Bobbin Records

Bobbin Records was a St. Louis-based label founded by blues musician Little Milton and KATZ-AM disc jockey Bob Lyons in 1958.[1][2] The label was instrumental in exposing Milton and other local artist to wider audiences. As the head of A&R, Milton recruited Albert King, Oliver Sain, and Fontella Bass to record for Bobbin.[2] Bobbin was eventually distributed by the Chess Records.[3]

Bobbin Records
Founded1958
FounderLittle Milton and Bob Lyons
Defunct1963
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s)Chess Records
GenreR&B, blues, rock and roll
LocationSt. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

The Bobbin catalog consists of 44 records between 1958 and 1963.[4] The first release on the label was Milton's "I'm A Lonely Man" in 1958 which sold 60,000 copies.[3] Altogether Milton released seven singles on the label, including two that were released after Leonard Chess bout out Lyons and signed Milton and other artists on Bobbin to his Checker Records label.

In October 1961, Bobbin released Albert King's "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" which featured musician Ike Turner on piano.[5] The single did well enough locally that King Records leased the recording from Bobbin and released it as a single the next month.[6] It became King's first hit, peaking No.14 on the Billboard R&B chart.[7]

In 1996, Ace Records released the compilation CD St. Louis Blues Revue: The Classic Bobbin Sessions.[4]

Partial discography
Catalog No. Release

date

 Single (A-side, B-side) Artist Notes
101 Nov 1958 A: "That Will Never Do"

B: "I'm A Lonely Man"

 Little Milton
102 1958 A: "Limited Love"

B: "Unlimited Love"

 Roosevelt Marks Orchestra With Clayton Love
103 Feb 1959 A: "Long Distance Operator"

B: "I Found Me A New Love"

 Little Milton
105 Mar 1959 A: "Rock And Roll Blues"

B: "Gamblin' Man"

 Jules Blattner And His Teen Tones Billboard review (Mar 30, 1959)[8]
108 May 1959 A: "Bye Bye, Baby"

B: "Mistreated"

 Roosevelt Marks Orchestra With Clayton Love
112 Sept 1959 A: "Strange Dreams"

B: "I'm Tryin'"

 Little Milton
114 Oct 1959 A: "Ooh-Ee Baby"

B: "Why Are You So Mean To Me?"

 Albert King Cash Box review (Nov 7, 1959)[9]
117 Nov 1959 A: "Hold Me Tight"

B: "Same Old Blues"

 Little Milton Cash Box review (Dec 5, 1959)[10]
124 Sep 1960 A: "It's Best To Know Who You're Talking To"

B: "I Don't Want No Woman"

 Grandpappy Gibson
126 Sep 1960 A: "Let's Have A Natural Ball!"

B: "Blues At Sunrise"

 Albert King
129 Jan 1961 A: "I Walked All Night Long"

B: "I've Made Nights By Myself"

 Albert King Cash Box review (Feb 4, 1961)[11]
131 Oct 1961 A: "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong"

B: "This Morning"

 Albert King "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong"

was leased to King Records (R&B No. 14)[7]

132 Feb 1962 A: "Give Me Your Love"

B: "Gotta Find My Baby"

 Delores Johnson written by Ike Turner

produced by Ike & Tina Turner

133 Apr 1962 A: "Hucklebuck Twist"

B: "Harlem Nocturne"

 Oliver Sain Billboard review (Apr 21, 1962)[12]
134 Apr 1962 A: "I Don't Hurt Anymore"

B: "Brand New Love"

 Fontella Bass Billboard review (Apr 21, 1962)[12]
135 Jun 1962 A: "I Get Evil"

B: "What Can I Do To Change Your Mind"

 Albert King
140 Sep 1962 A: "Honey Bee"

B: "Bad Boy"

 Fontella Bass with Oliver Sain's Orchestra

Billboard review (Sep 15, 1962)[13]

References
  1. "15 New Labels Join Parade" (PDF). Billboard: 11. December 1, 1958.
  2. "The Best St. Louis Blues Musicians of All Time". St. Louis Magazine. June 1, 2016.
  3. "Little Milton | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  4. Olson, Bruce R. (2016). That St. Louis Thing, Vol. 2: An American Story of Roots, Rhythm and Race. Lulu. p. 130. ISBN 978-1-4834-5799-4.
  5. Obrecht, Jas (2000). Rollin' and Tumblin': The Postwar Blues Guitarists. Distributed to the Book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Publishers Group West. pp. 349. ISBN 0-87930-613-0. OCLC 247521119.
  6. Bogdanov, Vladimir, Woodstra, Chris. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. (2003). All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues. Hal Leonard Corporatio. p. 306. ISBN 0879307366.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Hot R&B Sides" (PDF). Billboard. December 11, 1961. p. 36.
  8. "Reviews of New Pop Records" (PDF). Billboard: 51. March 30, 1959.
  9. "R&B Reviews" (PDF). Billboard: 61. November 7, 1959.
  10. "R&B Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 55. December 5, 1959.
  11. "Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 12. February 4, 1961.
  12. "Reviews of New Singles" (PDF). Billboard: 40. April 21, 1962.
  13. "Reviews of New Singles" (PDF). Billboard: 29. September 15, 1962.
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