Quality Records

Founded in 1949 in Toronto, Quality Records quickly rose to prominence as one of Canada’s most influential independent record labels. At a time when international music was hard to access north of the border, Quality became the conduit for American rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, and pop, licensing major U.S. labels like Chess Records and Sun Records. This gave Canadian listeners their first taste of legends like Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis—artists who would shape global music history.

But Quality Records wasn’t just an importer of international sounds. The label also played a vital role in fostering Canadian talent. A standout moment came in 1967 with the release of Bobby Gimby’s “Canada,” an anthem that became a hit during the nation’s centennial celebration. The label also supported now-iconic Canadian acts such as The Guess Who and Stompin’ Tom Connors, helping to build a distinctly Canadian music identity.

In the 1980s, Quality adapted to the era of mixtapes and FM radio hits with popular compilation albums like Rock ’85 and This Is Music. While the label officially folded in 1985, it was briefly revived in the 1990s as Quality Music & Video, releasing chart-toppers like Timmy T’s “One More Try” before closing its doors for good in 1997.

Today, Quality Records is remembered not only for its impressive catalog but also for its role in shaping Canadian musical taste during a transformative period. From global licensing deals to centennial celebrations, Quality Records left an indelible mark on Canada’s cultural history.