RGM1024 – "Ricky" / "Dear Daddy" – Pat Reader RGM1027 – "My Charlie" / "Tell Me" – Barbara Lyon RGM1030 – "Tell Tommy I Miss Him" / "I'm Sending Back Your Roses" – Laura Lee
Extended play 7" records RGXST5000 – "I Hear A New World Part 1" – The Blue Men RGXST5001 – "I Hear A New World Part 2" – The Blue Men (not released, sleeves only exist) RGJ7002/Saga TSTP1041 – Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks Concerto – Haydn Orchestra
Long play 12" records RGXST9000 – I Hear A New World – The Blue Men (not officially released, was pressed in limited white label promo format. Also slated for issue on 5" stereo reel-to-reel tape, but only one demonstration copy has ever been seen).
See also :Category:British independent record labels List of record labels Triumph Records (United States)
References
External links The Triumph Records story 45rpm records RGM1012 onwards at Vinylnet.co.uk