Acquisitions in that time included Chrysalis Records in 1991 and Richard Branson's Virgin Records - home to the Rolling Stones and Janet Jackson - a year later.

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Desmond moved on to selling ads for Beatles and Rolling Stones fan magazines and then opened a music store selling records and eventually equipment.

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His original fortune was made at Virgin Records, where he recorded British stars such as the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols.

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Several hit records followed, including It's All Over Now - later a UK number one for The Rolling Stones.

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