US label launched in November 1974 by Clive Davis, in corporation with Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (CPI). Label Code: LC 3484 / LC 03484 According to Billboard Magazine, the label was named for the New York high school honor society. In 1979 the label's parent company, Arista Records, Inc. was acquired by Bertelsmann AG (parent of German label Ariola) and from 1983 co-owned by RCA. The co-ownership continued until 1987, when Bertelsmann acquired full ownership once again. Through a series of mergers, the Arista label is now owned by Sony Music Entertainment. via Discogs →