—a The Cash Box Music Page 60 , July 3 , 1954 Records Give People The Built His Music They Want When Record Firms On They Want It High Principles

I can remember back in 1939 when We make records for the “Man with I just put my both feet in the record the Dinner Pail”. He’s got his T.V. business (pressings were 10%c). It for his entertainment—but when he was a great business, no unfair com- wants music of his liking, its records DON ROBEY petition, no payolas, no cloak and —“The music he wants”—when he suiters, no hit and runners and all wants it and as many times as he radio stations eager to play your wants it. records and dealers waiting in line The record business is here to stay Don Robey has always claimed that the records began to go out faster with greenbacks to buy your records. but it’s getting narrower day by day. because one of his night club enter- and farther. The whole method of distribution But things have changed since tainers didn’t see eye to eye with a needs an overhauling. Likewise the In 1952, Don acquired an interest mother was a girl and a lot of record record affiliation back in 1949, Don industry needs one too. in of Memphis, Tennes- companies have gone over the dam built, in just five years, two of Smutty, double entendre records Robey see, but Don sheepishly admits he was because they didn’t have the know- the strongest independent labels in should be banned. The industry needs not at all interested in a record he how. Now I hear a lot of talk about the entire record business, Peacock a “Will Hayes” as it is the most dis- was asked to audition by a young un- what this record business needs is a Records and Duke Records. organized one of all in the U. S. Not known singer named . The big hit. That’s a lot of boloney. What disk, to fix prices but to straighten the Having no experience in the indus- submitted for audition only, the record industry needs is less weak boys out in their conduct. It’s a try to guide him, Don applied the made with only two instruments— record releases—over all—there are great business, full of evils and some golden rule and his midas-like touch piano and saxophone—and Ace’s sing- too many record companies releasing evils are necessary. Maybe the am- in the selection of artists and gathered ing, was called “My Song” and sold records and the buyers are confused. plitude of good judgment has been such names together as Willie Mae 53,000 copies in its original form at Too many manufacturers are over- the trespassed, but I can see prosperity Thornton, Johnny Ace, Gatemouth NAMM Convention in New York looking the juke boxes and figure that arise out of chaos when the cloak and Brown, , Little Junior before the first record was pressed. they are unimportant. To me they’re suiters return to their fold. Parker, Junior Ryder, , Peacock was again rewarded with just as important as a disk jockey— The Cash Box has become a daily Earl Forest and Joe Fritz to mention the best spiritual record of the year how blind can they be? necessity—the job of the editor being a few well-known artists in the in 1952 when it released “Let’s Talk Television has cut a lot of inroads a thankless one trying to satisfy Rhythm & field. About Jesus” by the Bells of Joy. into record buying-—a free evening’s everyone in the industry—a bit of Realizing that there was tremen- As far as Johnny Ace goes, Don entertainment for the cost of the selfishness here and there — on the dous potential in the field of spiritual says his biggest chagrin even today juice. If you don’t believe it, next time part of an over enthusiastic manu- music, Don again reached out and is his seemingly constant practice of you’re in the slums, look up on the facturer—a bit of high pressure here gathered a galaxy of stars including putting out two-sided Johnny Ace hits. roofs of the shacks and see not one, and, as usual, they all live the Original Five Blind Boys, Bells of and there 1953 saw such progress that Pea- but 2 T.V. aerials and, remember, through it. Joy, Dixie Humming Birds, Sister cock outgrew its offices. The firm that’s a big part of our business. Keep up the good work. Jessie Mae Renfro, Spirits of Mem- moved to its present site, a modern phis, Brother Cleophus Robinson and 150 by 100 foot building, where the the Sensational Gales. entire operation could be centralized but not before Willie Mae Thornton today is quite a copped the award for the best R&B different proposition than it was five record of 1953 with “Hound Dog” or Thanks Disk Jockeys years ago. It’s first home was an The Five Blind Boys received an 8 x 10 office on Lyons Avenue in award for the most programmed »» . Its staff consisted of Don spiritual group of the year. Robey and one secretary. It had a Today Peacock Records’ home staff roster of one artist. But hard work, 5 R0YALES consists of 23 busy technicians, sec- careful management and endless retaries, shipping personnel and the release is patience saw the young firm work up Our new out like. In addition Don constantly thinks a great momentum. and it's a humdinger. It is about the 43 American and foreign Peacock introduced the idea of add- distributors who handle the Peacock ing a drum to the beat of spiritual and Duke labels and the 500 disk Li groups. Later it further supplemented jockeys throughout the country who LET ME COME BACK HOME” spirituals with horns and it looks as play them daily on their radio shows. though full orchestration will be next. In early 1954, Peacock installed a and In 1951, spurred on by the tremen- luxurious recording studio with the dous success of “Our Father” by the finest recording equipment available, “WHAT’S THAT” Original Five Blind Boys, which was which was the finishing touch to what the biggest selling spiritual record of it has always been from the start Apollo #458 the year and which is still registering Big Business. Deserving all the pride consistent sales, Don bought Ralph he has in his tremendous achievement, Records’ pressing plant and Quinn Don says, “Following our proven Records’ processing plant and began formula that endless patience, hard AEOEfcp RECORDS turning out his own product. work, careful management, and above 1951 also saw the staff of Peacock all, respect for your fellow man pays 457 WEST 45th STREET, N. Y. Records grow by one. Irving Marcus off, I kinda feel that the best is yet came in as Sales Representative and to come.” “It’s What’s in THE CASH BOX That Counts” www.americanradiohistory.com