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Alannah Myles, a celebrated singer-songwriter known for her Grammy-winning hit "Black Velvet," brings her powerful vocals and extensive experience to various artistic and media endeavors.
Alannah Myles signed her first record contract with Atlantic Records, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, in 1987. She released her debut album and several subsequent albums with them until 1997. Her 1989 compilation with WMG is scheduled for termination in April 2024.
Originally signed in 1987, Atlantic Records released Alannah Myles's debut album which included the hit 'Black Velvet'. She terminated her eight-record contract with them in 1997. Her lawyers have served Atlantic Records termination notice for the US rights to her first U.S. record after 36 years, in 2024.
Following her departure from Atlantic Records in 1997, Alannah Myles signed with Ark 21 Records, owned by her then-manager Miles Copeland III. She released her album 'A Rival' on this label. The agreement for 'A Rival' was terminated in 2014, with copyright reversions returned to Myles by 2015.
MuchMusic (City TV) provided matched financing for Alannah Myles's music demos and video for 'Just One Kiss', which helped her secure her first record deal.
In 2008, Alannah Myles released her album 'Black Velvet' on Linus Entertainment. A six-year lease with the Canadian indie label was terminated in August 2013.
Linus Entertainment, with whom Alannah Myles released her 2008 'Black Velvet' album, merged with Canada's True North Records, resulting in a staggered international release of her album.
Alannah Myles re-released her independently owned album '85bpm' (a repackaged version of 'Black Velvet') digitally through Tunecore.com.
Audio CDs and a 25th-anniversary live concert DVD of Alannah Myles's '85bpm' album are distributed by Amazon.com.
Alannah Myles, born Alannah Byles on December 25, 1958, in Toronto, Canada, developed an early passion for music. She spent her youth in Toronto and on her family’s ranch in Buckhorn, Ontario, where she also competed as an equestrian. Prior to her music career, Myles pursued studies to become a graphic artist and gained experience in varied fields including acting in TV commercials, modeling, wardrobe styling for local celebrities, and working as a makeup artist. These early endeavors helped fund her initial demo tapes as she sought a record deal. After a decade of performing in diverse venues such as concert halls, nightclubs, and hotel bars, she dedicated five years to recording her debut album.
Her self-titled debut album, “Alannah Myles,” was released in Canada in May 1989 by Atlantic Records (Warner Music Group). This album featured four Top 40 singles: “Love Is,” “Black Velvet,” “Lover of Mine,” and “Still Got This Thing.” The international release of the album in 1990 brought widespread success with “Black Velvet” reaching number one internationally. This achievement led to Myles winning a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocalist in 1990 and several Canadian Juno Awards. The album was also certified Diamond for sales exceeding one million in Canada, a unique status for a debut record. “Black Velvet” later received the ASCAP award for over one million radio plays and the ASCAP ‘Millionaire Award’ in 2005 for over five million radio plays. Her follow-up album, “Rockinghorse” (1992), earned a Grammy nomination for its title track and three Canadian Juno Awards. Myles continued to release music, including “A-lan-nah” in 1995 and “Arrival” in 1997, which featured the Top 40 hit “Bad 4 You.
Myles has maintained an independent spirit throughout her career, navigating complex relationships with record labels. After concluding her alliance with Atlantic Records, she signed with Ark 21 Records, later concluding that agreement and regaining full copyright ownership of her work. In 2008, she independently released “Black Velvet,” which included a re-recording of her iconic song. This album was later repackaged and retitled “85bpm” for her 25th anniversary, further emphasizing her control over her musical catalog. She has worked with collaborators such as Christopher Ward, David Tyson, Nancy Simmonds, and Robert Priest. Myles is currently working on new music projects, including a blues album, an opera, and a children’s album, demonstrating her continued artistic exploration despite personal health challenges.
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