K-TEL MUSIC EXPRESS “SOFT ROCKIN 70’S”
In 1966, Philip Kives released the company’s first compilation album, a collection of 25 country songs entitled “25 Country Hits. “ Every copy was sold. The idea of compilation albums was new, and the venture’s unexpected success led to further releases. K-Tel’s second release, “25 Polka Greats,”sold 1.5 million copies in the United States
K-tel recruited Australian Don Reedman (twin brother of Peter Reedman, who was already working in the Australian office) to set up the UK-based division of K-tel Records in the early 1970s. Ian Howard was the Managing Director of operations.
The company built the business of releasing compilation albums that combined material from a number of popular artists onto a single theme album using the tag line “20 Original Hits! 20 Original Stars!”. The company negotiated directly with artists and labels for the rights to reproduce their original recordings, in the process also securing a long-term asset through adding those recordings to their catalog.