Suzy (record label)
Yugoslav record label that survived the breakup under its original name.
Suzy Records (Croatian: Suzy produkcija gramofonskih ploča) is a record label headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia. Founded in 1972 within the Socialist Republic of Croatia, part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it ranked among the major record labels in the country. Following the collapse of the socialist system and the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the company reorganized as SUZY d.o.o. (a limited liability company). Unlike larger rivals such as Jugoton and PGP-RTB—which rebranded as Croatia Records and PGP-RTS, respectively—Suzy kept its original name. During the 2000s, several of its older, significant domestic releases were reissued in partnership with another Croatian label, Hit Records.
The label’s roster has included a range of artists. Like other former Yugoslav record companies, Suzy also licensed and released many foreign pop and rock albums for the local market. These included works by AC/DC, Adam and the Ants, Asia, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Blue Öyster Cult, The Clash, Leonard Cohen, Phil Collins, Elvis Costello, Alice Cooper, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Eagles, Europe, Fleetwood Mac, John Fogerty, Aretha Franklin, Iron Butterfly, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin, Judas Priest, Cyndi Lauper, Led Zeppelin, MC5, Midnight Oil, Mother’s Finest, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Sade, Santana, Bob Seger, Simon & Garfunkel and Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Toto, Johnny Winter, Yes, and many others. Suzy worked closely with international major labels, including CBS Records.
Other major labels in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia included PGP-RTB and Jugodisk from Belgrade, Jugoton from Zagreb, Diskoton from Sarajevo, ZKP RTLJ from Ljubljana, and Diskos from Aleksandrovac.
The label has used three distinct logos since its founding: the first from 1972 to 1974, the second from 1974 to 1984, and the third, still in use, from 1984 onward.
- founded
- 1972
- location
- Zagreb, Croatia
- field
- Record label
- nationality
- Croatian (formerly Yugoslav)
- known_for
- Releasing domestic and foreign pop and rock albums in Yugoslavia
Lore & Background
The label released numerous foreign pop and rock albums for the domestic market, including works by AC/DC, The Clash, Leonard Cohen, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and many others. Suzy closely cooperated with international major labels such as CBS Records. The label used three different logos: the first from 1972 to 1974, the second from 1974 to 1984, and the third from 1984 onward.
Reader's Guide
Suzy Records holds significance as a Yugoslav-era record label that adapted to post-socialist changes while preserving its identity. Unlike its larger rivals Jugoton and PGP-RTB, which changed names after the breakup of Yugoslavia, Suzy continued under the same name, reflecting a distinct continuity. Its catalog included both domestic artists and licensed international releases, making it a conduit for Western pop and rock music in the Yugoslav market. The label's cooperation with CBS Records and other major international labels allowed it to distribute albums by iconic acts such as AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson. The re-release of older domestic titles with Hit Records in the 2000s helped maintain its legacy. Suzy's three distinct logos mark its visual evolution from 1972 to the present. As one of several major labels in the former Yugoslavia—alongside PGP-RTB, Jugoton, Diskoton, and others—Suzy contributed to the region's music industry and cultural exchange during and after the socialist period.
Did You Know?
- Suzy was established in 1972 in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Suzy transformed into a limited company but kept its name, unlike Jugoton and PGP-RTB.
- Suzy released foreign albums by artists such as AC/DC, The Clash, Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, and The Rolling Stones.
- The label used three different logos: from 1972 to 1974, 1974 to 1984, and from 1984 onward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Suzy Records?
Suzy Records is a Croatian record label based in Zagreb that was established in 1972 as a state-owned enterprise within the Socialist Republic of Croatia. It operated as one of the major music companies in Yugoslavia, issuing both domestic and international pop and rock albums.
Where is Suzy Records headquartered and when did it start?
The label is based in Zagreb, Croatia, and was founded in 1972 during the Yugoslav era. It functioned as a state-owned production company for gramophone records within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
What happened to Suzy Records after the breakup of Yugoslavia?
In the 1990s, following the collapse of the socialist system, the company reorganized itself as SUZY d.o.o., a limited liability company. Despite the political upheaval, it continued operating under its original name rather than adopting a new brand.
How is Suzy Records different from other former Yugoslav labels like Jugoton or PGP-RTB?
While Jugoton rebranded as Croatia Records and PGP-RTB became PGP-RTS, Suzy retained its original name throughout the transition to a market economy. This makes it a notable survivor that kept its identity intact while its larger competitors changed their branding.
What kind of music did Suzy Records put out?
The label was known for releasing both domestic and foreign pop and rock albums across Yugoslavia. It served as a key distribution channel for music in the socialist era, competing with larger state labels for market share.
More in State-owned record labels 1-21
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record