Hot Wax Records

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Hot Wax Records was a Detroit-based record label created by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland in 1968 when they left Motown. It recorded female vocal groups such as The Honey Cone and The Flaming Ember as well as soul singers like rhythm and blues artist Freda Payne distributed by Buddah Records.^[1]

The first Hot Wax label was black and white with flames coming out of the record turntable at the top. The second Hot Wax label was white with orange swirling flames and black print. In 1973, when Hot Wax finally folded due to cash flow problems, Holland, Dozier and Hollard moved their remaining artists to their newly formed Invictus Records label.^[2]

[edit] History

Until 1967, they were the top composers and producers for Motown Records, establishing acts like the Supremes and Four Tops with many major hits in the mid-60s. Looking for more control and greater rewards, they left Motown in 1968 to launch Hot Wax along with Invictus Records.

The Hot Wax label, distributed by Buddah Records, was in full operation for about four years, racking up a series of successful records, such as Honey Cone's "Want Ads" (a number 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B Singles charts), "Stick Up", and "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show"; "Somebody's Been Sleeping" by 100 Proof; "Westbound Number 9" by Flaming Ember; and "Rip Off" by Laura Lee.

For contractual reasons, the names Holland/Dozier/Holland were not used on releases until 1970, (songs were initially credited to Dunbar and Wayne). Other writers/producers for the label included Greg Perry, William Weatherspoon, Angelo Bond, and General Johnson, who was also lead singer with the Invictus group Chairman of the Board.

[edit] See also

• List of record labels

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Gillett, Charlie (1996). The Sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll, (2nd Ed.), New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press, p. 218, 323. ISBN 0-306-80683-5.
2. ^ Hot Wax Album Discography. Retrieved on 2006-12-11.