Federal Records

Federal Records was an American record label founded in 1950 as a subsidiary of Syd Nathan's King Records and based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was run by famed record producer Ralph Bass and was mainly devoted to Rhythm & Blues releases. But also hillbilly and rockabilly recordings were released, e.g., " Rockin' and Rollin' " by Tommy Scott on Federal 10003 from 1951 onwards.[1] Singles were published on both 45 and 78 RPM speed formats. James Brown was touring with The Flames when they were signed to Federal in 1956. The group's first Federal single, "Please, Please, Please," was a regional hit and eventually sold a million copies.[2] Federal also issued such classics as The Dominoes' "Sixty Minute Man", and "Have Mercy Baby"[3] as well as Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie"[4] which was opposed immediately by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) but went on to be an enormous hit.[5]

Johnny "Guitar" Watson was another artist on Federal Records.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Federal". Rockin' Country Style. http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/labels/f/f432.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-31. 
  2. ^ "James Brown". history-of-rock. http://www.history-of-rock.com/james_brown.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-08. 
  3. ^ Jim Dawson, & Steve Propes (1992). What Was the First Rock'n'Roll Record. Boston & London: Faber & Faber. pp. 21–25. ISBN 0-571-12939-0. 
  4. ^ "Ralph Bass". rockhall of fame. Archived from the original on 2006-10-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20061017154207/http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=64. Retrieved 2006-11-08. 
  5. ^ Jim Dawson, & Steve Propes (1992). What Was the First Rock'n'Roll Record. Boston & London: Faber & Faber. pp. 76–79. ISBN 0-571-12939-0. 
  6. ^ Edwards, David; Mike Callahan (1998-01-10). "King/Federal/DeLuxe Story". Both Sides Now Pubs. http://www.bsnpubs.com/king/kingstory.html. Retrieved 2009-08-02.