Keen Records was an American

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small and medium-sized enterprise, small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels ...

, founded by John and Alex Siamas in 1957 in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. John Siamas was a successful businessman in the aerospace industry, and, as a music aficionado, started Keen as a side business. They owned two other labels, Ensign and Andex, which shared the same numbering system with Keen. Bob Keane (later of Del-Fi Records) was with the label in its early days, but departed in late 1957. There was also a short-lived budget album label called "Famous" that reissued Keen material. The Famous albums were issued in the early 1960s, but it was likely owned by the same people, though it is not absolutely certain. Robert "Bumps" Blackwell was the A&R man. It was a black pop

label A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product. Labels are most often affixed to packaging and containers using an adhesive, or sewing when affix ...

, featuring

Sam Cooke Samuel Cooke (; January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) was an American singer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential soul music, soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distin ...

and Johnny "Guitar" Watson.

References

External links

Keen/Andex/Famous Labels Album Discography
American independent record labels Record labels established in 1957 Rhythm and blues record labels Blues record labels {{US-record-label-stub

See also

References

External links