Ed Bahlman

Ed Bahlman (born 1950) is the American founder of 99 Records,[1] the legendary postpunk label from New York, home to ESG and Liquid Liquid. He also ran an independent record shop of the same name at 99 MacDougal Street in New York City,[2] an iconic import record store.

1980 - 1984

99 (pronounced Nine Nine) specialised in Indie/dub/new wave music and was founded in 1980. The shop was set up in a corner of Bahlman's girlfriend's (Gina Franklyn) clothing store in Greenwich Village.[3] 99 imported records from Rough Trade in London, and had on its label artists such as The Notekillers, ESG, Liquid Liquid, Vivien Goldman, Bush Tetras, The Congos, Y Pants and Glenn Branca. Terry Tolkin, later an Elektra Records vice president and No.6 Records label head, worked there. Bahlman actively participated in the production and mixing of many of the 99 releases.[4]

The shop became a popular venue for musicians and music fans who were interested in new wave music. Since its demise, the reputation of the label and that of its groups has steadily grown. In its very short tenure, 99 Records turned out some of the most sampled records of all times.

99 closed in 1984 after a litigation case with Sugar Hill Gang where music sampling rights were contended:

"Bahlman sued Sugar Hill as "White Lines," whose writing credit listed only Melle Mel and Sugar Hill co-owner Sylvia Robinson, became a huge hit. Though he eventually won a lengthy court case and set an early precedent in the still poorly defined realm of sampling law, the results were disastrous for all involved. Sugar Hill declared bankruptcy rather than pay the ordered $600,000 settlement; faced with enormous legal costs and disillusioned with the music business, Bahlman folded 99 Records." Village Voice article by Ezra Gale, March 23 2012.[5]

After 99 Records

Bahlman did not return to the music industry after the demise of 99 and has become somewhat elusive since the demise of the label, although the records he produced at 99 have become extremely valuable and are highly sought after.

References

  1. ↑ "Ed Bahlman Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  2. ↑ About.com
  3. ↑ "Optimo • 99 Records". Optimo.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  4. ↑ "How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Independent Record Label" by Martha Maeda
  5. ↑ Village Voice article

External links