The Case of Geffen Records and the MCA Conflict in Elton John’s Career

The Case of Geffen Records and the MCA Conflict in Elton John’s Career

1970s: The Initial Partnership with MCA

Throughout much of the 1970s, Elton John’s American career was managed and distributed by MCA Records, achieving great commercial success. At the same time, he retained autonomy in the United Kingdom through the Rocket Record Company label.
This period includes some of the greatest albums of his career, but by the late 1970s, his contract with MCA was nearing its end, with a remaining contractual obligation to deliver new material.

1977: The Thom Bell Sessions

In June-July 1977, Elton John recorded six tracks with legendary Philadelphia soul producer Thom Bell at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

These sessions produced:

“Mama Can’t Buy You Love”

“Are You Ready for Love”

“Three Way Love Affair”

And three other tracks that were unreleased at the time.

For commercial and strategic reasons, MCA did not immediately release the full set of material.

1979: Partial Release of the Sessions

In 1979, MCA released an EP titled The Thom Bell Sessions, featuring three of the six tracks recorded in 1977.
The single “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” reached the Top 10 on the US Billboard charts.
This release gave the material renewed commercial life, but Elton’s contract with MCA still required delivery of a full new album.

1980–1981: The Origin of the Conflict with MCA

With the contract still active and needing formal closure, Elton John offered MCA the three remaining Thom Bell tracks to fulfill his final contractual obligation.
MCA refused, claiming the tracks did not constitute a full, original album as stipulated by the contract.
Additionally, MCA withheld a payment of $1.3 million due to Elton upon contract completion.

This disagreement led Elton John, his manager John Reid, and his company Sackville Productions to sue MCA for breach of contract.
Elton’s argument: the material delivered met his contractual obligations.
The lawsuit sought the owed payments and contractual freedom.

MCA’s Response and Legal Escalation

MCA counter-sued, alleging that:

Elton had not properly fulfilled the contract.

MCA sought compensation for production costs already incurred.

Elton attempted to block releases of new albums on other labels.
MCA also requested a restraining order to prevent the release of a new Elton John album on a different label.

1981: David Geffen’s Entry and the Beginning of the Geffen Records Partnership

While the litigation with MCA continued, Elton John signed with the newly founded Geffen Records, created in 1980 by David Lawrence Geffen — a renowned executive who had established Asylum Records in the 1970s.
David Geffen was known for his negotiation skills, strategic vision, and for launching careers of artists such as Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and The Eagles.
Geffen Records quickly became one of the most important labels in the US.

Geffen agreed to distribute Elton’s new album The Fox (1981) in the United States.
MCA attempted to block the release through legal means, but the court denied their request.
The Fox was released successfully, marking the official start of Elton John’s Geffen Records era in the American market.

1981–1989: The Geffen Records Period

Throughout the 1980s, Elton John released his albums in the US via Geffen Records, including:

The Fox (1981)

Jump Up! (1982)

Too Low for Zero (1983)

Breaking Hearts (1984)

Ice on Fire (1985)

Leather Jackets (1986)

Reg Strikes Back (1988)

This phase brought Elton greater stability and creative freedom, despite some fluctuations in commercial success.

1990: The Sale of Geffen Records and End of the Contract

In 1990, David Geffen sold Geffen Records to MCA — the very label Elton had litigated against.
Sale price: $550 million in stock.
With the acquisition, Geffen Records ceased to be independent.
Artist contracts, including Elton John’s, were absorbed into the MCA/Geffen/Sony corporate structure.
Elton’s direct relationship with Geffen gradually dissolved.

1990s and Beyond: Elton Gains Control Over His Catalog

Following changes in the music industry’s structure, Elton John entered a new phase:

Signing long-term direct agreements with Universal Music Group.

Taking greater control over his copyrights and catalog.

Consolidating global partnerships for remasters, reissues, and comprehensive discography management.

Who is David Geffen Today

Born February 21, 1943.

Founder of Asylum Records, Geffen Records, DGC Records, and co-founder of DreamWorks SKG.

Sold his label for $550 million in 1990.

Currently retired, with an estimated net worth between $9 billion and $9.1 billion.

One of the largest philanthropists in the US:

$300 million to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

$150 million to the Lincoln Center (David Geffen Hall)

Major donations to MoMA and AIDS-related organizations.

Also among the world’s leading art collectors and retains strong cultural influence.

Photos:

David Geffen and Two Historic Music-Related Moments

The two images capture distinct but equally symbolic moments in the career of David Geffen, one of the most influential executives in the music industry.

Image 1 — David Geffen and Yoko Ono on the Night of John Lennon’s Death (December 8, 1980)

The first photo shows David Geffen beside a visibly distraught Yoko Ono, just hours after John Lennon was assassinated in New York City.
At this dramatic moment in music history, Geffen was deeply involved with the couple, as Geffen Records had just released Double Fantasy, marking Lennon’s return to music after years of seclusion.
David Geffen personally signed Lennon and Yoko Ono to Geffen Records in 1980 under a highly anticipated contract. The album was released in November 1980, and days later Lennon was murdered outside the Dakota building.
Following the tragedy, Geffen was present offering support to Yoko Ono in the immediate aftermath, as shown in the photograph. This event marked one of the most traumatic moments in recent music history and profoundly impacted Geffen’s personal and professional life.

Image 2 — David Geffen with Elton John, Carly Simon, and James Taylor (1974)

The second image takes us back to an earlier time, during the height of the 1970s music scene.
Taken around mid-1974, likely at a party or social event in Los Angeles, the photo features some of the era’s top international music artists gathered together.

Sources

Wikipedia: David Geffen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Geffen

Forbes: David Geffen Profile and Net Worth
https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-geffen

Bloomberg: Sale of Geffen Records
https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/david-l-geffen

Wikipedia: Geffen Records
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geffen_Records

Wikipedia: The Fox (Elton John album)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fox_(Elton_John_album)

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