One-derful Records

One-derful Records was an independent R&B and soul label based in Chicago.[1] Founded by George Leaner (June 1, 1917 – September 18, 1983) in 1962, One-derful was one of the few black-owned labels in Chicago until its demise in 1968.[2] The label is most known for the release of "Shake a Tail Feather" by the Five Du-Tones in 1963. Other artist on the label included the Sharpees, McKinley Mitchell, Alvin Cash, and Harold Burrage.[2] A few subsidiary labels were launched: Mar-V-Lus, M-Pac, Halo, and Midas Records.[3][4]

One-derful Records
Founded1962
FounderGeorge Leaner
Defunct1969
StatusDefunct
GenreR&B, soul
Country of originUnited States
LocationChicago, Illinois, U.S.

History

A native of Mississippi, George Leaner relocated to Chicago with his family. His uncle, Al Benson, became an influential disc jockey in Chicago.[2] After serving in the army during World War II, Leaner began working at sister's Groove Record Shop and became an assistant to blues producer Lester Melrose in 1946.[3] In 1947, Leaner and his brother Ernie Leaner (1921 – 1990) joined M.S. Distributors and two years later Chord Distributing Company. In 1950, they went into recording, producing Little Walter and Muddy Waters at Monroe Passis' Parkway Records. That year the Ernie founded a distribution company, United Distributors, which George worked at as a junior partner in the operation.[1][3]

George Leaner launched One-derful in 1962 after McKinley Mitchel brought him a demo.[3] Leaner created an A&R and production team with songwriter Andre Williams who he met working at United and musician Monk Higgins.[1] He hired writers Otis Hayes, Eddie Silvers, and Larry Nestor.[3] Along with creating the label, there was also a studio, Tone Recordings, in the One-derful building at 1827 S. Michigan Ave. United Distribution, which handled records from not only One-derful but other local and national labels, was located in the building as well.[2] Musicians who recorded at the studio include Mighty Joe Young, Syl Johnson, Lonnie Brooks and the Jackson 5 recorded.[1] Larry Blasingaine and his band Larry & the Hippies were the backing band for many One-derful sessions.[2]

The label's debut single "The Town I Live In" by McKinley Mitchell reached #8 on the R&B chart.[5] The next year, "Shake a Tail Feather" by the Five Du-Tones reached #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[6] Despite having some chart success, many of the artists on the label didn't receive royalties and the label struggled to generate profits. Attempting to capitalize off the Five Du-Tones popularity, a Five Du-Tones Revue Tour was formed which included the Du-Ettes, the Exciters, and Johnny Sayles, but it wasn't financially successful.[1] After the label folded in 1968, Ernie Leaner and his nephew Tony Leaner formed the short-lived Toddlin' Town Records.[4]

After Ernie Leaner died in 1990, his children inherited One-derful and its assets. They've organized and maintained an archive of more than 700 masters. After Michael Jackson's death in 2009, they discovered a master of the Jackson 5's recording of "I'm A Big Boy Now" ("Big Boy") from a July 1967 session which predated their Steeltown recording of "Big Boy" in November 1967.[2]

Selected discography
Catalog

No.

 Release

date

 Single (A-side, B-side) US US

R&B

 Artist Notes
4804 Jan 1962 A: "The Town I Live In" 115 8 McKinley Mitchell Billboard review (Feb 10, 1962)[7]
B: "No Love Like My Love"
4806 Mar 1962 A: "I'll Be There" Betty Everett Cash Box review (Mar 31, 1962)[8]
B: "Your Love Is Important To Me"
4807 May 1962 A: "Come Back Home" Benny Turner Cash Box review (May 19, 1962)[9]
B: "When I'm Gone"
4815 Mar 1963 A: "Shake A Tail Feather" 51 28 The Five Du-Tones Cash Box review (Mar 30, 1963)[10]
B: "Divorce Court"
4827 Jul 1964 A: "Please Forgive Me" Du-Ettes Cash Box review (Aug 1, 1964)[11]
B: "Lonely Days"
4834 Jun 1965 A: "A Flame In Your Heart" Otis Clay
B: "Three Is A Crowd"
4835 Jul 1965 A: "Do The 45" 117 The Sharpees reached #40 on Cash Box R&B chart[12]
B: "Make Up Your Mind"
4839 Oct 1965 A: "Tired Of Being Lonely" The Sharpees reached #90 on Cash Box Top 100 chart[13]
B: "Just To Please You"
4841 Mar 1966 A: "I'm Satisfied" 105 Otis Clay
B: "I Testify"
4847 Apr 1967 A: "One Man's Poison" Liz Lands
B: "Don't Shut Me Out"
4848 Jul 1967 A: "That's How It Is (When You're In Love)" 131 34 Otis Clay
B: "Show Place"
4850 Nov 1967 A: "A Lasting Love" 48 Otis Clay
B: "Got To Find A Way"

References
  1. Kramer, Kyle (December 30, 2011). "One-derful's rich history". The Chicago Tribune.
  2. Austen, Jake (September 10, 2009). "The Jackson Find". Chicago Reader.
  3. Pruter, Robert (1992). Chicago Soul. University of Illinois Press. pp. 211–212. ISBN 978-0-252-06259-9.
  4. Talevski, Nick (2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 358. ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2.
  5. "The Town I Live in (song by McKinley Mitchell)". Music VF, US & UK hits charts.
  6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 205.
  7. "Reviews of New Singles" (PDF). Billboard: 42. February 10, 1962.
  8. "Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 14. March 31, 1962.
  9. "Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 10. May 19, 1962.
  10. "Record Reveiws" (PDF). Cash Box: 12. March 30, 1963.
  11. "Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 16. August 1, 1964.
  12. "Top 50 In R&B Locations" (PDF). Cash Box: 166. August 14, 1965.
  13. "Cash Box Top 100" (PDF). Cash Box: 4. February 5, 1966.
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