The name Philips Records chose in the 1960s for its new progressive label to counter those of its rivals EMI (with Harvest Records), Decca (with Deram Records) and RCA (with Neon Records).

First releases on the Vertigo label were first briefly released on the Philips-owned Fontana label and then switched to Vertigo.

Many of the classic progressive rock albums of the 1970s were released by Vertigo. Some of the first artists to sign included Colosseum, Black Sabbath, Kraftwerk and Keith Tippett.

After Philips Records was renamed to Phonogram Records, major artists like Status Quo and Thin Lizzy also joined Vertigo.

Vertigo is now a division of Mercury Records and distributes Status Quo, Metallica and Dire Straits.