Lyra

Greek independent record label based in Athens, formed in 1964 by Αλέκος Πατσιφάς (Alekos Patsifas) and Κυριάκος Μαραβέλιας (Kyriakos Maravelias).
Label Code: LC 18690
Owned by Εταιρεία Γενικών Εκδόσεων Α.Ε. / General Publishing Company. After Alekos Patsifas' death in 1981, the label was owned by Kyriakos Maravelias alone, and later, after his death in 1991, by his son, Πάνος Μαραβέλιας. In 1998 Lyra had a 5.7% share of the Greek market. On April 2007, Lyra was bought by Legend Recordings, of Modern Times Group of Companies (Modern Times (2)), controlled by Costas A. Giannikos.

--- LP catalog numbers ---
• Early LP releases (in mono) have an XLP #### (or XLP 3-####) catalog number on labels, and the same number without prefix on the cover.
• Later LP releases (in stereo) have an SYLP #### catalog number on labels, and the same number without prefix on the cover.
• There are also LP releases where the catalog number on both cover and labels is simply #### (no prefix).
Please always enter (when present) the XLP #### (or XLP 3-####) or the SYLP #### catalog number first, and the plain catalog number second.
The YLP #### is not a catalog number and should not be confused with SYLP ####. Please always enter YLP #### in the BAOI section as matrix number. (This applies only to LP releases, as cassette releases do use YLP #### catalog number formatting.)

--- LP label design ---
• Early mono releases (catalog numbers with XLP prefix, until around 1968) have grey labels.
• Early stereo releases have dark green labels, split STE REO on top, "Made in Greece" on rim text.
• Around 1969-1971 (?) some (all?) releases have royal blue labels.
• In the early 1970's, records come with dark green labels, split STE REO on top, "Manufactured in Greece by C.G.C.G. Ltd." on rim text.
• Around mid 1970's, records come with dark green labels, 'STEREO' (5 o'clock position) and "Manufactured in Greece by C.G.C.G. Ltd." on rim text.
• Later issues have silver/grey labels.
(There are a few oddities/exceptions to the above, such as Ποτέ Την Κυριακή, a stereo issue with dark green labels and XLP... catalog number)

--- Costas A. Giannikos credits ---
After the label was bought by Costas A. Giannikos, every Lyra release features the wording "Compiled By - Costas A. Giannikos". Please enter this in notes only, as Mr. Giannikos is not actually the compiler of these releases. However, production credits for Costas A. Giannikos (and name variations) are accurate and may be entered.