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I.R.S. Records

by Miles Copelandvia How I Built This
Growthpartnerships

I.R.S. Records was founded by music industry mogul Miles Copeland in the early 1970s, initially booking British bands before pivoting to promote punk groups. The label gained prominence after securing a deal with A&M Records to represent The Police (featuring Miles' brother Stewart Copeland), which became one of his most important career moves. Over its lifetime, I.R.S. Records signed and managed some of the 1980s' most popular acts including R.E.M. and The Go-Go's, before dissolving in the mid-1990s.

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