In 1932 two budget labels (Regal and Zonophone) were merged, forming Regal Zonophone. The label was originally used as the UK outlet for American releases from Okeh Records, Victor Records and Columbia Records, and was home to English musichall act George Formby. Its first hit record was by The Salvation Army. In 1967, EMI revived Regal Zonophone as an outlet for the new geneeration of British bands, with Tony Visconti and Denny Cordell as in-house producers. The label was home to artists such as The Move, Tyrannosaurus Rex (later T. Rex), Joe Cocker and Procol Harum. EMI closed down Regal Zonophone in 1974, then briefly reactivated the label in the 1990s.