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Napster
From its origin in 1999 to the injunction shutting it down and its bankruptcy in 2002, the history of Napster encapsulates the impact of technology on music distribution. It ranges from P2P file sharing, superstars, the promotion of new bands, the RIAA, copyright infringement, landmark court decisions, licensing, bankruptcy, the sale of trademarks and assets to subscription and streaming services. The in-depth study of Napster will illuminate the underlying tensions and issues in the music industry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napster
http://www.sean.co.uk/a/musicjournalism/var/historyoffilesharing.shtm

Visit a site dedicated to the history of the record labels such as

History of Record Labels and the Music Industry Curated by Alex Cosper of Playlist Research, this site briefly summarizes the history of the business from Edison and Berliner through American Idol and iTunes.
http://www.playlistresearch.com/recordindustry.htm

The History of Atlantic Records Formed in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson, Atlantic records was a groundbreaking independent label that recorded hundreds of hits in R&B, progressive jazz, blues, and rock and roll.
http://www.bsnpubs.com/atlantic/atlanticstory.html