Started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records, the recording arm of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres.

ABC-Paramount became one of the major players in the North American music industry in the 1950s and 1960s, signing many early rock and roll artists, and launching/purchasing many sub-labels including Impulse! Records. Early big selling artists were Paul Anka, Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones, Lloyd Price, Eydie Gorme and Ray Charles (when he left Atlantic Records in 1960). An early licencing deal with British EMI meant exposure to the European market on the HMV Records and Columbia Records labels.

In 1965, ABC-Paramount Records changed its name to ABC Records. They distributed Dunhill Records until this label was purchased to form ABC Dunhill Records. They also distributed Sire Records.

ABC Records was sold in 1979 to MCA Records which dissolved the ABC label. The better selling albums in the ABC Records catalogue were reissued on the MCA label.