CBS/Columbia (Sony) (Europe)
CBS Records (the name given to American label Columbia Records in Europe, so as not to be confused with EMI's Columbia label) began as a separate label distributed by Philips only from around 1961, using the prefix AAG and three digits, its artists having for some years previously been issued on Philips itself. CBS broke away from Philips in or around 1966, and changed to a simple four digit sequence, beginning with CBS 1001. It distributed other American labels, including Epic with the prefix EPC, and Portrait with the prefix PRT, which CBS owned, and Philadelphia International Records also known by its prefix PIR, and A&M (1970s), prefixed AMS.
In 1981, the first series of four digits ran out (with CBS 9999), after which CBS simply started all over again but this time adding an "A" before the four digits. Thus the new sequence read CBS A 1000, EPC A 1000, etc.
By this time, twelve-inch singles were indicated with a "12" before the four digits for the 7" single: CBS A 12 1000.
In 1986 CBS changed its sequencing by abandoning the four digits system and introducing a new, seven digit system. Catalogue numbers now started with 65, followed by a four digit sequence and finishing with an added digit indicating the format. For instance, 650001 7 was a 7" vinyl single, 650001 4 a cassette single, or 650001 1 for the 12" single. Later, the 2 and 3 were added for 5" and 3" CD-singles.
This system was used until the merger of Sony Music (as CBS was known after 1990) and BMG Records in the early 2000s.
The final UK number one carrying the old four digit code was the appropriately titled 'The Final Countdown' by Europe in December, 1986 (Epic EPC A 7127), however the number one which preceded it, 'Take my breath away' by Berlin, had a higher code: CBS A 7320. The first UK number one under the new seven digit system was 'I just can't stop loving you' by Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett in August, 1987 (Epic 650202 7). (Earlier, 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' by George Michael & Aretha Franklin on the Epic label had also reached number one, but this carried the personalised catalogue number Epic DUET 2).
Read more about this topic: Catalog Numbering Systems For Single Records
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