Len Stark

Len Stark was a Philadelphia-based record label owner, composer and producer. He founded the Melron Records label which acts such as William Penn and the Quakers, Essau, Rocky Brown, Bobby Eli, Pheasants and Colly Williams recorded for.

This article is about the record producer. For the Judge, see Leonard P. Stark.
Len Stark
Born
Leonard Stark
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRecord producer
Known forRecord production, composer, record label owner

Background

Stark was the owner of Melron Records, a label he established in 1961.[1][2] He also ventured into recording himself and recorded "Maybe I'm Just Foolish".[3] Years later in 2012, it would be released on the Rockin' & Boppin' Billy In Philly various artists compilation.[4] Stark was writing songs while working at an 8pm till 4am job as a produce checker for Samuel P. Mandell & Company at the Pennsylvania Produce Terminal, a job he had been working at for the past six years.[5]

Career

Stark was writing music as early as 1956. By November that year, Stark and Dan Franklin who was his Hollywood-based music partner had a composition recorded by a well-known group, The Clips. "Kiss Away" was released that year on Calvert 105.[6][7][8] Having established the Melron in 1961,[9] Stark had an album and several singles out on his label that year with the artists on his roster. The album was by the Christian Lights. One of the singles was by the Israelites, a new gospel group he was working with. The single they had released was "I'm Building a Home". Other singles were by Lori Ann with "Bobby", The Allures with "Lovin' Him" and Danny Bassett with "If You Want Me".[10]

Along with Tony Luisi, Stark produced "King of Love" which is described in A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul as an early example of an r&b song that served as a bridge to Philadelphia soul.[11] It was released on Melron 5009 in mid-1964.[12]

In 1980, Stark collaborated with Bobby Eli and in light of the Iran hostage crisis they recorded a single "American Message To The Hostages" which was released on Melron 5040 in 1980. It was dedicated to the hostages and their families.[13][14][15] Eli was a founding member of MFSB and pioneer of the Philly sound.[16]

Melron Records

Operating from 1961, the label was headquartered at 5007 F St., Philadelphia. Its earlierst releases included recordings by The Allures and Lori Ann.[17][18] It was a small independent label with the majority of its output in the 1960s.[19]

In June 1962, Rocky Brown's "Den of Love" bw "Why?" was released on Melron 5001. It was given a 3 star rating by Billboard. It was produced by a young Bobby Eli.[20][21]

In 1967, Danny Bassett had "Day After Day" bw "Teenage Soldier" released on the Melron 5011.[22][23] By November that year, William Penn & the Quakers had a single, "California Sun" out on Melron 5013,[24] Not to be confused with The William Penn Fyve,[25] or the similarly named Wm Penn & the Quakers recorded for Duane Records label from Sunnyvale, California,[26][27] this group actually had a member who was called William Penn.[28] Besides William aka Bill Penn, the other members were Lou Altimari, Wayne Carangi, Paul Mc Nulty and Joe Powell. The following year, Rena Faye And The Teddy Bear Co. has their single "Thank You Baby" bw "Do It" released on Melron 5015.[29]

The label was still active in December 1980 with the release of the "American Message To The Hostages" single, and to date had released at least two dozen singles and an album.[30]

In July, 2008, The Best of Melron Records: The Early Philly Sound was released on Philly Soul PH 002CD.[31] Artists included Essau & His Group, Emerson Brown & Del Rios, Bobby Eli & Del Rios, Colly Williams & Allures, Sweethearts, Howard Churchill & Radars, Lori Ann and her group etc.[32]

A couple of songs from the label "Big Butters", Pts 1 and 2 by Bobby Eli and "Out of the Mist" by The Pheasants were featured on CITR-FM's Shake A Tail Feather Episode which was Broadcast on 12-Dec-2008.[33]

List of artists

Death

Len Stark had already passed away prior to his son Ronald's death on May 20, 2009.[34]

References
  1. A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, By John A. Jackson - Page 281
  2. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, December 6, 1980 - Page 2 With song, he seeks air time
  3. Roots Vinyl Guide - Rockabilly/Teen Ballad Acetate 45 LEN STARK Maybe I'm Just Foolish MELRON HEAR
  4. Spotify - Rockin' & Boppin' Billy in Philly
  5. The International Teamster, November 1956 - Page 29 Teamster Topics, Teamster Songwriter
  6. Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Clips (Nashville, Tenn)
  7. The International Teamster, November 1956 - Page 29 Teamster Topics, Teamster Songwriter
  8. Popsike - The Clips - Kiss Away / Let Me Get Close To You Baby - CALVERT doo wop
  9. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, December 6, 1980 - Page 2 With song, he seeks air time
  10. Record World, Vol. 21, No. 1021 February 11, 1961 - Page 51 Active Melron
  11. A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, By John A. Jackson - Page 40
  12. A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, By John A. Jackson - Page 267 Appendix I
  13. 45Cat - Melron - Label Discography
  14. The International Teamster, Volumes 78-80 - Page xxx
  15. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, December 6, 1980 - Page 2 With song, he seeks air time
  16. The Philadelphia Enquirer, November 22, 2016 - Philly 'unsung' musical hero Bobby Eli gets a Nashville spotlight by Brion Shreffler, FOR THE INQUIRER
  17. Record World, Vol. 21, No. 1021 February 11, 1961 - Page 51 Active Melron
  18. Billboard, December 25, 1965 - Page 166 Record Manufacturers Of the U. S (Continued)
  19. AllMusic - Various Artists, The Best of Melron Records: The Early Philly Sound
  20. Billboard, June 16, 1962 - Page 32 Reviews of new singles
  21. Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven - Rocky Brown
  22. Roots Vinyl Guide - Danny Bassett 45 "Teenage Soldier/Day After" MELRON rare teen war related EX
  23. WorldCat - Day after day, by Danny Bassett; Hounds (Musical group
  24. Cash Box, November 11, 1967 - Page 26 Best Bets
  25. Dead Disc - William Penn and His Pals / William Penn Fyve
  26. 45Cat - Wm. Penn And The Quakers - Discography
  27. Garage Hangover, March 25, 2013 - Duane Records discography
  28. Discogs - Various – Grab This And Dance!! (back cover notes)
  29. 45Cat - Melron - Label Discography
  30. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, December 6, 1980 - Page 2 With song, he seeks air time
  31. Forced Exposure - ARTIST VA, TITLE, The Best of Melron Records: The Early Philly Sound, FORMAT, CD
  32. Apple Music - The Best of Melron Records
  33. CITR-FM - Shake A Tail Feather, Episode December 12, 2008
  34. Legacy.com - Ronald A. Stark
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