1972–1980: Founding of Virgin Records thumb|The Manor Studio, Richard Branson's recording studio in the manor house at the village of Shipton-on-Cherwell in Oxfordshire In 1972, using money earned from his record store, Branson launched the record label Virgin Records with Nik Powell. The name "Virgin" was suggested by one of Branson's early employees because they were all new at business.Richard Branson – Losing my Virginity Branson bought a country estate north of Oxford in which he installed a residential recording studio, The Manor Studio. He leased studio time to fledgling artists, including multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, whose debut album Tubular Bells (1973) was the first release for Virgin Records and became a chart-topping best-seller.
1972–1980 founding of virgin records thumb|the manor studio richard branson's recording studio in the manor house at the village of shipton-on-cherwell in oxfordshire in 1972 using money earned from his record store branson launched the record label virgin records with nik powell the name "virgin" was suggested by one of branson's early employees because they were all new at businessrichard branson – losing my virginity branson bought a country estate north of oxford in which he installed a residential recording studio the manor studio he leased studio time to fledgling artists including multi-instrumentalist mike oldfield whose debut album tubular bells (1973) was the first release for virgin records and became a chart-topping best-seller