Art Rupe, Who Brought Rhythm and Blues to the Mainstream, Dies at 104 - The New York Times

As the founder of the independent label Specialty Records, he helped set the table for the rock ’n’ roll era by signing performers like Little Richard.

After selling his interest in Atlas for $600, Mr. Rupe created his own company, Juke Box Records, in 1944. I called it Juke Box because the jukebox was the medium then for plugging records, he told A… [+1929 chars]

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