Peerless Records
Mexican major label from 1921 to 2001.
Peerless Records was a record label based in Mexico, founded in 1921 in Mexico City by E. Baptista. Early pressings were made under contract by Gennett Records, but by 1933 Peerless was pressing its own records in Mexico. The label mostly released popular Mexican music, though some dance bands and tunes from the United States also appeared on Peerless in the 1920s.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Mexico
Facts from the source article.
Background
Peerless Records was a major force in Mexican music during the 1940s and 1950s, selling not only in Mexico but across Latin America and in some Southwestern U.S. communities. Its labels often carried text in both English and Spanish. The company began issuing long-playing vinyl records in 1951. Over the years, its roster included well-known artists like Vianey Valdez, Pedro Infante, Lola Beltran, Los Apson, Los Baby's, Los Tecolines, and David Záizar. Peerless also handled Mexican distribution for international acts such as Los Corraleros de Majagual, Celia Cruz, Tom Jones, and The Rolling Stones. It stayed independent until 2001, when it merged with its subsidiary MCM (Metro Casa Musical) to become Peerless-MCM S.A. de C.V., later acquired by Warner Music Mexico. Some Azteca Records recordings were also released in Mexico on the Peerless label.
History
In the spring of 1961, Peerless Records signed new contracts with Jose Venegas and Betty Melendez, both of whom were already recording for the label. The company also brought in Luis G. Roldan, who had previously recorded for Tizoc Records. That same period, Peerless artist Juan Mendoza held the number two spot on Mexico's Best Sellers chart with "Crei," while label mate Lola Beltrán was at number four with "El Caballo Blanco." By June 1965, Vianey Valdez, La Prieta Linda, and Ricard Jimenez had left Peerless to sign with other record companies.
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