That would be perfect for those plant employees who couldn't decipher the meaning of "Side 1" on the label.
That's what I was thinking. But maybe those guys had to work so fast that they had no time reading words on the labels.^^
It was on one side of cassingles that were the same on both sides. But it wasn't on seven inch singles.
Just guessing. I have no direct clue about that, especially because I don't own any original Columbia LPs from that era.
Just found this thread. Always wondered what it was as well. The first release I remember buying with the symbol on it was the cassette version of Joe Piscopo's New Jersey album. That was in '85. They also started doing the side labeling with the bold faced number 1 and 2 around that time as well, I believe. I don't have it at my current residence, but does anyone have a copy of Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Volumes I and II? It came out the same year, but I don't recall it having the symbol. I had the vinyl. I know some CD versions had other songs appended to the track list that didn't feature on the first editions, and subsequent CD reissues followed that formula.
Especially when the armchair detectives come in and give a bunch of suggestions that have already been discussed to death.
Thanks! Well, that clears that up. So is it safe to assume the symbol started in '85? I know as far as Billy's albums go, it's not on An Innocent Man, which came out in '83. Not sure off the top of my head what I have from '84 that's on CBS to check that year. Edit: I did some sleuthing, and 1984 must have been the year of the symbol's debut as the tape version of Born in the USA has it, as do some others.
This has puzzled me and my family for years also. I remember back in the 90's, we would talk about what the heck this "triangle thingy" was on CBS related cassettes and CDs. My dad said he bought a copy of British Steel by Judas Priest in 1984 that had the "triangle" on it. And that's the first time he noticed it. So in a way, some of us have been stumped about it since the beginning!
Wait, it might have been Defenders Of The Faith. Since that was actually released the same year. British Steel didn't become available on CD until 1986 IIRC. But it was definitely 1984 when he first saw it.
There are also many cassettes and LPs of titles from the 70's that have it. Though they may have been pressed/made at a later time.
Yeah, any of my original white shell Columbia tapes from the '70s don't have it, but I do know that reissues certainly do, especially when they went to clear shells.
Symbol signifies a recording that was available in three formats: LP, tape and Compact Disc. Each point of the triangle representing the format.
I've always wondered why Steve Hoffman has never commented in this thread. I would assume he'd know the folks that would know the answer or have a clue about this symbol and or logo. On the other hand, we'd might all be very disappointed if we ever got the answer. Sort of like finally hearing Carnival of Light.
This is probably known but I found the symbol on side 1 on cassette tape of Billy Joel's The Stranger. No mention of Sony. I am guessing it's a re-release that came out during the 80's or so since the cassette is clear and there is a big barcode on the front cover. Didnt expect to see it on a re-release?
Those in the know aren't allowed to comment on the triangle. We don't want harm coming to our friends and family.
We need someone from the Art Dept at CBS because they would have gotten a phone call or a guide sheet to know whether to place the triangle or not. This is why I incline to the idea that this is something from upper mgt rather than a manufacturing/sales related symbol.
Ok, whilst watching a YouTube video the other day (it's a guy who posts videos of himself opening military food parcels, some as old as the 1950s), I noticed behind him a box of supplies that had the (nearly) identical logo on one of the boxes. I say nearly, the only difference being that the point of the triangle inside the circle is the the point faces upwards. The thing that struck me though, is that inside the triangle are the letters "CD". I have a screenshot of the box on my phone, but since photobucket has changed, I can't figure out how to post it here, but it's there! This is just getting weird now