There was a change waiting to happen which was far more than just the music. When Cherry Red put out its first single in Spring 1978, a radical change in the structure of the business was just beginning. The Rough Trade and Mute labels, among others, had started a few months earlier and there was the beginning of a whole new support structure for those who wanted to start their own record label. From nowhere came independent pressing services, independent distributors, independent promotion people, independent marketing experts, independent international agents etc.

Suddenly it was possible to live your dream (or part of it). Anyone could record some songs, start a record label, get some radio play AND see the records available in record shops. And some of them sold really well.

By the turn of the decade it was obvious that the phenomenon was not going to go away. In fact quite the opposite was true - it was getting stronger and bigger! Some acts on independent labels were now selling enough to make the Top 10 of the National charts. But, at the same time, there were literally hundreds of releases that were still selling significantly, even if not well enough to make the National charts.

I remember waking up with an idea one morning in December 1979; 'Why doesn't someone compile a proper independent chart based on accurate sales information' I thought to myself. I suggested the idea to Record Business, a weekly trade paper, and within a few weeks the chart was up and running. The rules were simple; any record was eligible that didn't go through the major record distributors.

The chart was immediate very effective. It helped shops order records, provided information for radio stations on what was really selling, and showed record companies abroad which companies were worth talking to regarding licensing releases for their territories.

For 10 years the chart served a clear purpose, and for many labels was 'the' chart.

But by the beginning of the 1990's it all began to change. The major record companies, who by this time had pretty much regrouped to become part of 6 huge multi-national corporations, decided that having an 'indie hit' was a good way of breaking a new act. So they began to form their own 'indie' labels which went through independent distribution. By 1993 the independent chart had become a farce. Many of the records in it had nothing to do with independent companies, and although a chart is still published today, it has become meaningless. 'Indie' is now a genre marketing term and has absolutely nothing to do with what it originally meant.

The period from 1980 to 1989, which this information covers, was a wonderfully exciting time for all those involved with releasing independent records. Whether you are using this site as a reminder of some of the acts and songs which were indie hits during that time, or as a younger reader using it to help learn the history of the independent record sector, I hope this site provides you many hours of pleasurable reading.

Enjoy it!

lain McNay

Cherry Red Books and Records. October 1997