Virgin Records

Virgin Records is a British recording label founded by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. The first release on the label was the classic progressive rock album Tubular Bells by multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield in 1973 (see 1973 in music). Virgin Records introduced bands like the Henry Cow, the Sex Pistols, Camper Van Beethoven and Boy George to the world music scene, and at one point was the producer of the Rolling Stones. Sold by Branson to EMI Records in the early 1990s, it now faces competition from Branson's newer label, V2 Records.