Meteor Records

Meteor Records was a Memphis-based R&B record label ran by Lester Bihari, one of the Bihari brothers, owners of Modern Records in Los Angeles.[1] Founded in 1952, the label was a bold experiment to broaden the talent base by focusing on signing and recording Southern regional talent by having recording studios locally available.

Meteor Records
"I Held My Baby Last Night" single by Elmore James, released in 1952
Parent companyModern Records
FoundedNovember 1952
FounderLester Bihari
Defunct1957
StatusDefunct
LocationMemphis, Tennessee

The label's first release, "I Believe" / "I Held My Baby Last Night," by Elmore James in 1952 was their biggest success.[2] By 1956 it was clear that the growing teenage rock 'n roll market was not buying Southern based blues. In 1957, Meteor Records issued its last recording and the Bihari brothers consolidated their labels in Los Angeles. Although the label did not succeed economically, it was an innovative effort on the part of the Bihari brothers to broaden the musical base.

Roster

Elmore James was the first artist signed to the label and recorded the first release followed by Bep Brown's "Round House Boogie" / "Kickin' The Blues Around."[1] Essentially the label picked up artists who didn't have success at Sun Records, including James, Rufus Thomas, Junior Thompson, Charlie Feathers, and Malcolm Yelvington.[3] Bihari licensed some sides of jazz musician Al Smith from Chance Records in 1953.[4]

List of artists who recorded for Meteor included:

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See also
  • List of record labels

References
  1. "Lester Bihari Sets New Meteor Label" (PDF). Billboard: 25. December 20, 1952.
  2. Décharné, Max (2010). A Rocket in My Pocket: The Hipster's Guide to Rockabilly Music. Profile Books. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-84765-241-6.
  3. Gillett, Charlie (1996). The Sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll ((2nd Ed.) ed.). New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press. p. 102. ISBN 0-306-80683-5.
  4. "The Chance Label". campber.people.clemson.edu.
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