Richard Branson: Founding Virgin Records, Music Legends & Early Ventures

Early Ventures & Activism

• 💡 Richard Branson launched a student magazine at 16, campaigning against the Vietnam War, despite his struggles with dyslexia in conventional schooling.
• 🎯 His early interviews for the magazine included Mick Jagger and John Lennon, though a planned flexi-disc with Lennon and Yoko Ono for the first issue never materialized.
• 📌 Branson was involved in large anti-war demonstrations and maintains strong political views, notably supporting Ukraine against Russia due to a broken 1993 agreement.

Founding Virgin Records

• 🚀 The magazine's financial struggles led to a mail-order record company, which then evolved into a record shop on Oxford Street, known for its unique, relaxed atmosphere with beanbags and bootlegs.
• 🎶 After other labels rejected Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" for lacking vocals, Branson founded Virgin Records to release it, leading to a massive hit.
• 🏡 He established The Manor studio in Oxfordshire, a residential recording space where rock musicians could work all night, fostering a collaborative environment.

Signing Iconic Artists

• ⚡ Virgin Records signed a diverse roster, from progressive rock artists like Henry Cow and Tangerine Dream to the controversial Sex Pistols, whom Branson saw as the "young Rolling Stones" of their era.
• 🎤 Branson personally pursued artists, including signing reggae legend Peter Tosh after a 24-hour wait and an "initiation test" involving a large spliff.
• 🌟 The label also brought in major 80s acts like Culture Club, Simple Minds, Janet Jackson (signed after a hot air balloon ride), and the Spice Girls.

Behind the Scenes & Famous Stories

• 😂 Branson recounts a memorable incident at The Manor involving a naked Keith Richards and a jealous husband with a gun.
• 📚 The Sex Pistols' "Never Mind the Bollocks" album led to a legal battle over the word "bollocks," which was famously defended by a linguistics expert who was also a priest.
• 🍽️ A Greek restaurant known for serving small spliffs after dinner led to a band (The Drellies) thinking they were being plied with drugs, costing Virgin a potential signing.

Virgin's Unique Approach

• ✅ Virgin Records was characterized by a team-oriented approach and a willingness to trust instincts, fostering a sense of fun and outrageousness.
• 🤝 Branson emphasizes the importance of curation and a distinct flavor in the label's identity, often competing with friends like Chris Blackwell of Island Records.
• 📈 His leadership involved jumping in on key signings and embracing artists who pushed boundaries, even if some internal team members were initially hesitant.