Carnival Records was a record label started in 1961 by Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert. They released one record, which was distributed via Dot Records. However, problems occurred because there already existed another "Carnival Records", and they changed the name in 1962 to A&M Records. Carnival was a record label by the John Wanamaker department stores (est. 1861) which is credited as the first department store concept. Records produced for the John Wanamaker Carnival label were often 78 rpm records in the Jazz and Big Band genres. Later in the 1960s, there was another Carnival Records label whose main focus was rhythm and blues. This label's roster included The Manhattans and Lee Williams & The Cymbals.
