Who Is The Founder Of Jive Records? The Story Behind The Label

Jive Records, later stylized as JIVE Records, was an independent record label founded by Clive Calder in 1981 as a subsidiary of the Zomba Group. Clive Calder had a vision for a label that would focus on young, energetic artists, and he was determined to make Jive a force in the music industry.

Calder, a music industry veteran, had already made a name for himself with his previous ventures. He started his career in music publishing, working with artists like David Bowie and Elton John. He then founded the Zomba Group, a music conglomerate that would become home to Jive and several other successful labels.

Calder’s intuition for discovering talent was a key factor in Jive’s early success. He signed artists like New Kids on the Block, TLC, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears, who all went on to become global superstars. Jive’s success wasn’t just about discovering talent. The label also had a strong marketing and promotional team that helped break its artists into the mainstream.

Calder’s influence on the music industry was undeniable, and Jive Records became a major force in shaping the sound of the 1990s and early 2000s. Calder’s dedication to developing talent, his innovative approach to marketing, and his keen eye for spotting trends made him a true visionary in the music industry.