Stevens Records Explained

Stevens Records
Founded:1959
Genre:R&B, rock and roll
Founder:Bill Stevens and Fred Stevens
Status:Defunct
Location:Granite City, Illinois, U.S.

Stevens Records was a record label operated by father-and-son, Fred and Bill Stevens in Granite City, Illinois.[1] [2] Fred Stevens, a painter and his son Bill Stevens, an R&B enthusiast, were inspired by the thriving music scene in St. Louis and the neighboring East St. Louis, but they felt there was a lack of artists recording locally so they started their own label in 1959. The label is best known for their recordings of musician Ike Turner, who recorded under the name Icky Renrut because he was still under contract with Sun Records.[3]

Discography

!Catalog No.!Releasedate!Single (A-side, B-side)!Artist!Notes
1001Mar 1959A: "Look At That Chick"B: "Gotta Have You For Myself"Johnny WrightCash Box review (Apr 4, 1959)[4]

Billboard review (Apr 6, 1959)[5]

102Apr 1959A: "I Woke Up One Morning"B: "Shirley Can't You See"Little Bobby Foster With The Premiers
Cash Box review (May 2, 1959)[6]
103May 1959A: "It's So Hard To Say Goodnite"B: "Cherokee Rock"Chuck WheelerBillboard reviews (May 11, 1959)[7]

Cash Box review (Jul 4, 1959)[8]

1041959A: "Jack Rabbit"B: "In Your Eyes Baby"Icky Renrut
1051959A: "Moving Slow"B: "Evening Train"Little Cooper And The Drifters
1061959A: "Angel Of Love"B: "Star Above"Bobby Foster And Orchestra
107Sep 1959A: "Ho–Ho"B: "Hey–Hey"Icky RenrutBillboard review (Sep 7, 1959)[9]

References

  1. Web site: Lucky break: Rhythm runs through renowned Ike & Tina guitarist's veins. Moon. Jill. August 24, 2016. The Telegraph.
  2. Web site: A Bona Fide Blues Man: Terre Haute's Johnny T. "Rolling Stone" Wright. March 6, 2015. National Road Magazine. en-US.
  3. Book: Present Tense: Rock & Roll and Culture. Duke University Press. DeCurtis, Anthony. 1992. 0-8223-1265-4. Durham, N.C.. 33–34. 26095859.
  4. April 4, 1959. R&B Reviews. Cash Box. 90.
  5. April 6, 1959. Reviews of New Pop Records. Billboard. 88.
  6. May 2, 1959. R&B Reviews. Cash Box. 56.
  7. May 11, 1959. Reviews of New Pop Records. Billboard. 51.
  8. July 4, 1959. Record Reviews. Cash Box. 16.
  9. September 7, 1959. Reviews of New Pop Records. Billboard. 45.