Artists on King
Mary Lou Williams
1910–1981 · American jazz pianist and composer (1910–1981)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1935–1977 · American musician (1935-1977)
King Curtis
1934–1971 · American saxophonist (1934–1971)
Earl Bostic
1913–1965 · American jazz saxophonist (1913–1965)
Eddie Vinson
1917–1988 · American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist…
Wynonie Harris
1915–1969 · American blues singer (1915–1969)
Tiny Bradshaw
1907–1958 · American jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, singer…
Bill Doggett
1916–1996 · American jazz and rhythm and blues pianist and organist…
The J.B.'s
1970– · band
Lorez Alexandria
1929–2001 · American musician (1929-2001)
Abu Talib
1939–2009 · American guitarist; born Fred Leroy Robinson (1939–2009)
Kenneth C. Burns
1920–1989 · American musician (1920–1989)
Label profile
Also appears as "King" only.
Prominent midwestern American record label that operated in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1943 until 1968.
For the Japanese label of the same name, please see King Records.
For the UK label of the same name, please see King Records (4).
For counterfeit editions and other unofficial versions of King releases, please see King Records (19).
Founded by Syd Nathan, it initially focused on the midwestern country music market, but proceeded to expand to pop, rock, R&B, soul, and other genres while working closely with several sister labels, which included Bethlehem Records, DeLuxe (2), Federal (5), Queen (5), and several others. During this time, it operated alongside Royal Plastics Corporation, a pressing plant, and King Studios, a recording studio, from adjacent buildings on Brewster Avenue in Cincinnati. King has since become known for its work with James Brown, who joined the label in 1950 and remained for nearly two decades. The departure of Brown coupled with the death of Nathan in 1968 precipitated King's demise and culminated in the sale of its catalog to Starday Records during October of 1968.
The label was owned by King Records, Inc. (3) and operated in
Profile from Discogs (CC0)