Recorded In Hollywood

Recorded In Hollywood was an independent American record label specializing in rhythm and blues, active from the late 1940s to the end of the 1950s, which issued several sides by artists significant to the genre. John Dolphin operated the label out of his record shop, before selling it to Starday's Don Pierce. Pierce changed the name to Hollywood Records and began releasing re-issues.

Recorded In Hollywood record label, by the Eddie Beale Fourtette featuring Gene Forrest

History

The label was formed by John Dolphin as Dolphin's of Hollywood, and the first issues appeared in 1948.[1] Operations for Recorded In Hollywood, including recording and pressing, were initially an extension of Dolphin's record store located in the South Central section of Los Angeles where Vernon Avenue and Central Avenue intersect.[2][3] The name was intended to appeal to African Americans, who were largely excluded from entering Hollywood itself.[3] Red Callender served as director of artists and repertoire.[4]

Despite releasing several successful recordings, by 1953 the label was in significant financial trouble, and it was sold to Don Pierce of Starday Records.[1] Pierce then changed the name to Hollywood Records.[1] Pierce found near immediate success with Linda Hayes and her song Take Me Back, which sold 150,000 copies.[1] Dolphin also introduced Pierce to Jack Lauderdale of Swing Time Records.[1] It was through this contact that Pierce acquired the rights to several earlier Swing Time recordings.[1] As a result, Hollywood sold Christmas records by Lowell Fulson and Charles Brown, which moved tens of thousands of copies on a perennial basis.[1]

Recorded In Hollywood came to an agreement with Decca Records in January 1954, in which a share of Recorded In Hollywood's output would be released on that major label.[5] Hollywood also issued the first Ray Charles LP from his early Swingtime sessions.[1] Pierce ran Hollywood Records until his retirement. Although Pierce was president of Starday Records simultaneously, the two labels were run independently from each other.[1] Hollywood ceased operations in 1959.[6] Recorded in Hollywood was acquired by Roy Sharp in the 1960s and then sold to Tom Ficara in the 1980s.

Genre

Primarily the output of Recorded In Hollywood was Rhythm and Blues,[4] blues,[6] and some jazz,[4] pop[7] and gospel.[8] The label's main success was with African-American vocal groups.[6] However, other material such as country was also occasionally issued.[2]

Artists

Original recordings

Reissues
  • Charles Brown[1]
  • Ray Charles[1]
  • Lowell Fulson[1]

References
  1. Gibson, Nathan D. (2011). The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built. Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-1-60473-830-8.
  2. Murphy, James B. (2015). Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961–1963. McFarland. p. 43. ISBN 9781476618531.
  3. Johnson, Gaye Theresa (2013). Spaces of Conflict, Sounds of Solidarity: Music, Race, and Spatial Entitlement in Los Angeles. University of California Press. pp. 49–50. ISBN 9780520954854.
  4. Gart, Galen (1989). The American Record Label Directory and Dating Guide, 1940–1959. Milford, New Hampshire: Big Nickel Publications. p. 179. ISBN 0-936433-11-6.
  5. Cotten, Lee (1989). Shake Rattle & Roll: The Golden Age of American Rock 'n Roll. 1. Pierian Press. p. 146. ISBN 0-87650-246-X.
  6. Komara, Edward (2006). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 810. ISBN 9780415926997.
  7. "Popular Record Reviews". Billboard. April 4, 1953. p. 41.
  8. McNeil, W. K. (2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 137. ISBN 9781135377007.
  9. "This Week's Territorial Best Sellers to Watch". Billboard. March 21, 1953. p. 50.
  10. "Rhythm and Blues Notes". Billboard. February 10, 1951. p. 30.
  11. Rosalsky, Mitch (2002). Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups. Scarecrow Press. p. 304. ISBN 9780810845923.
  12. Warner, Jay (2006). American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 225. ISBN 9780634099786.
  13. "How Do You Know a Good Record? (advertisement)". Billboard. December 6, 1952. p. 37.
  14. Ryan, Marc W. (2004). Trumpet Records: Diamonds on Farish Street. Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. p. 115. ISBN 1-57806-607-7.
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