Other meanings of Apple Records
Discography
The Apple Records discography comprises the albums and singles released by the Beatles' record label, Apple Records, from its founding in 1968 to its dissolution in the mid-1970s, and its subsequent reissues and compilations. The label released a diverse catalog spanning rock, pop, electronic, and avant-garde music, including works by the Beatles themselves, solo efforts by band members, and signings such as Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and James Taylor. Though the label's commercial success was uneven, its output has become a significant part of music history, with several albums achieving critical and commercial acclaim.
Apple Records was founded in 1968 by the Beatles as part of their Apple Corps conglomerate, with the intention of fostering artistic talent beyond their own work. The label's first releases appeared in August 1968, including the Beatles' single "Hey Jude" and the album Wonderwall Music by George Harrison, the first solo album by a Beatle. The label's early catalog was eclectic, featuring the electronic experiments of the Electronic Sound album by Harrison and the avant-garde Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which caused controversy due to its nude cover. Apple also signed international acts, such as the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin, whose debut single "Those Were the Days" topped the UK chart in 1968.
The label's most commercially successful releases were by the Beatles themselves, including the White Album (1968) and Let It Be (1970), which were issued on Apple. Solo projects by the band members also appeared on the label, such as John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (1970), Paul McCartney's McCartney (1970), and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass (1970), a triple album that became a critical and commercial triumph. Apple also nurtured the careers of Badfinger, whose song "Come and Get It" was written and produced by McCartney, and James Taylor, whose self-titled debut album was released on Apple in 1968. The label's roster included the Modern Jazz Quartet, Billy Preston, and the Radha Krishna Temple, reflecting a broad musical range.1
By the early 1970s, Apple Records faced financial difficulties and management turmoil, leading to a gradual reduction in new releases. The label ceased active operations in 1975, though the Beatles' catalog continued to be distributed under the Apple imprint. In the 1980s and 1990s, Apple Records was revived for reissues and compilations, including the Beatles Anthology series (1995–1996) and the Let It Be… Naked album (2003). The label's back catalog has been remastered and reissued multiple times, with the 2009 stereo remasters of the Beatles' albums being particularly notable. Apple's legacy is also preserved through the Apple Corps v. Apple Computer trademark dispute, which shaped the use of the Apple name in technology and music.
Beyond the well-known releases, Apple Records issued a number of obscure and short-lived projects. The label released the soundtrack to the film The Magic Christian (1969), which featured contributions from Badfinger and Peter Sellers. It also put out the album Electronic Sound (1969) by George Harrison, which was recorded using a Moog synthesizer and is considered an early example of electronic music in popular culture. Apple's distribution deals varied by region; in the US, the label was initially distributed by Capitol Records, but in the UK it used its own distribution network. The label also released spoken-word and comedy records, such as The Beatles' Christmas Records (1963–1969), which were fan-club flexi discs. Additionally, Apple's publishing arm, Apple Publishing, controlled the copyrights to many of the Beatles' songs, which later became a point of legal contention.2
The Apple Records discography is a rich and varied catalog that reflects the creative ambitions of the Beatles and their protégés, and its influence persists in modern music.
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