Essay on The Independent Record Labels of the 1950 s and 1960 s - 4448 Words
The Independent Record Labels of the 1950’s and 1960’s
History of Music Production
Eric Eller
Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, a wave of new musical movements by independent record labels and new artists emerged in the United States. This movement is captured in the stories of those label creators and owners, and in the turbulent journey through their successes and failures.  The first emergence was fueled by multiple factors: competitive economic circumstances, up-and-coming local musical talent in conjunction with the independent labels and studio owners, and the commercially viable musical interest and curiosity of consumers in these local artists. An article poses another causative factor that makes sense: when rock and roll was a new genre, major labels such as Columbia, Capitol, and RCA were “reluctant to sign these acts; thus, sprung forth the independent label” (Jacobs). Grassroots production and engineering enthusiasts were given an in-road into the music industry and were able to gain their own clients in independent local artists. Independent label owners in connection with this local talent generate publicity and profit.  One such example is found with the duo of Polish immigrant brothers named Leonard and Phil Chess, also known as the Blues Brothers.  The Chess brothers bought sole ownership of Aristocrat Records in 1950, and change its name to Chess Records.  Leonard specialized as the hands-on producer for the label, while Phil focused on finances and marketing.  They found a signature sound in the electric guitar of Muddy Waters.  Besides Muddy Watters, their rostser included Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Willie Nixon, Etta James, Little Walter, Billie Stewart, and Howlin’ Wolf.’   Chapter Three of the History of Music Production Binder states:
Chess Records flourished in those early days of both Rhythm and Blues and independent record companies…Chess, along with Atlantic, Aladdin, Specialty, Imperial, Modern and King were giving the public music that they couldn’t get from the larger, established, “major” record companies. (page 47)
This quote explains that there was a multitude of independent record labels that emerged around this time.  How did all of these homemade labels gain bearings? They were allowed financial success because there was actually a public commercial market to invest in their musical productions.  In other words, there was a significant number of  people were looking for a different sound and these labels could produce local talents that had the sound these consumers were looking and listening for. One of the independent labels mentioned in the quote above is Imperial Records.  Founded in the late 40’s by Lew Chudd, its roster include Ricky Nelson and Fats Nelson. Chudd ended up purchasing Aladdin and Minit Records in 1960.  In ’63, however, Domino and Nelson left for other labels and Chudd sold Imperial to Liberty Records.  Liberty found success with the Imperial artists Irma Thomas, Johnny Rivers, Jacky DeShanon, and Cher. (‘Independent Record Labels’)  During the time known as the ‘British Invasion’ which I go into depth about later in the paper, Liberty’s recordings were distributed by EMI in Britain. In turn, EMI licensed its artists The Hollies, Billy J. Thomas and The Sakotas, and others to be released on Imperial.    By 1969, Imperial records had been phased out and all artists were absorbed by Liberty.  Today EMI owns the Imperial Records Catalog.
The Memphis Recording Service, which became Sun Studios, was owned by Sam Philips.  Philips was a local blues and country disc jockey whose business had been mainly comprised of recording local blues and country musicians and some weddings.  He started by recording artists who were signed under other independent labels, and eventually decided to start his own record label.  He called it Sun Records.  The facilities at Sun started humbly and could certainly be considered...
...RUNNING HEAD: THE 1950’s AND 1960’s 1  The 1950’s and 1960’s Tracy Ladner Mississippi University for Women History 110  RUNNING HEAD: THE 1950’s AND 1960’s 2...
747  Words | 3  Pages
1950 s Essay
...The 1950's were quite radical in fact, this is the decade that began rock n' roll, the civil rights movement, better family living, advances in technology, Fashion, medical research, other wonderful things this country was not used to seeing or hearing. The 1950's were looked at more as a state of mind or a way of living rather than just another decade or time era in American history. Everything was peaceful now, which looking back on...
2033  Words | 5  Pages
Prejudice, 1950
...Prejudice: 1950's and 60's The story of African Americans dealing with racism and oppression during the 1950's and 60's is not a story unheard by anyone. It is a common story that we hear early in life. It was a real life event that many African Americans had to deal with for many years, and still do today. This was and is no way for anyone to live, and African Americans knew it was time for them to be...
1121  Words | 3  Pages
1950 s Essay
...The 1950’s was a time where war soldiers were coming home and were given the opportunity to go back to their families and begin a new life or create one; the war was over. There were new opportunities arising, and suburbs were becoming the norm. Racial segregation was coming to an end, we added two new states to the United States of America, and families were beginning to have babies left and right. Music started to change with Rock n’ Roll, clothing and fashion...
1034  Words | 3  Pages
The 1960 s Essay
...                                                              Decades: the 1960’s             The popular trends in the 1960 have changed the decade to make it in style. Trends are things such as fashion, foods, shoes, and hair. Famous fashion in the 60’s was cashmere turtle necks, colorful wide ties, Ralph Polo brands, and miniskirts (“Writers dream tools decades 60’s “ ).  Amongst those people were sporting pant suits,...
1881  Words | 5  Pages
Record Label and Napster S Strategy Essay
...later offered $1 billion to the recording industry to settle the lawsuit.  Napster also agreed that $150 million would be paid annually for the first five years to Sony, Warner, BMG, EMI, and Universal, and $50 million annually was allotted for independent labels.  The recording industry refused the offer.  The industry wanted Napster to shut down for good.  Napster tried many times to compromise with the recording industry, but to no avail.  Napster filed for...
1056  Words | 4  Pages
Essay on The 1960 s
...Tommy Ferreira Period 5 Mrs.Sok 2/3/12 1960’s An important historic event in the 1960’s would be The TV debate: Nixon v. Kennedy (1960): Dwight Eisenhower became the first presidential candidate to successfully use the television medium to campaign. John Kennedy perfected it. The Kennedy Campaign knew how to use the medium to full effect while his opponent...
1371  Words | 4  Pages
1960 s Essay
...Kristy Breitling-MUS 222 1960’s March 17th, 2013   Who has not heard of Woodstock or psychedelic music? What is it you think of when you hear of these? Free love, hippies, peace, and drugs. Well this was the end of the 60’s an era where musicians believed drugs gave them the ability to make their songs and how they sounded. This era came right after an era of civil rights movement, war and the world in an uneasy place for the population. In the...
1026  Words | 3  Pages