The
RPM Record Company (Pty) Ltd. was founded in 1967 by clarinettist
Dan Hill and ex-
GRC sales manager Matt Mann, with the original offices situated in Electro House, at the corner of Goud & Fox Streets, downtown Johannesburg.
In 1979 the two formed the legendary
RPM Studios, the most advanced in the country. The studio joined the
Gallo Group in 1982. It was renamed
Downtown Studios in 1991 and has hosted artists like
éVoid,
Via Afrika,
Manfred Mann,
Dolly Parton,
Simply Red, even
U2.
In 1996,
RPM Records merged with the
Gallo Record Company and is now the division handling Gallo's domestic roster whilst
RPM Dance has become South Africa's biggest dance label.
Note:
RPM Records and
RPM Dance share the same catalogue numbering scheme
(CDRPM ####).