Kangaroo Records Explained

Kangaroo Records was an American record label established in 1958 in Houston, Texas by co-founders Henry Hayes and M.L. Young.[1] It was an independent label and recorded at Gold Star Studio in Houston.[2] [3] The label debuted the work of musical artists Albert Collins and Joe "Guitar" Hughes, including the 1958 hit "The Freeze". Hayes was also a musician and played the alto sax[4] and recorded songs with his own band as well as backing other artists.

History

Henry Hayes, Jr. was born in 1923 in Dallas, Texas.[5] He worked as a public school teacher and lived in Houston's Third Ward. He was recorded on singles for various labels. Hayes and his friend Mel "M. L." Young started the Kangaroo Records record label together in spring of 1958.[6]

Hayes had heard about Albert Collins from Joe "Guitar" Hughes. After seeing him perform live, Hayes encouraged Collins to record a single for Kangaroo Records. Collins recorded his debut single, "Freeze", backed with "Collins Shuffle", for the label at Gold Star Studios in the spring of 1958, with Hayes on saxophone.[7] Texas blues bands of this period incorporated a horn section, and Collins later credited Hayes with teaching him how to arrange for horns. Collins' instrumental song "The Freeze" became a hit.

Joe Hughes first recordings were with Kangaroo Records.[8]

Hayes was part of music groups known as the Four Kings, Rhythm Kings, and Henry Hayes Orchestra. Hayes influenced other musicians,[9] and founded several record labels over the years.[10]

Discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bradley . Andy . House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/SugarHill Recording Studios . Wood . Roger . March 1, 2010 . University of Texas Press . 9780292783249 . Google Books.
  2. Book: Down in Houston: Bayou City blues. Charles Roger. Wood. James. Fraher. April 1, 2003. University of Texas Press. 9780292791596. Google Books.
  3. Book: Bradley . Andy . House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/SugarHill Recording Studios . Wood . Roger . April 1, 2010 . University of Texas Press . 9780292719194 . Google Books.
  4. Book: Rubin, Dave . Inside the Blues: 1942 to 1982 . January 1, 2007 . Hal Leonard Corporation . 9781423416661 . Google Books.
  5. Book: Blues: A Regional Experience. Bob L.. Eagle. Eric S.. LeBlanc. May 1, 2013. ABC-CLIO. 9780313344244. Google Books.
  6. Book: Govenar, Alan B. . Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound . 9 October 2008 . Texas A&M University Press . 978-1-58544-605-6 . 223– . 4 July 2013.
  7. Book: Bradley, Andy. House of Hits. March 2010. 23 June 2013. University of Texas Press. 978-0-292-78324-9. 83–.
  8. Book: Jasinski, Laurie E. . Handbook of Texas Music . February 22, 2012 . Texas A&M University Press . 9780876112977 . Google Books.
  9. Book: Larkin, Colin. The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues. April 28, 1998. Virgin. 9780753502266. Google Books.
  10. Book: Charles Roger Wood. James Fraher. Down in Houston: Bayou City blues. 1 April 2003. University of Texas Press. 978-0-292-79159-6.
  11. Book: Greensmith . Bill . Blues Unlimited: Essential Interviews from the Original Blues Magazine . Camarigg . Mark . Rowe . Mike . September 30, 2015 . University of Illinois Press . 9780252097508 . Google Books.
  12. Web site: Living Blues. April 28, 2003. Center for the Study of S Southern Culture, The University of Mississippi. Google Books.
  13. Web site: The Freeman Twins, Henry Hayes and His Orchestra – Two Big Feet / Call of the Kangaroo (Vinyl). .
  14. Book: Smackin' that wax : the Kangaroo Records story, 1959-1964.. June 5, 1992. Collectables. 045536770 .

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