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 Cincinnati, Ohio until 1968 when it relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where King Records, Inc. was reestablished as its owner. After King's sale to Starday Records, Starday-King Records, Inc. was formed and assumed ownership thereafter. In 1971, the Polydor label acquired James Brown's back catalog. The remaining catalog was ultimately acquired by King's present owner Gusto Records, Inc. in 1974. Collectables, a Pennsylvania reissue label, began to re-release some of King's recordings in 2001.
For its companies, please see:
King Records, Co.
King Records, Inc. (3) (pre-1968)
King Records, Inc. (post-1968)
King (47) (only for 'King' credits eg 'A King Recording').
Note:
- All 45rpms with the King crown logo are released in either blue or red color.
- All releases with cat. no. "45-KNG XXX" are reissues.
-According to Both Sides Now Publication, King used the record's price as the prefix for 10" LPs in the 1950s. For these releases, the prefix for the catalog number could be "295" ($2.95), "265" ($2.65), "219" ($2.19), or other values.
45 RPM Catalog Number, Date and Label Identification:
500 through 1470 (1951–1955): Maroon label.
1471 through 1502 (1955): Blue label.
4449 through 4544 (1951–1952): Blue label with the letters "AA" following the number and no "High Fidelity" shown.
4545 through 4834 (1952–1955): Blue label without the letters "AA" following the number and no "High Fidelity" shown.
4835 through 5266 (1955–1959): Blue label with "High Fidelity" in small print.
5267 and higher (1959 forward): Blue label with "High Fidelity" in larger print.
Clear colored vinyl (blue, purple, green and red) was pressed in the 1000–1150 and in the 4450–4525 series. Numbers prior to the beginning of 45 production are reissues of material first issued on 78 rpms.
