Founded by impresario Robert Stigwood (RSO stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation) in partnership with Polydor Records in the late 1960s, following the death of his business partner and mentor Brian Epstein. The company's main HQ was in London, UK.

RSO managed the careers of several major artists, including Eric Clapton and the Bee Gees.

By 1981, Stigwood had ended his involvement with the label, which was absorbed into Polydor.