Shrine Records was an American
soul
In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being".
Etymology
The Modern English noun '' soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest atte ...
and
R&B record label based in
Washington, D.C.
)
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, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
It was founded in 1964 by its primary songwriter Eddie Singleton and his wife,
Raynoma Gordy Singleton (who had also founded
Motown with her then-husband,
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy III (born November 28, 1929), known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr., is a retired American record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. He is best known as the founder of the Motown record l ...
). Its headquarters was a townhouse located at 3 Thomas Circle NW within Washington, D.C.
From 1964 to 1967, Shrine released a total of twenty vinyl 45 singles comprising forty different tracks. However, none of the Shrine singles were significant hits, and the label ceased operations in 1967. Shrine's stock of unsold records was destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1968
King assassination riots
The King assassination riots, also known as the Holy Week Uprising, were a wave of civil disturbance which swept the United States following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Many believe them to be the greatest wav ...
. As a result, very few Shrine records remain today and are highly sought-after by collectors.
In addition to the released material, a small catalog of tracks from various artists was recorded by Shrine but never issued, though much of this previously unreleased material has been rediscovered and released on various newer labels such as Horace's Records, Kent Records, and Ace Records.
Notable artists involved with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later released material on Decca), Linda Tate,
Frances Nero
Willie Frances Nero (née Peak; March 13, 1943 – November 28, 2014) was an American soul music, soul and jazz singer. She recorded for Motown after winning their 1965 talent contest and had a UK hit single in 1991 with "Footsteps Following Me".
...
, Eddie Daye & the Four Bars, and the Cavaliers.
The Shrine Records logo was a line drawing of an eternal flame.
Reissues
UK label Horace's Records has issued two vinyl LPs of Shrine material: 1990's ''Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label'' (cat# HRH 101) followed by ''Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label, Volume 2'' (cat# HRH 102). The label has also released various split-artist vinyl 45s of originally released Shrine material.
UK label Kent Records has issued two CD releases of both originally released and previously unreleased Shrine material: 1998's ''Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label'' (cat# CDKEND 160) followed by 2002's ''Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label Vol 2'' (cat# CDKEND 190).
Additionally, UK label Goldmine (Soul Supply) Ltd has issued the following five vinyl 45 singles of Shrine material:
* The Cairos: "Stop Overlooking Me" / "Don't Fight It" (cat# SRG 101)
* Eddie Daye & The Four Bars: "Guess Who Loves You" / "What Am I Gonna Do" (cat# SRG 102)
* Les Chasonettes: "Don't Let Him Hurt You" / "Deeper" (cat# SRG 105)
* DC Blossoms: "Hey Boy" / "I Know About Her" (cat# SRG 108)
* Bobby Reed: "Caldonia Brown" / "Baby Don't Leave Me" (previously unreleased track) (cat# SRG 114)
References
*
*
External links
Complete discography of Shrine Records' twenty original releasesShrine - The Full Story by Andy Rix{{Authority control
American record labels
Record labels established in 1964
Record labels disestablished in 1967
Soul music record labels
Rhythm and blues record labels