Starline

Label associated with EMI (since 1969)
Do not confuse with the series The Star Line.
For unofficial releases, please use Starline (2).

Please note that many Starline releases also carry an EMI logo. EMI should not be added as a label, however, as this merely indicates that Starline was part of the EMI Group.

The below refers to the US Starline releases only:

In the US, Starline albums bore their original catalog numbers, and at first the original covers were merely stamped with an embossed Star Line logo. Later LP releases would have the Star Line logo printed directly onto the covers. The series featured releases that had been popular and worth keeping in their active catalog but were not marketed at the full album price.

The original Star Line label was metallic gold with black print. The Capitol logo appears in the upper left with eight spires or rays extending from it. The words "THE STAR LINE" appear above the catalog number. In 1962, Capitol changed the design to a black background label with silver print. The placement of the logo and printing remained the same as in the earlier design. In 1967, Capitol created a new design, a red and white target label. The Star Line logo was also changed to feature a smaller star placed below and between the words Star Line. In 1969, the Star Line label was changed, the new design featured a large star on the label. The logo remained the same but the design did not work well for 45's; therefore, it was used on albums only. This design was kept active until November 1972. It was then that Capitol redesigned all single and album labels. The new Star Line design was a gold label. However, due to inconsistencies in print, the gold label is often erroneously referred to as a tan label or avocado green.

In March, 1978, Capitol returned to using its dome logo. Star Line labels after this date are quite scarce. In November, 1981, Capitol changed the label backdrops for all Star Line records to blue. With the introduction of the yellow budget label around 1975, Capitol slowly phased out the use of the Star Line for LP releases. Before 1983, the decision was made to eliminate it altogether. A few existing releases were kept in print on the blue Star Line label. By that time, most budget albums were in print on Capitol's green budget label. The Star Line label would exist for singles only, and the no special label backdrops were created for Star Line labels after 1983. Star Line singles were in the 6000 series. Some of the Star Line singles were "back to back hits". For label designs for singles, refer to label links for specific details.

US 45s:
White/red target labels: 1967~69
Gold labels + new Capitol logo: 1969~78
Gold labels + old Capitol logo: 1978~81
Blue or Black or Purple labels + catalog number including prefix "X-": 1981~
Green labels: see The Star Line