Founded in 1953 in Madrid, Hispavox was Spain's leading record company throughout the '60s and '70s. It was taken over by EMI in 1985, though the label itself was continued. Its British history is far shorter: as far as 7" records are concerned, it issued just eleven of them during the period 1966-70. Singles were numbered in a HXS-300 series, starting at HXS-300, and there also a couple of EPs, by Raphael, which were numbered in the HXE-200s. The only Hispavox 7" to be issued in the 1970s was the very last, 'A Song Of Joy' by Miguel Rios (HXS-309), which came out in February 1970. It may not actually have reached the shops, as I have yet to see an issue; the few copies that I have seen have been promotional ones. 'A Song Of Joy' reappeared on A&M four months or so later (minus its 'A'), presumably under a licensing agreement, so if the Hispavox version was actually issued it must have been around for a very short time. Manufacture and distribution of British Hispavoxes was by Pye: the promo label is of a typical late '60s / early '70s Pye design.
Copyright 2011 Robert Lyons.