Blue Rock Records was an American record label, a subsidiary of

Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. Mercury Records released ...

, and like their parent, based in Chicago between 1964 and 1969. Blue Rock, headed by Carl Proctor, was an attempt by major label Mercury to enter the burgeoning soul music market. The label produced records in-house as well as releasing efforts produced independently. The in-house producers were based in Chicago and New York. One artist signed to the label was Chicagoan Otis Leavill, who released 4 singles on the label, including "Let Her Love Me" (1964), one of the label's few national hits, reaching #29 on the ''Cashbox'' R&B chart in February, 1965. Another artist signed to the label who received a modicum of success was Dee Dee Warwick, sister of Dionne Warwick, who hit with "We're Doing Fine" in 1965. The same year, Blue Rock released a version of " Mustang Sally" by its author, Sir

Mack Rice Bonny "Mack" Rice (November 10, 1933 – June 27, 2016), sometimes credited as Sir Mack Rice, was an American songwriter and singer. His best-known composition and biggest hit as a solo performer was " Mustang Sally". He also wrote " Respect Yo ...

. The imprint was put on hiatus in 1966 but was relaunched in 1968. Jack Daniels was put in charge of A&R and production, but by 1970, the label was once again discontinued. Joyce Kennedy ("I'm a Good Girl"), Tony Diamond,

Johnnie Mae Matthews Johnnie Mae Matthews (December 31, 1922 – January 6, 2002) was an American blues and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer from Bessemer, Alabama. Known as the "Godmother of Detroit Soul" and as the first African American female to own ...

, Little Rose Little, Big Tim & The Empires, Janeen Henry, Big Frank & The Essences, Johnny Moore, Kenny Carlton, Bobby Hutton, The Commotions, Brothers Of Love, Johnny & Jake, Shirley Wahls & Spouse, Renaldo Domino and Dizzy Jones were also on the roster. The 1990s double compilation album of the label's output, ''Lost and Found: The Blue Rock Records Story'', is out of print.

References

American record labels Record labels established in 1964 Record labels disestablished in 1969 {{US-record-label-stub

See also

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