Immediate Records

Founded in 1965 by Andrew Loog Oldham and Tony Calder, Immediate Records stands as a pivotal London-based independent record label that made an impact on popular music during the 1960s.

Unlike the other prominent British independent labels at the time such as Decca, Immediate presented a new and dynamic concept of the independent record company. Focused on contemporary music, the label was the first of its kind to sign and secure many of the soon-to-be biggest performers in the British music scene.

Immediate had little interest in promoting underground or experimental music, unlike other pioneers of the independent movement, but they took the creative risks and gambled on artists like Rod Stewart, The Small Faces, PP Arnold, and Fleetwood Mac. In doing so, Immediate challenged the traditional labels, and paved the way for a new era of independent music companies.

The label was born out of an innovative £5,000 investment from Rolling Stones manager Oldham, who brought up Tony Calder as co-founder, just a day after leaving working with the band. Having founded the label at just 21, Oldham reportedly sought to create a new dimension in pop music.

The label prioritized both musical quality and the visual style, creating an image that caters to sophistication, freedom and creativity. This was displayed through the company’s branding and presentation of their acts, as well as advertising artwork and innovative packaging.

Whilst Immediate was a relatively short-lived company, it’s impact was massive. Many of the artists it nurtured have gone on to become legends in the British music scene.

Rod Stewart’s first single on the label, “Shake,” charted within the UK Top 10. Following that success, the label released other Stewart hits such as “Can I Get a Witness”, “So Much to Say” and “Little Miss Understood.” Stewart’s 1969 album “An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down,” released on Immediate, remains a classic of British rock and eventually led to a glittering solo career.

The Small Faces were another act to bring great success to Immediate. Their first single on the label, “Whatcha Gonna Do About It,” earned the group their first UK Top 20 chart hit, followed up by further hits such as “Sha-La-La-La-Lee,” “All Or Nothing,” and “Tin Soldier.” When the band eventually disbanded and some members carried on, they became better celebrated under their following name, Faces, after new members joined such as Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart.

Ironically, one of the most profitable recordings made by Immediate was by an outside act. The label made an unbelievable deal with an American act Fleetwood Mac, granting them the rights to their new album “Then Play On” on the label’s distribution.

Despite their short-lived existence, Immediate Records established itself as an essential institution for fans of UK rock and pop music. The remarkable success of its acts make for a genuinely inspirational story about breaking the mold of the record label scene in Britain. In 1969, mere four years after it was founded, Immediate was forced to file for bankruptcy. Still, the label’s influence on music and the risks they took are still being felt decades later.

As we celebrate the 56th anniversary of Immediate Records, we treasure the legacy it left behind and we honor the dream of the company’s founders, Oldham and Calder. Immediate’s story is proof that British innovation and creativity are as crucial to the music industry as they have ever been.