Rip It Up: The Specialty Records Story

by Billy Vera, Art Rupe (Foreword)

Launched by legendary music industry executive Art Rupe in the mid-1940s, the Los Angeles-based Specialty Records emerged as one of the most important independent labels for African-American music in the twentieth century. Recognizing that competing with major record companies was a losing battle, Rupe headed to Central Avenue, the center of L.A.’s black community, where he spent $200 on what were then known as “race records.” He carefully analyzed each, developing his own formula for a
successful venture.

Soon, Specialty was scoring R&B hits with artists such as Roy Milton, Camille Howard, Jimmy and Joe Liggins, and Percy Mayfield. Drawn to the music of New Orleans, Rupe went on to sign Lloyd Price, who topped the charts with “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.” It was through Price that Specialty acquired its best-known artist, Little Richard. After “Tutti Frutti” exploded in 1955, Richard and the label scored a string of successes with “Long Tall Sally,” “Lucille,” “Keep A Knockin’,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and more.

In addition to R&B and the emerging sounds of rock ’n’ roll, Rupe was particularly drawn to the sounds of the church. Black gospel music was an essential element of his company, with a roster that included stars of the genre, such as Sam Cooke’s Soul Stirrers, Sister Wynona Carr, Brother Joe May, Alex Bradford and the Bradford Specials, and others.

From behind-the-scenes producers Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, J.W. Alexander, Harold Battiste, and Sonny Bono, to R&B recording stars Floyd Dixon, Guitar Slim, Jesse Belvin, Larry Williams, and Don and Dewey, this is the story of the legendary Specialty Records.

Genres: Music

177 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy Vera is a very knowledgeable and talented musician, author, record producer, song writer....on and on. This book is the story of one of the first rock and roll record labels. It's the label that brought us Little Richard, Larry Williams, Percy Mayfield etc. Billy Vera does a superb job of documenting the story of the label. Do I need to point out to younger people that record label is synonymous with record company? The record business as described herein ceased to exist sometime in the late or mid 1970s. It was a world of small independent record producers and labels run by people of varying honesty, but some of whom really loved and knew the music they were cranking out. Art Rupe owned and operated Specialty Records. He was one of the good guys and an excellent record producer. The author knew him personally and if you are interested in this sort of thing this book is a good one.

[Carol Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vera has access and knowledge but could have used an experienced co-writer.

[Danny]

Not the depth I was hoping for. Doesn't really tell the "story" of the label. Feels more like an outline.

[AK · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of sexist and homophobic passages, plus a long string of disjointed mini bios of musicians. Did not enjoy.