Cadence Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founder | Archie Bleyer |
| Defunct | 1964 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Records |
Cadence Records was a New York City-based American record company distinguished by its metronome emblem. Established in 1952 by Archie Bleyer, who had previously served as musical director and orchestra leader for Arthur Godfrey, Cadence also operated a short-lived jazz division named Candid Records.
The label’s initial prominent artist was Julius La Rosa, who had ties to Godfrey, followed by other performers connected to Godfrey such as the Chordettes. Bleyer, known as a songwriter and bandleader with recordings across various labels during the 1930s, became embroiled in controversy after Godfrey terminated La Rosa in October 1954. Soon after, Bleyer himself was removed from the Godfrey program due to his signing of Chicago radio personality Don McNeill to Cadence, releasing spoken-word records that competed directly with Godfrey’s ABC morning broadcast.
Cadence released early works from notable musicians including Andy Williams, the Everly Brothers, Johnny Tillotson, and Lenny Welch. The label also signed pianist Don Shirley during the 1950s and 1960s. Among the label’s successful tracks was "Eloise" performed by Kay Thompson.
From 1953 through 1964, Cadence placed nearly one hundred singles on American charts. The company also produced the 1962 hit parody album The First Family, featuring impressionist Vaughn Meader. This album gained acclaim as the fastest-selling record of its era, maintaining the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for twelve weeks with its satirical portrayal of President John F. Kennedy and other political figures. A follow-up album reached #4; however, both albums were withdrawn following Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.
The label’s decline was accelerated by the departures of the Everly Brothers to Warner Bros. Records in 1960 and Andy Williams to Columbia Records in 1961, along with the rising influence of the British Invasion. By 1964, Bleyer decided to close Cadence. After receiving acquisition proposals from Kapp Records, Liberty Records, and Williams—who initially aimed only to reclaim his masters—Bleyer sold the entire Cadence catalog, including that of Candid Records, to Williams. Subsequently, Williams reissued his Cadence material through Columbia and established Barnaby Records to oversee the remaining catalog.
See also
External links
- The Cadence Records Story
- singles discography
- Cadence Records on the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project