Exclusive Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Founder | Leon René |
| Defunct | January 1950 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Leon René, Buddy Baker |
Exclusive Records was a Los Angeles-based record label founded by Leon René in 1944 and remained active until January 1950.
History
Founded by Leon René, Exclusive Records featured musical direction under Buddy Baker. The label's lineup included notable performers such as Lucky Thompson, the Basin Street Boys, the Ceele Burke Orchestra, Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters, Herb Jeffries, Rickey Jordan, Jack McVea & His Orchestra, Mabel Scott, Frantic Fay Thomas, Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers, and Johnny Moore's Three Blazers featuring Charles Brown.
Leon René and his brother Otis René, who owned Excelsior Records, purchased a shellac pressing facility. However, the shift from 78 rpm shellac discs to 45 rpm vinyl records made their machinery outdated, causing both labels to discontinue operations.
In 1951, Leon René established Class Records alongside his son, musician Googie René. Later, in 1958, he co-founded Rendezvous Records with new collaborators.
Roster
- Big Jay McNeely
- Buddy Baker Orchestra
- Ceele Burke Orchestra
- Charles Lind
- Dan Burley & His Skiffle Boys
- Doye O'Dell
- Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters
- Ernie Andrews
- Four Hits and a Miss
- Frances Wayne
- "Frantic" Fay Thomas
- Gladys Watts
- Herb Jeffries
- Jack McVea & His Orchestra
- Jimmie Hudson
- Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers
- Joe Swift (with Johnny Otis & His Orchestra)
- Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
- Les Robinson Orchestra
- Mabel Scott
- Paul Martin Orchestra
- Pete Peterson Orchestra
- Prince Cooper Trio
- Rafael Méndez Orchestra
- Red Callender Trio
- Redd Harper
- Rickey Jordan
- Smokey Hogg
- Steve Miller's Four Barons
- Texas Jim Lewis & His Lone Star Cowboys
- The Basin Street Boys
- The Dixieaires
- The Famous Ward Singers of Philadelphia
- The Gay Sisters of Chicago
- The Sallie Martin Singers
- WMA Soul Stirrers of Houston
External links
- Exclusive Records at the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project