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{{Short description|American record label}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2010}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2010}}
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'''Duke Records''' was an [[United States|American]] [[record label]], started in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[Tennessee]], in 1952 by David James Mattis ([[WDIA]] program director and DJ) and Bill Fitzgerald, owners of Tri-State Recording Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/rosco_gordon.htm |title=Rosco Gordon |website=Rockabilly.nl |date= |accessdate=2015-12-31}}</ref> Their first release was [[Rosco Gordon|Roscoe Gordon]] singing "Hey Fat Girl", issued on Duke R-1, later amended to R-101.
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
| name = Duke Records
| image = <!-- logo, such as "LABEL-LOGO.jpg" -->
| image_size = <!-- size -->
| image_alt = <!-- WP:ALT text describing the image -->
| caption = <!-- a caption for the image -->
| parent = <!-- parent company, such as "[[Warner Music Group]]" -->
| founded = 1952
| founder = <!-- name of founders, separated by using commas, {{Flatlist}} or {{Hlist}} -->
| defunct = <!-- year the label dissolved, such as {{end date|1990}} -->
| status = <!-- leave blank unless "Inactive" -->
| distributor = <!-- distributors, separated by using commas, {{Flatlist}} or {{Hlist}} -->
| genre = <!-- such as "[[World music|World]]" or "Various", separated by using commas, {{Flatlist}} or {{Hlist}} -->
| country = [[United States]]
| location = <!-- headquarters city and state -->
| website = <!-- such as "{{URL|www.atlanticrecords.com}}" -->
}}

⚫
'''Duke Records''' was an American [[record label]], started in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[Tennessee]], in 1952 by David James Mattis ([[WDIA]] program director and DJ) and Bill Fitzgerald, owners of Tri-State Recording Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/rosco_gordon.htm |title=Rosco Gordon |website=Rockabilly.nl |access-date=2015-12-31}}</ref> Their first release was [[Rosco Gordon|Roscoe Gordon]] singing "Hey Fat Girl", issued on Duke R-1, later amended to R-101.


==History==
==History==
After forming a partnership with Mattis in the summer of 1952, [[Don Robey]] (founder of [[Houston]]'s [[Peacock Records]]) took control of Duke. Both labels then headquartered at his Bronze Peacock club at 2809 Erastus Street in Houston, focusing on [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[gospel music]]. Robey started a subsidiary, [[Back Beat Records]], in 1957 and this later specialised in [[soul music]], along with Sure Shot Records, whilst Peacock specialised in gospel recordings.
After forming a partnership with Mattis in the summer of 1952, [[Don Robey]] (founder of [[Houston]]'s [[Peacock Records]]) took control of Duke. Both labels then headquartered at his Bronze Peacock club at 2809 Erastus Street in Houston, focusing on [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[gospel music]]. Robey started a subsidiary, [[Back Beat Records]], in 1957 and this later specialised in [[soul music]], along with Sure Shot Records, whilst Peacock specialised in gospel recordings.


Duke's leading artist was [[Bobby Bland|Bobby 'Blue' Bland]] who stayed with the label for many years until its demise, mostly recording successfully with arranger/band leader Joe Scott. Johnny Ace was a major R&B artist in the early years of the label before his untimely death at a young age, with a string of R&B top 10 hits including three that went to #1.
Duke's leading artist was [[Bobby Bland|Bobby "Blue" Bland]] who stayed with the label for many years until its demise, mostly recording successfully with arranger/bandleader [[Joe Scott (musician)|Joe Scott]]. [[Johnny Ace]] was a major R&B artist in the early years of the label before his death at a young age, with a string of R&B top 10 hits including three that went to number one. [[Junior Parker]] was another important presence on Duke, recording a long string of singles for the label between 1953 and 1966, scoring seven top-twenty ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' hits during his tenure.


Robey sold his labels to [[ABC Dunhill Records]] on 23 May 1973. The Duke labels were soon closed down with the imprints retained by ABC in their catalog,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.discogs.com/v9W3CYwwJgP6vpaw9NuPM0MmkpA=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb()/discogs-images/R-3088770-1315174681.jpeg.jpg |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-03-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324051829/http://cdn.discogs.com/v9W3CYwwJgP6vpaw9NuPM0MmkpA=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb()/discogs-images/R-3088770-1315174681.jpeg.jpg |archivedate=2016-03-24 |df= }}</ref> with only Bobby Bland being retained by the new parent label.
Robey sold his labels to [[ABC Records|ABC Dunhill Records]] on 23 May 1973. The Duke labels were soon closed down with the imprints retained by ABC in their catalog,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cdn.discogs.com/v9W3CYwwJgP6vpaw9NuPM0MmkpA=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb()/discogs-images/R-3088770-1315174681.jpeg.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-03-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324051829/http://cdn.discogs.com/v9W3CYwwJgP6vpaw9NuPM0MmkpA%3D/fit-in/300x300/filters%3Astrip_icc%28%29%3Aformat%28jpeg%29%3Amode_rgb%28%29/discogs-images/R-3088770-1315174681.jpeg.jpg |archive-date=2016-03-24 }}</ref> with only Bobby Bland being retained by the new parent label.

⚫
==Current ownership==
⚫
[[Universal Music Group]] now controls the Robey labels.


==Label variations==
==Label variations==

===Independent distribution===
===Independent distribution===
* 1953-1958 Gosepl series: White and purple label
* 1953-1958 Gospel series: White and purple label
* 1952-1961 Standard series: Gold and dark purple label
* 1952-1961 Standard series: Gold and dark purple label
* 1961-1972: Orange and yellow label for commercial copies, purple and white label for promotional copies
* 1961-1972: Orange and yellow label for commercial copies, purple and white label for promotional copies
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* 1972-1973: Dark green label
* 1972-1973: Dark green label


==Artists==

Notable artists who recorded on Duke, Peacock and Back Beat included:
Notable artists who recorded on Duke, Peacock and Back Beat included:
*[[Buddy Ace]]
*[[Buddy Ace]]
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*[[Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown]]
*[[Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown]]
*[[Carl Carlton]]
*[[Carl Carlton]]
*[[James "Thunderbird" Davis]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Dahl |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-thunderbird-davis-mn0000133249/biography |title=James "Thunderbird" Davis &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date= |accessdate=2016-11-21}}</ref>
*[[James "Thunderbird" Davis]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Dahl |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-thunderbird-davis-mn0000133249/biography |title=James "Thunderbird" Davis &#124; Biography & History |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2016-11-21}}</ref>
*[[Larry Davis (blues musician)|Larry Davis]]
*[[Larry Davis (blues musician)|Larry Davis]]
*[[Ernie K Doe]]
*[[Ernie K-Doe]]
*[[Rosco Gordon|Roscoe Gordon]]
*[[Rosco Gordon|Roscoe Gordon]]
*[[Roy Head]]
*[[Roy Head]]
*[[Joe Hinton]]
*[[Joe Hinton]]
*[[Long John Hunter]]
*[[Long John Hunter]]
*[[Frankie Lee (musician)|Little Frankie Lee]]<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p416/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Frankie Lee|author=Skelly, Richard |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=December 19, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Frankie Lee (musician)|Little Frankie Lee]]<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p416/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Frankie Lee|author=Skelly, Richard |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=December 19, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Junior Parker]]
*[[Junior Parker]]
*[[Fenton Robinson]]
*[[Fenton Robinson]]
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*[[Big Mama Thornton]]
*[[Big Mama Thornton]]
*[[Lavelle White]]
*[[Lavelle White]]
*[[Lester Williams (musician)|Lester Williams]]<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p138453|pure_url=yes}} |title=Lester Williams |author=Ankeny, Jason |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=November 17, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Lester Williams (musician)|Lester Williams]]<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p138453|pure_url=yes}} |title=Lester Williams |author=Ankeny, Jason |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref>
*[[O.V. Wright]]
*[[O.V. Wright]]

⚫
==Current ownership==
⚫
[[Universal Music Group]] now controls the Robey labels, via their acquisition (as [[MCA Records]]) of ABC Records in 1979.


==See also==
==See also==
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* Louis Cantor. ''Wheelin' on Beale''. New York: Pharos Books, 1992, ISBN 978-0886876333
* Louis Cantor. ''Wheelin' on Beale''. New York: Pharos Books, 1992, {{ISBN|978-0886876333}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.bsnpubs.com/abc/robey.html Don Robey's Labels] (accessed March 2008)
* [http://www.bsnpubs.com/abc/robey.html Don Robey's Labels] (accessed March 2008)
* [http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.productdetails.asp?product_id=df341a6b-25d7-6418-4abf-950fe1f3b13d HIPO's Johnny Ace bio]
* [http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.productdetails.asp?product_id=df341a6b-25d7-6418-4abf-950fe1f3b13d HIPO's Johnny Ace bio]
* [https://archive.org/details/georgeblood?and%5B%5D=publisher:duke Duke Records] on the Internet Archive's [http://great78.archive.org/ Great 78 Project]

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:American record labels]]
[[Category:American record labels]]
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[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 1973]]
[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 1973]]
[[Category:Rhythm and blues record labels]]
[[Category:Rhythm and blues record labels]]
[[Category:Record labels based in Memphis, Tennessee]]



{{US-record-label-stub}}
{{US-record-label-stub}}

Revision as of 18:53, 5 August 2024

Duke Records
Founded1952
Country of originUnited States

Duke Records was an American record label, started in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1952 by David James Mattis (WDIA program director and DJ) and Bill Fitzgerald, owners of Tri-State Recording Company.[1] Their first release was Roscoe Gordon singing "Hey Fat Girl", issued on Duke R-1, later amended to R-101.

History

After forming a partnership with Mattis in the summer of 1952, Don Robey (founder of Houston's Peacock Records) took control of Duke. Both labels then headquartered at his Bronze Peacock club at 2809 Erastus Street in Houston, focusing on R&B and gospel music. Robey started a subsidiary, Back Beat Records, in 1957 and this later specialised in soul music, along with Sure Shot Records, whilst Peacock specialised in gospel recordings.

Duke's leading artist was Bobby "Blue" Bland who stayed with the label for many years until its demise, mostly recording successfully with arranger/bandleader Joe Scott. Johnny Ace was a major R&B artist in the early years of the label before his death at a young age, with a string of R&B top 10 hits including three that went to number one. Junior Parker was another important presence on Duke, recording a long string of singles for the label between 1953 and 1966, scoring seven top-twenty Billboard hits during his tenure.

Robey sold his labels to ABC Dunhill Records on 23 May 1973. The Duke labels were soon closed down with the imprints retained by ABC in their catalog,[2] with only Bobby Bland being retained by the new parent label.

Label variations

Independent distribution

  • 1953-1958 Gospel series: White and purple label
  • 1952-1961 Standard series: Gold and dark purple label
  • 1961-1972: Orange and yellow label for commercial copies, purple and white label for promotional copies

ABC distribution

  • 1972-1973: Dark green label

Artists

Notable artists who recorded on Duke, Peacock and Back Beat included:

Current ownership

Universal Music Group now controls the Robey labels, via their acquisition (as MCA Records) of ABC Records in 1979.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rosco Gordon". Rockabilly.nl. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2016-03-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Bill Dahl. "James "Thunderbird" Davis | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  4. ^ Skelly, Richard. "Frankie Lee". AllMusic. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  5. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Lester Williams". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2011.

Bibliography

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