In May 1974, Clive Davis became a consultant to Columbia Pictures Industries (CPI) for the company’s record and music operations, which had included the Bell Records label and its various subsidiaries. Later that year, Arista Records was formed, its stock owned by CPI and Davis. In addition to the cash capitalization of $10 million, Davis was given the rights to the entire music catalog of Columbia Pictures, plus the right to continue with any artist who had been on the Bell roster.

In 1979 Arista Records was acquired by Ariola (Bertelsmann). Due to the crisis in the American music market, caused by the general recession, Ariola sold 50% of Arista to RCA in 1983.

Two years later Bertelsmann and RCA started a joint venture for their music divisions, Ariola/RCA Records. In 1987 Bertelmann has purchased all stocks of the joint venture and the company became the owner of Ariola, Arista and RCA Records. The three music divisions were united in the same year under the roof of the Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG).

Arista is now a part of the RCA Music Group, a unit of SONY BMG.

Labelcode: LC 3484

This label contains releases on multinational markets. Do NOT create imprints for different countries.
Cover that information on new releases with the country field and with proper notes about the
release (i.e. releasing company, labelcode, (P)&(C) note, BIEM).