The record label APPLE was launched in 1968. It was founded by the Beatles and their manager, Allen Klein. APPLE Records was the first major artist-owned record label and was responsible for releasing some of the most iconic albums of the 20th century, including the Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be. The label also released music from other artists such as Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and James Taylor. APPLE Records was eventually sold to EMI in the late 1970s.