Jugoton

Jugoton was the largest record label and chain record store in the former Yugoslavia based in Zagreb, SR Croatia. Jugoton was formed in 1947. It notably releases some of the most important former Yugoslav pop and rock records. In addition, the company owned a widespread network of record shops across SFR Yugoslavia.

Jugoton in SFR Yugoslavia:

Jugoton started pressing microgroove records in 1957 and the first stereo records in 1961. On 11 September 1963, a larger factory was opened to meet the demands of the growing market, and production numbers increased to 30,000 records a day. In 1971 cassette production started, and by 1982, 20,000 cassettes were manufactured daily. Although it frequently produced licensed releases, Jugoton lowered the number of foreign artists' releases in favour of Yugoslav artists. At its peak, Jugoton was the largest record label, pressing plant and chain record store in Yugoslavia.

Mastering engineers working at Jugoton:

JN = Nikola Jovanović
ZP = Zvonko Petrinec
BM = Bernard Mihalić
SB = Silvano Bulešić
DP = Damir Pavunić
MK = Milivoj Kalafatić
VL = Veljko Lipovšćak
VP = Vjeko Pernarić
KG = Kurt Grieder

Jugoton also had a licence to release foreign titles for the Yugoslav market including notable international popular music stars such as: Rick Astley, The Beatles, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Deep Purple, Eurythmics, Iron Maiden, Kraftwerk, John Lennon, Madonna, Gary Moore, Mötley Crüe, Elvis Presley, Pink Floyd, Public Image Limited, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Scorpions, U2, Whitesnake, Kim Wilde and others.

Founded: 10 July 1947, Zagreb, Croatia
Ceased operations: 1990

The company changed its name to Croatia Records in 1991, after Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia.  After the Republic of Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Jugoton formally changed its name to Croatia Records on 1 October 1991.