Modern Records
Modern Records was an American record company and label formed in 1945 in Los Angeles by the Bihari brothers. Modern was one of the big R&B labels with artists including Etta James, Joe Houston, Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner and John Lee Hooker. The label released some of the most influential blues and R&B records of the 1940s and 1950s.
History
In the beginning, Modern bought master recordings from other small labels. The Biharis also often used pseudonyms to give themselves writing credit on songs.Having started as an R&B label, Modern was later one of the few R&B labels to routinely cover rhythm and blues hits on other labels, apparently in an attempt to broaden their appeal and reach the popular market.
In 1958, Modern stopped issuing records, and the Bihari brothers formed Kent Records. In 1964, the Modern label was revived, but went bankrupt a few years later and ceased operations. The catalog went with the management into Kent Records. This back catalog was eventually licensed to the UK label Ace Records in the 1980s and later sold outright during the 1990s. Ace Records of the U.K. now owns the tapes.
Management and staff
- Saul, Jules and Joe Bihari were the main people who ran the label. The older brother Lester was only there sporadically.
- Ike Turner was a talent scout and session musician for Modern Records in the early 1950s. Artists Turner discovered for Modern include Bobby "Blue" Bland, Howlin' Wolf, and Rosco Gordon. According to B.B. King and Joe Bihari, Turner introduced King to the Bihari brothers which led to his RPM releases.
- Tony Hilder was an A&R man for Modern Records in the late 1950s. Later he went on to form his own labels, first CT Records and later owner and president of Impact Records.
- Austin McCoy was an artist, session musician and recording session director with Modern Records. He left Modern in late 1950 to take up an A&R post with Mercury Records at their Beverly Hills office.
Albums
- Modern Music: The First Year - 1945
Mono
| Mono albums |
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Stereo
| Stereo albums |
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Selected singles
Subsidiaries
- RPM Records
- Flair Records
- Meteor Records
- Crown Records
- Yuletide Records