Rhythm and Blues

King Records, founded by Sydney Nathan, initially released country and western artists, yet had great success with James Brown and other rhythm and blues performers such as Hank Ballard.

All records courtesy of Jeff Place.

This King Records compilation from 1956 was marketed as ”Rock and Roll.“ It included solo vocalists, vocal groups, instrumentalists, and large bands, demonstrating the early connection between rock and roll and rhythm and blues.

All records courtesy of Jeff Place.

Established in 1947, Atlantic Records was founded to record rhythm and blues and jazz performers. They later expanded their catalog to include country and western, and rock performers.

All records courtesy of Jeff Place.

Specialty Records was established in 1944 in Los Angeles by Art Rupe. A year later, the label began releasing music by such influential R&B artists as Roy Milton, Jimmy Liggins, Lloyd Price, and Little Richard. Specialty Records gospel artists included the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke.

All records courtesy of Jeff Place.

As early as the late 1940s, a number of independent record labels recognized the potential mass appeal of rhythm and blues music, despite the fact that the mainstream industry still approached market development in ways that reflected the racial segregation of the period. For example, record companies like King in Cincinnati and Specialty in Los Angeles, contributed to the production and dissemination of rhythm and blues through their regional markets.

Atlantic Records was one of the first larger independents to focus on rhythm and blues. Co-founded in 1947 in New York City by Ahmet Ertegun, its early success was spurred by Ruth Brown’s “Tear Drops from My Eyes” followed by “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” performed by Big Joe Turner. Atlantic’s other artists included LaVern Baker and Ray Charles. Chess Records in Chicago, founded in 1950, released an impressive catalogue of R&B and urban blues by artists such as Etta James, Gene Ammons, Jackie Brenston, and Muddy Waters. Both labels featured other artists, who like Joe Turner, would exert major influence on rock and roll.

There were also a number of early African American-owned independent record labels. Brothers Leon and Otis René established Exclusive, Excelsior, and, later, Class Records in Los Angeles. In Oakland, California, Bob Geddins established the Down Town and Veltone labels. In Houston, Texas, Don Robey with business partner Evelyn Johnson—one of the first female African American record executives—founded Peacock Records in 1949. Together, they produced such artists as Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and Willie Mae “ Big Mama” Thornton.

The Rhythm and Blues program is produced in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.