Takeover Targets

A&M; Records, Los Angeles. Owners: Trumpet player Herb Alpert and former record promoter Jerry Moss. Estimated annual sales: $300 million. Artists: Sting, .38 Special, David Crosby, Toni Childs, John Hiatt. Likely asking price: at least $500 million. Virgin Records, London. Owner: British entrepreneur/adventurer Richard Branson. Annual sales: $228 million (fiscal year ended July 31, 1987) Artists: Steve Winwood, the late Roy Orbison, Paula Abdul, Boy George. Not for sale at this time. Island Records, New York and London. Owner: British/Jamaican entrepreneur Chis Blackwell. Estimated annual sales: $200 million. Artists: U2, Tone-Loc, Melissa Ethridge, Anthrax, Etta James, River Phoenix, the late Bob Marley. Likely asking price: $200 million to $250 million. Geffen Records, Los Angeles. Owner: Record and movie magnate David Geffen. Estimated annual sales: $150 million to $200 million. Artists: Guns n’ Roses, Whitesnake, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Tesla, Cher. Not for sale at this time.