Vertigo ‘Swirl’ Albums – watch the video

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Formed in late 1969 by Philips Records, Vertigo was the brainchild of founder Olav Wyper to compete with other companies’ subsidiary labels such as EMI’s Harvest.

Launched in 1969 to specialise in progressive rock and other non-mainstream musical styles. The first Vertigo releases came with a distinctive black and white spiral label, and was short-lived in the original ‘swirl’ format (1969-1973), eventually replaced with Roger Dean’s infamous spaceship design in 1973. Although still active today as part of the Universal Music Group.

The label became home to bands like Colosseum, Jade Warrior, Affinity, Ben, Black Sabbath, Gentle Giant and other bands from ‘the “cutting edge” of the early-’70s British prog-folk-post-psych circuit’, but despite the relative success of some of the artists like Rod Stewart, Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep, the vast majority of the releases suffered from poor sales and disappeared into obscurity, becoming very had to find and sought after releases, and some of most desirable & prized LPs by collectors.

This video shows some of the fantastic album covers used on the albums during the four-year span, including items we have had or currently have in stock.

Check out our website eil.com to see just what we have available.