Melotone - Biography

Biography - Melotone

USA

Melotone, a subsidiary of the Brunswick Radio Corporation, was launched as Brunswick's budget label (25¢/record) in December 1930.

Variety (December 17, 1930, page 57) reported: "Chicago, Dec. 16. Brunswick is the first of the big-three disc companies to go into the market shortly with a double-faced disc to sell at 25 cents. Plate is called the Melotone. First list includes 17 discs, all popular hit tunes and all by name bands. Policy of Melotone will be the biggest songs, to be delivered as cheaply as possible. No literature or advertising campaigns; cheap nut, quantity is the goal."
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In December 1931, the American Record Corporation (ARC) leased Brunswick and associated labels from Warner Bros. In 1932, ARC raised the price of Melotone records to 35¢/record or 3 for $1. The label was discontinued in March 1938.

Melotone Label Guide:

• December 1930-December 1931: BRUNSWICK RADIO CORPORATION.
• Until 1934, B sides are marked with a line under the catalog number.
• 1932: MFG. BY THE BRUNSWICK RECORD CORPORATION
• early 1933: "Not Licensed for Radio Broadcast" added left of the spindle hole.
• from Feb. 1934: "MADE IN U.S.A." becomes "MADE IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
• 1935 - c. Oct. 1936: black and gold label rather than blue and silver label, back to "MADE IN U.S.A." at the bottom. Around May 1936, however, labels again read, "MADE IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".
• Nov. 1936-Dec. 1937 blue and silver labels with "Full-Range Recording" added to top of label.
• Late Dec. 1937 - March 1938: "Full-Range Recording" with patent text around the entire label rim.

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