Blue Rock Records was an American record label, a subsidiary of

Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. In the United States, it is ...

, and like their parent, based in Chicago between 1964 and 1969. Despite their name, they did not release blues or rock, concentrating almost exclusively on

soul music Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the African American community throughout the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It has its roots in African-American gospel music and rhythm and blues. Soul music became po ...

, with a fair number of the singles echoing Chi-town styles popularized by

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

and other local producers and writers. Highlights included a version of " Mustang Sally" by its author, Sir

Mack Rice Bonny "Mack" Rice (November 10, 1933 – June 27, 2016), sometimes credited as Sir Mack Rice, was an American songwriter and singer. His best-known composition and biggest hit as a solo performer was " Mustang Sally". He also wrote " Respe ...

. Big names past their hit-making prime, such as (

the Shirelles The Shirelles were an American girl group formed in Passaic, New Jersey in 1957. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens (later Shirley Alston Reeves), Doris Coley (later Doris Kenner-Jackson), Addie "Micki" Harris (later Addie Harris McFadd ...

), and in experimental phases (bluesmen

Junior Wells Junior Wells (born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., December 9, 1934January 15, 1998) was an American singer, harmonica player, and recording artist. He is best known for his signature song "Messin' with the Kid" and his 1965 album ''Hoodoo Man Blues'' ...

and

Junior Parker Herman "Junior" Parker (March 27, 1932November 18, 1971) Li ...

), cut records for the label. The best known Blue Rock Records artist was

Dee Dee Warwick Delia Juanita Warrick (September 25, 1942 – October 18, 2008), known professionally as Dee Dee Warwick, was an American soul singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she was the sister of singer Dionne Warwick, the niece of Cissy Houston, and a f ...

Otis Leavill Otis Leavill (February 8, 1937
Accessed 8 February 2010

, Tony Diamond,

Johnnie Mae Matthews Johnnie Mae Matthews (December 31, 1922 – January 6, 2002) was an American blues and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer from Bessemer, Alabama. Known as the "Godmother of Detroit Soul" and as the first African American female to own ...

, Little Rose Little, Big Tim & The Empires, Janeen Henry, Big Frank & The Essences, Johnny Moore, Kenny Carlton, Bobby Hutton, The Commotions, Brothers Of Love, Johnny & Jake, Shirley Wahls & Spouse, Renaldo Domino and Dizzy Jones were also on the roster. The 1990s double compilation album of the label's output, ''Lost and Found: The Blue Rock Records Story'', is out of print.

References

American record labels Record labels established in 1964 Record labels disestablished in 1969 {{US-record-label-stub

See also

References