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Laurie Records

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Laurie Records
Parent companyCapitol Music Group/Universal Music Group
Founded1958
FounderRobert Schwartz
Gene Schwartz
Allan I. Sussel
Country of originUSA
LocationNew York City, NY

Laurie Records was a record label started in 1958 by brothers Robert and Gene Schwartz, and Allan I. Sussel. Sussel's earlier record company, Jamie Records (named after his elder daughter), had been unsuccessful, and as a result, Sussel joined forces with Schwartz to found Laurie Records, this time named after his other daughter, Laura Sue Sussel. By the early 1960s, Elliot Greenberg, an arranger and friend of Schwartz's, had gained a 12% ownership of the company. In addition, Gene's brother Bob Schwartz also became involved in the company, largely due to pressure from their mother, who wanted to see Bob involved in the record business. The company eventually grew to include a number of subsidiary labels, most notably Andie Records (which later changed its name to Rust Records).

The label variations for Laurie singles were of three types: First, a grey label with Laurie Records written across the top. This was used for first release only, #3013. It then changed to a sky blue label, with the same basic printing of Laurie Records, from #3014 thru #3020. After the first few singles had been released, it changed to the typically recognized label of four red corners with the black square at the hole punch, with Laurie written at the top, from #3021 onward. Of those earlier releases, only #3013 and #3015, both releases by Dion & the Belmonts, were regular re-issues as part of the more familiar label design.

Among the most famous recording artists on Laurie's roster were Dion and the Belmonts, The Mystics, The Chiffons, The Jarmels, Bobby Goldsboro, and The Royal Guardsmen. Dion and the Belmonts were responsible for the first of Laurie's hit singles with their 1958 doo-wop song, "I Wonder Why". Ten years later, the group's lead vocalist, Dion DiMucci (known professionally as Dion), had a solo hit on the label with "Abraham, Martin & John". Another sizable hit for the label was the controversial song "Once You Understand", written and produced by the songwriting team of Lou Stalmman and Bobby Susser and released by the duo in 1971 under the pseudonym Think. Being a small independent record label, Laurie's chart successes usually occurred one at a time and, for the most part, with one-off hits, as was the case with the Mystics, the Jarmels, the Chiffons, and the Royal Guardsmen. In 1966, Laurie released a psychedelic single, "Charity" by the Gray Things, which appears on multiple compilation albums, including Mindrocker, a 13 CD anthology of US 60's psychedelic recordings released in Germany in 1982. "Charity" was issued in limited quantities but it remains popular today via multiple "You Tube" posts.[1]

The label also distributed records under several subsidiary labels, including Rust, Legrand, Calico, President, Providence,[2] Dolphin (not to be confused with the Liberty-owned Dolphin/Dolton label). Laurie Records also handled the American distribution of records by the British Invasion band Gerry and the Pacemakers. Jo Siopis, a well known record producer and wife of Gerry & the Pacemakers' bass player, Les Chadwick, was instrumental in the distribution of Laurie Records albums in the United States.

Laurie changed its name in the early 1980s to 3C Records. 3C stands for Continental Communications Corporation and the master recordings that 3C produced are owned by the Capitol Records unit of Universal Music Group.

Laurie Records artists

See also

References

  1. ^ An internet search of "The Gray Things" with either "Charity" or "on Laurie Records" will confirm compilation albums and multiple You Tube" posts which, in many cases, provides the compilation album cover with the post.
  2. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1967-07-08). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ The Discography of Laurie records shows "Charity" by the "Gray Things" as record No. LR 3367
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