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==History==
==History==
"[[Hound Dog (song)|Hound Dog]]" by [[Big Mama Thornton]] was a hit for Peacock in 1953.<ref name="mcfarlandbooks.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-7759-3 |title=Big Mama Thornton: The Life and Music|author=Michael Spörke|publisher=Mcfarlandbooks.com |access-date=2015-10-07}}</ref> Other significant [[rhythm and blues]] artists on Peacock were [[Marie Adams (singer)|Marie Adams]], [[James Booker]], [[Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]], [[Little Richard]], [[Memphis Slim]], and former gospel singer [[Jackie Verdell]]. The label also dabbled in [[jazz]], releasing albums by vocalist [[Betty Carter]] and saxophonist [[Sonny Criss]]. In 1952, Robey gained control of the [[Duke Records]] label of [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. Duke/Peacock Records was formed.
Robey established the record label in 1949 after two years of being [[blues]] singer [[Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]]'s manager, and Brown not finding commercial success with [[Aladdin Records]]. Named after Robey's Houston nightclub, the Bronze Peacock, the record label's roster expanded to include such notable [[rhythm and blues]] artists as [[Marie Adams (singer)|Marie Adams]], [[James Booker]], [[Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]], [[Little Richard]], [[Memphis Slim]], and former gospel singer [[Jackie Verdell]]. In 1953, [[Big Mama Thornton]]'s "[[Hound Dog (song)|Hound Dog]]" (later covered by [[Elvis Presley]] was a hit for Peacock.<ref name="TSHAMDK">{{cite web|last=Kohout|first=Martin Donell|title=Duke-Peacock Records|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/duke-peacock-records|website=Texas State Historical Association|date=May 27, 2013|access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref><ref name="mcfarlandbooks.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-7759-3 |title=Big Mama Thornton: The Life and Music|author=Michael Spörke|publisher=Mcfarlandbooks.com |access-date=2015-10-07}}</ref> The label also dabbled in [[jazz]], releasing albums by vocalist [[Betty Carter]] and saxophonist [[Sonny Criss]].


In 1952, Robey gained control of the [[Duke Records]] label of [[Memphis, Tennessee]], and formed Duke-Peacock Records.<ref name=TSHAMDK/>
⚫
For a period of time in the early 1960s, Peacock released gospel music only, issuing singles and albums by some of America's most famous gospel artists, including The [[Dixie Hummingbirds]], The [[Mighty Clouds of Joy]], The [[The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi|Five Blind Boys of Mississippi]], Reverend [[Cleophus Robinson]], The [[Sensational Nightingales]], The Gospelaires of Dayton, Ohio, [[Pilgrim Jubilees|The Pilgrim Jubilee Singers]], The Loving Sisters and gospel/jazz group Together (1975), which included saxophonist Felix "Top Cat" Dixon from [[Kansas City, Kansas]].


⚫
Peacock also had a very successful gospel music division, which released music from such notable gospel artists as the [[Dixie Hummingbirds]], the [[Mighty Clouds of Joy]], the [[Sensational Nightingales]],<ref name=TSHAMDK/> the [[The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi|Five Blind Boys of Mississippi]], Reverend [[Cleophus Robinson]], , the Gospelaires, the [[Pilgrim Jubilees|Pilgrim Jubilee Singers]], the Loving Sisters, and gospel/jazz group Together (1975), which included saxophonist Felix "Top Cat" Dixon.
⚫
At the end of 1963, the label launched the gospel subsidiary label [[Song Bird Records]] which featured [[Inez Andrews]]. In the later 1960s, Peacock again began to issue secular soul singles by artists such as Jackie Verdell, the Inspirations, [[Frankie Lee (musician)|Little Frankie Lee]],<ref name="AMG">{{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> Al 'TNT' Bragg and Bud Harper. This later Peacock label featured a bright multi-colored peacock tail on an otherwise blue label background, and it is these later records which are often sought by [[Northern soul]] collectors.


⚫
At the end of 1963, the label launched the gospel subsidiary label [[Song Bird Records]] which featured [[Inez Andrews]].<ref name=TSHAMDK/> In the later 1960s, Peacock again began to issue secular soul singles by artists such as Jackie Verdell, the Inspirations, [[Frankie Lee (musician)|Little Frankie Lee]],<ref name="AMG">{{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> Al 'TNT' Bragg and Bud Harper. This later Peacock label featured a bright multi-colored peacock tail on an otherwise blue label background, and it is these later records which are often sought by [[Northern soul]] collectors.
⚫
The Duke/Peacock family of labels (which also included Back Beat and Sure Shot) was sold to [[ABC Dunhill Records]] of Los Angeles on May 23, 1973, with label founder Don Robey staying with ABC as a consultant until his death in 1975. The label name was changed to ABC/Peacock in 1974.

⚫
The Duke-Peacock family of labels (which also included Back Beat and Sure Shot) was sold to [[ABC Dunhill Records]] of Los Angeles on May 23, 1973, with label founder Don Robey staying with ABC as a consultant until his death in 1975. The label name was changed to ABC/Peacock in 1974.


After ABC was sold to [[MCA Records]] in 1979, MCA briefly operated an MCA/Songbird label with new signings including Little Anthony (of [[Little Anthony and the Imperials]]) and [[Dan Peek]] (formerly of the group [[America (band)|America]]). The previous rosters of both ABC-Peacock and ABC-Songbird were dropped (MCA later reissued several Peacock and Song Bird albums at budget price). MCA briefly revived the Peacock name for a series of CD reissues ("Peacock Gospel Classics") in the late 1990s. Along with the MCA back catalog, the Peacock and Song Bird masters are now controlled by the [[Geffen Records]] unit of [[Universal Music Group]].
After ABC was sold to [[MCA Records]] in 1979, MCA briefly operated an MCA/Songbird label with new signings including Little Anthony (of [[Little Anthony and the Imperials]]) and [[Dan Peek]] (formerly of the group [[America (band)|America]]). The previous rosters of both ABC-Peacock and ABC-Songbird were dropped (MCA later reissued several Peacock and Song Bird albums at budget price). MCA briefly revived the Peacock name for a series of CD reissues ("Peacock Gospel Classics") in the late 1990s. Along with the MCA back catalog, the Peacock and Song Bird masters are now controlled by the [[Geffen Records]] unit of [[Universal Music Group]].

Revision as of 14:44, 20 August 2024

Peacock Records
Founded1949 (1949)
FounderDon Robey
Defunct1979 (1979)
Country of originUnited States
LocationHouston, Texas, U.S.

Peacock Records was an American record label, founded in 1949 by Don Robey in Houston, Texas, United States.

History

Robey established the record label in 1949 after two years of being blues singer Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's manager, and Brown not finding commercial success with Aladdin Records. Named after Robey's Houston nightclub, the Bronze Peacock, the record label's roster expanded to include such notable rhythm and blues artists as Marie Adams, James Booker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Little Richard, Memphis Slim, and former gospel singer Jackie Verdell. In 1953, Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" (later covered by Elvis Presley was a hit for Peacock.[1][2] The label also dabbled in jazz, releasing albums by vocalist Betty Carter and saxophonist Sonny Criss.

In 1952, Robey gained control of the Duke Records label of Memphis, Tennessee, and formed Duke-Peacock Records.[1]

Peacock also had a very successful gospel music division, which released music from such notable gospel artists as the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Sensational Nightingales,[1] the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Reverend Cleophus Robinson, , the Gospelaires, the Pilgrim Jubilee Singers, the Loving Sisters, and gospel/jazz group Together (1975), which included saxophonist Felix "Top Cat" Dixon.

At the end of 1963, the label launched the gospel subsidiary label Song Bird Records which featured Inez Andrews.[1] In the later 1960s, Peacock again began to issue secular soul singles by artists such as Jackie Verdell, the Inspirations, Little Frankie Lee,[3] Al 'TNT' Bragg and Bud Harper. This later Peacock label featured a bright multi-colored peacock tail on an otherwise blue label background, and it is these later records which are often sought by Northern soul collectors.

The Duke-Peacock family of labels (which also included Back Beat and Sure Shot) was sold to ABC Dunhill Records of Los Angeles on May 23, 1973, with label founder Don Robey staying with ABC as a consultant until his death in 1975. The label name was changed to ABC/Peacock in 1974.

After ABC was sold to MCA Records in 1979, MCA briefly operated an MCA/Songbird label with new signings including Little Anthony (of Little Anthony and the Imperials) and Dan Peek (formerly of the group America). The previous rosters of both ABC-Peacock and ABC-Songbird were dropped (MCA later reissued several Peacock and Song Bird albums at budget price). MCA briefly revived the Peacock name for a series of CD reissues ("Peacock Gospel Classics") in the late 1990s. Along with the MCA back catalog, the Peacock and Song Bird masters are now controlled by the Geffen Records unit of Universal Music Group.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Kohout, Martin Donell (May 27, 2013). "Duke-Peacock Records". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Michael Spörke. "Big Mama Thornton: The Life and Music". Mcfarlandbooks.com. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  3. ^ Skelly, Richard. "Frankie Lee". AllMusic. Retrieved December 19, 2011.

General references

  • Gart, Galen, and Ames, Roy C., with Funk, Ray; Bowman, Rob; Booth, David (1990). Duke/Peacock Records: An Illustrated History with Discography. Big Nickel Publications, Milford, New Hampshire. ISBN 0-936433-12-4.
  • Hayes, Cedric J., and Laughton, Robert (1992). Gospel Records 1943–1969, A Black Music Discography (Volumes One and Two). Record Information Services, London, England. ISBN 0-907872-28-X (Volume One), ISBN 0-907872-29-8 (Volume Two).
  • Spörke, Michael (2014). Big Mama Thornton: The Life and Music. McFarland Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-7759-3
  • Whitburn, Joel (2000). Joel Whitburn Presents Top R & B Singles 1942–1999. Record Research, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. ISBN 0-89820-136-5.
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