If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, withing 24 hours on weekdays.
Customer service
All questions about your order, return and delivery must be sent to our customer service team by e-mail at yourstore@yourdomain.com
Sale & Press
If you are interested in selling our products, need more information about our brand or wish to make a collaboration, please contact us at press@yourdomain.com
Help
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, withing 24 hours on weekdays.
Customer service
All questions about your order, return and delivery must be sent to our customer service team by e-mail at yourstore@yourdomain.com
Sale & Press
If you are interested in selling our products, need more information about our brand or wish to make a collaboration, please contact us at press@yourdomain.com
Product DescriptionLaunched by legendary music industry executive Art Rupe in the mid1940s, the Los Angelesbased Specialty Records emerged as one of the most important independent labels for AfricanAmerican music in the twentieth century. Recognizing that competing with major record companies was a losing battle, Rupe headed to Central Avenue, the center of L.A.s black community, where he spent $200 on what were then known as race records. He carefully analyzed each, developing his own formula for a successful venture. Soon, Specialty was scoring R&B hits with artists such as Roy Milton, Camille Howard, Jimmy and Joe Liggins, and Percy Mayfield. Drawn to the music of New Orleans, Rupe went on to sign Lloyd Price, who topped the charts with Lawdy Miss Clawdy. It was through Price that Specialty acquired its bestknown artist, Little Richard. After Tutti Frutti exploded in 1955, Richard and the label scored a string of successes with Long Tall Sally, Lucille, Keep A Knockin, Good Golly Miss Molly, and more. In addition to R&B and the emerging sounds of rock n roll, Rupe was particularly drawn to the sounds of the church. Black gospel music was an essential element of his company, with a roster that included stars of the genre, such as Sam Cookes Soul Stirrers, Sister Wynona Carr, Brother Joe May, Alex Bradford and the Bradford Specials, and others. From behindthescenes producers Robert Bumps Blackwell, J.W. Alexander, Harold Battiste, and Sonny Bono, to R&B recording stars Floyd Dixon, Guitar Slim, Jesse Belvin, Larry Williams, and Don and Dewey, this is the story of the legendary Specialty Records.About the AuthorArt Rupe is a pioneering music industry executive and record producer. He launched Specialty Records, noted for its rhythm and blues, blues, gospel, and early rock and roll music recordings, in Los Angeles in 1946. Billy Vera is a singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and music historian who wrote and recorded At This Moment, which was a #1 hit in 1987. He won a 2013 Grammy award for his notes for the Ray Charles Box set, Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Veras other books include his memoir, Harlem to Hollywood; Vintage Neon: Los Angeles, 1979; and his forthcoming novel, A Dollop of Toothpaste.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
<div class="dynamic-checkout__content" id="dynamic-checkout-cart" data-shopify="dynamic-checkout-cart"> <shopify-accelerated-checkout-cart wallet-configs="[{"supports_subs":true,"supports_def_opts":false,"name":"shop_pay","wallet_params":{"shopId":73758048501,"merchantName":"Ergodebooks","personalized":true}},{"supports_subs":false,"supports_def_opts":false,"name":"amazon_pay","wallet_params":{"checkoutLanguage":"en_US","ledgerCurrency":"USD","placement":"Cart","sandbox":false,"merchantId":"A1G1ZY975O1T6J","productType":"PayAndShip","design":"C0002"}},{"supports_subs":true,"supports_def_opts":false,"name":"paypal","wallet_params":{"shopId":73758048501,"countryCode":"US","merchantName":"Ergodebooks","phoneRequired":true,"companyRequired":false,"shippingType":"shipping","shopifyPaymentsEnabled":true,"hasManagedSellingPlanState":false,"requiresBillingAgreement":false,"merchantId":"L873BZSC9NMQS","sdkUrl":"https://www.paypal.com/sdk/js?components=buttons\u0026commit=false\u0026currency=USD\u0026locale=en_US\u0026client-id=AbasDhzlU0HbpiStJiN1KRJ_cNJJ7xYBip7JJoMO0GQpLi8ePNgdbLXkC7_KMeyTg8tnAKW4WKrh9qmf\u0026merchant-id=L873BZSC9NMQS\u0026intent=authorize"}}]" access-token="c0f52a66b386e9fa5c0ab4c2febc737c" buyer-country="US" buyer-locale="en" buyer-currency="USD" shop-id="73758048501" cart-id="9a19331ebb1689e0181e0ecc99fb0706" enabled-flags="["d6d12da0","32a68cd0","a1c7ccbe","ce346acf","c0874428"]" > <div class="wallet-button-wrapper"> <ul class='wallet-cart-grid wallet-cart-grid--skeleton' role="list" data-shopify-buttoncontainer="true"> <li data-testid='grid-cell' class='wallet-cart-button-container'><div class='wallet-cart-button wallet-cart-button__skeleton' role='button' disabled aria-hidden='true'> </div></li><li data-testid='grid-cell' class='wallet-cart-button-container'><div class='wallet-cart-button wallet-cart-button__skeleton' role='button' disabled aria-hidden='true'> </div></li><li data-testid='grid-cell' class='wallet-cart-button-container'><div class='wallet-cart-button wallet-cart-button__skeleton' role='button' disabled aria-hidden='true'> </div></li> </ul> </div> </shopify-accelerated-checkout-cart> <small id="shopify-buyer-consent" class="hidden" aria-hidden="true" data-consent-type="subscription"> One or more of the items in your cart is a recurring or deferred purchase. By continuing, I agree to the <span id="shopify-subscription-policy-button">cancellation policy</span> and authorize you to charge my payment method at the prices, frequency and dates listed on this page until my order is fulfilled or I cancel, if permitted. </small> </div>
Stay in the know
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on latest offers, discounts and events near you.
For MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) violations and Intellectual Property (IP) or Trademark concerns, please contact:
support@ergodebooks.com
⚠️ California Proposition 65 Warning: Some products sold on this website may expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.