Reprise Records Story

Reprise Records Story
By David Edwards, Patrice Eyries, and Mike Callahan
Last update: July 25, 2004

Reprise Records was started by Frank Sinatra in 1960 as a vehicle for his own recordings, and the recordings of his Las Vegas pals, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Early album releases by Frank Sinatra himself used the F-1000 series, while others were issued on the R-2000 and R-6000 series.

Sinatra sold Reprise to Warner Brothers in 1963. The combined Warner Brothers/Reprise labels kept separate A&R divisions for a while with Jimmy Bowen heading A&R for Reprise.

The first reprise label was pink, gold and green with black printing. Above the center hole to the left was a steamboat drawing, with "reprise" to the right. This label was used for the 6000 series from early 1961 to mid 1968 approximately number 6280. This same label was used on the 2000 series into 1964, approximately number 2023. The 1000 Frank Sinatra series usually had a picture of Frank Sinatra on the label instead of the steamboat drawing.

Reprise also used some special labels. There was also a Pop Series label that was green, brown and pink (sometimes blue) that was used on albums in both the 2000 and 6000 series in the early 1960's. Above the Reprise logo was "POP SERIES", with a steamboat drawing to the left. There was also a Jazz Series label that was used that was yellow, red, and green with "JAZZ SERIES' above the Reprise logo, instead of a steamboat drawing there was a drawing of an angel playing an lyre. This label was used in the early 1960's on jazz series releases in the 6000 series. The 5000 spoken word series used a green, brown and blue label with "SPOKEN WORD' above the Reprise logo, instead of the steamboat drawing was an owl drawing to the left.

The second label design was brown and orange with black print. Above the center hole to the left was a steamboat drawing with "REPRISE RECORDS" to the right. Above the name was the W7 logo and a Reprise logo. This label was used from early 1968, approximately 6280 to late 1970, approximately 6403. The third label was similar to the second but the W7 logo was removed and there is no mention of Warner-7 Arts at the bottom of the label. This label was used from late 1970, approximately number 6410 to late 1976, to the end of the 6000 series, number 6484. This label was also used on the 2000 series on numbers above 2024 to approximately number 2230.

The forth label was brown with black print. The steamboat logo was above the center hole to the left with the Reprise logo to the right with REPRISE RECORDS" below it. This label was used from late 1976, approximately number 2240, and above.

We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with Reprise Records. Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (all of which are out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 2004 by Mike Callahan.

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 1 F/R9-1000 to FS/FS4-1034 (1961-1972)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 2 R/R9-6001 to R/RS-6199 (1961-1966)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 3 R/RS-6200 - RS-6399 (1966-1970)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 4 RS-6400 to 2RS-6484 (1970-1973)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 5 R/R9-2000 to R/R9-2199 (1961-1974)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 6 MS-2200 to FS-2305 (1974-1981)

On to the Reprise Album Discography, Part 7 Miscellaneous Series (5000, 50,000, Promotional, Related)

Back to the Warner Brothers Records Story

Back to the Discography Listings Page

Back to the Both Sides Now Home Page

		The first reprise label was pink, gold and green with black printing. Above the center hole to the left was a steamboat drawing, with "reprise" to the right. This label was used for the 6000 series from early 1961 to mid 1968 approximately number 6280. This same label was used on the 2000 series into 1964, approximately number 2023. The 1000 Frank Sinatra series usually had a picture of Frank Sinatra on the label instead of the steamboat drawing.
		Reprise also used some special labels. There was also a Pop Series label that was green, brown and pink (sometimes blue) that was used on albums in both the 2000 and 6000 series in the early 1960's. Above the Reprise logo was "POP SERIES", with a steamboat drawing to the left. There was also a Jazz Series label that was used that was yellow, red, and green with "JAZZ SERIES' above the Reprise logo, instead of a steamboat drawing there was a drawing of an angel playing an lyre. This label was used in the early 1960's on jazz series releases in the 6000 series. The 5000 spoken word series used a green, brown and blue label with "SPOKEN WORD' above the Reprise logo, instead of the steamboat drawing was an owl drawing to the left.
		The second label design was brown and orange with black print. Above the center hole to the left was a steamboat drawing with "REPRISE RECORDS" to the right. Above the name was the W7 logo and a Reprise logo. This label was used from early 1968, approximately 6280 to late 1970, approximately 6403. The third label was similar to the second but the W7 logo was removed and there is no mention of Warner-7 Arts at the bottom of the label. This label was used from late 1970, approximately number 6410 to late 1976, to the end of the 6000 series, number 6484. This label was also used on the 2000 series on numbers above 2024 to approximately number 2230.
		The forth label was brown with black print. The steamboat logo was above the center hole to the left with the Reprise logo to the right with REPRISE RECORDS" below it. This label was used from late 1976, approximately number 2240, and above.