From Sonic Youth to Sia, the surprising history of Starbucks’ record label: https://t.co/ulpAaWCmIEpic.twitter.com/2krrRowY8a
— Dazed (@Dazed) January 22, 2018
Starbucks has been in business since 1971, so they've explored several business ventures over the years — some successful and others not so much. Here are a few highlights from their failed attempt at breaking into the music industry:
-Kenny G, who takes credit for inventing the Frappuccino, was a Starbucks investor who turned them onto the music business
-In 1999, Starbucks bought the record label Hear Music, which let customers create their own mix CD. The idea of turning Starbucks into a concept store where people could drink coffee and rip CDs was toyed with.
-By 2007, Hear Music had Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, and Joni Mitchell on board. It was also the source of a hit Sia album. However, Starbucks Entertainment had formed, with Sonic Youth on board.
-Pitchfork roasted Thurston Moore for getting involved in such an endeavour.
-Eventually, lawsuits and negative press prevailed, and digital music took over, with Spotify curating the content and Starbucks deciding to stick to coffee.
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Shout-out to my local Starbucks playing The Church's Under The Milky Way at 7:00 am on a weekday!