HAIDA RECORDS

"Our association with A&M has already begun to bear fruit with the initial release by Valdy. After meeting with each distributor, I am more confident than ever that Haida Records will be an influence on the national record scene."--Keith Lawrence, President Haida Records

"Keith Lawrence has shown he has a keen ear for talent and can direct it to its full potential."--Gerry Lacoursiere, Managing Director A&M Records Canada

Keith Lawrence was the manager of the band Chilliwack when it signed with A&M Records in 1971. He then started Haida Records in Victoria, Canada. "I had a name for the label and A&M was number one on the list of companies I wanted to talk to." He met with Jerry Moss and they made a deal.

Haida Records and A&M Records of Canada entered a distribution agreement in July 1972. Jerry Moss negotiated and completed the deal. A&M would handle all sales through its Toronto office. The agreement ran through 1973. Lawrence told Billboard that A&M would distribute Haida recordings worldwide.

Keith Lawrence's brother Clare Lawrence, former lead singer of Chilliwack, was the first artist to join Haida. Valdy joined soon after. Haida also signed a rock group named Spring from Vancouver. A single with the song title "So Far Away" written by Terry Frewer (formerly with Spring) was planned for a February 1973 release. It was never released. Kathy Stack and Thumrock Stallion were also early Haida artists.

In May 1973 "Haida Info" was first published by A&M, a catalog of the label's awards and chart performance.

Valdy's success with his first three singles and debut album that sold 20,000 copies by September 1973 helped launch and sustain Haida in its earliest days.

On July 26, A&M raised the album prices from $6.49 and $6.98 to $7.29.

Around September 1973, Haida Records "went dormant" per Billboard (September 21, 1974, C-16). Keith Lawrence was operating two cabarets in Victoria, Canada.

SOURCES:

A&M Signs Agreement With Haida Records. RPM, July 22, 1972.
A&M Set For Fall Assault. RPM, October 28, 1972.

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