Sidewalk Records
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Mike Curb |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, California , United States |
| Parent | Capitol Records (original), Curb Records (revived) |
Sidewalk Records was a record label headquartered in Hollywood, California, established in 1963 by Mike Curb when he was just eighteen years old. Originally launched as Sidewalk Productions, it eventually operated as a subsidiary under Capitol Records. Numerous releases from Sidewalk Productions were distributed through Capitol's affiliated label, Tower Records—which is distinct from the Tower Records retail chain.
The label mainly specialized in issuing soundtrack albums for movies produced by American International Pictures, frequently focusing on B-movies with themes involving motorcycles, car racing, psychedelic culture, and exploitation genres. Among the notable soundtracks were Thunder Alley, The Wild Racers, Psych-Out, The Trip, Three in the Attic, and Peter Fonda's The Wild Angels.
Guitarist Davie Allan and his band Davie Allan and The Arrows were regular contributors to Sidewalk’s catalog, although the majority of their work was released through Tower. Allan, alongside other studio musicians, recorded many 45 RPM singles under various band names; several of these singles were issued under Mike Curb’s own name. Songwriter Harley Hatcher also frequently provided material for the label.
Curb signed the Burbank-based group The Riptides, releasing his original song "Sally Ann" backed with "April" (Sidewalk 904) in the spring of 1966. In 1967, The Riptides recorded "Last Wave of The Day" for the film Mondo Hollywood (Tower DT-5083). Other significant releases included a novelty album by hippie street performer and health food advocate Gypsy Boots, regarded as Sidewalk’s response to Tiny Tim, as well as the debut single from Electric Flag, featuring Mike Bloomfield and Buddy Miles.
The single featuring the Johnny Otis composition "So Fine" backed with "Everybody Has His Own Ideas" by Stone Poneys (Sidewalk 937) represents the earliest known recordings of Linda Ronstadt, dating back to 1965; these tracks were produced by Mike Curb. Released toward the end of 1966, this single has become a sought-after collectible among Linda Ronstadt fans, with auction prices reaching up to $144.
Before Mike Curb sold Sidewalk for a considerable amount and was appointed head of MGM Records in 1969, the label had issued approximately 20 LPs alongside numerous singles. Around that period, Tower Records also ceased its operations. While at MGM, Curb championed artists such as The Osmonds, Eric Burdon and War, Solomon Burke, Lou Rawls, and Sammy Davis Jr.. He later founded Curb Records, based in Nashville, which continues to operate today.
In April 2012, Sidewalk Records was revived by Curb Records with country artist Heidi Newfield serving as its lead act. That year also saw the release of Clay Walker's single "Jesse James" through Sidewalk. Subsequent releases featured Tyler Dean’s "I Wanna Wake Up With You" including vocals from Ashley Gearing (November 2012), Morgan Frazier’s debut single "Yellow Brick Road" (February 2013), and debut tracks from Dylan Scott, including "Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy" (February 2013).