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Bobby Robinson (record producer)
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Name
Bobby Robinson
Role
Record producer
Born
April 16, 1917Union, South Carolina, United States (
Bobby Robinson (April 16, 1917 – January 7, 2011) was an American independent record producer and songwriter in New York City, most active from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. He produced hits by Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Dave "Baby" Cortez, Elmore James, Lee Dorsey, Gladys Knight & The Pips, King Curtis, Spoonie Gee, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, and Treacherous Three. He founded or co-founded Red Robin Records, Whirlin' Disc Records, Fury Records, Fire Records and Enjoy Records. Bobby Robinson's catalog is represented by Downtown Music Publishing.
Born in Union, South Carolina, Robinson served in the US Army in World War II. After the war, Robinson moved to New York City and opened "Bobby's Record Shop" (later "Bobby's Happy House") in 1946. His was the first black-owned business on Harlem's famed 125th Street. Located on the corner of 125th St. and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (formerly, "8th Avenue"), his shop remained open until January 21, 2008, forced to close only because its landlord planned to raze the building for new construction. Robinson's store outlasted large chain store competitors, including HMV and the Wiz.
The store became a focal point for the independent record producers establishing themselves in New York, and Robinson spent some time assisting Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic Records. He produced his first recording, "Bobby's Boogie" by saxophonist Morris Lane and his band, in 1951, but originally specialised in recording vocal groups including the Mello-Moods, the Rainbows, the Vocaleers and the Du Droppers. However, he also recorded blues performers such as Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and had his first major success with "Shake Baby Shake" by Champion Jack Dupree in 1953. The record was released on Red Robin Records, which Robinson had established the previous year, originally under the name Robin Records until forced to change the name after legal threats by another company.
Having enjoyed healthy local sales with doo-wop and blues discs in the early-to-mid-1950s, he established several more record labels in the 1950s and 1960s, some in partnership with his brother, Danny Robinson. Among them were Whirlin' Disc Records in 1956, Fury Records and Everlast Records in 1957, Fire Records in 1959, and Enjoy Records in 1962. He launched Fire and Fury as vehicles for rhythm and blues and rock and roll artists, most of which were produced by him in New York City, but some were produced by others and acquired by him in various Southern cities.
Robinson produced numerous million-selling records by such notable performers as Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Lee Dorsey, and Dave "Baby" Cortez, many of whom were signed to the label by A&R man Marshall Sehorn. One of his earliest hits was Harrison's "Kansas City", over which he faced legal action brought by Herman Lubinsky of Savoy Records, who claimed he had Harrison under contract. Robinson produced Gladys Knight & the Pips' first hit, "Every Beat of My Heart" (after he signed them to Fury; the original version was recorded in Atlanta, issued locally on Hintom and leased to Vee Jay, who had the bigger hit). Robinson produced several of Elmore James' greatest records as well as recordings by other leading blues musicians including Lightnin' Hopkins, Arthur Crudup, and Buster Brown. King Curtis's "Soul Twist" was the first release of his Enjoy label in 1962, and over twenty years later, he released the highly successful hit, "I’m The Packman (Eat Everything I Can)" by The Packman, on the same label. The rights to Robinson's recordings on Fire and Fury were sold to Bell Records in 1965.
"The common thread that connected all of Robinson's various record labels was his uncanny ability to bring out the best in his artists. While most producers at that time attempted to soften the edges of rhythm & blues singers in hopes of appealing to the pop market, Robinson delighted in capturing raw-edged artists like Elmore James and Buster Brown just as they were."
In the 1970s, Robinson produced some of the first hip-hop music records for his "Enjoy" label and had considerable influence and success in that genre through the mid-1980s. He achieved another success in 1979, when he recorded Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's first record, "Superrappin'", an innovative record which was very influential in hip-hop's early years. A local hit among New York area hip-hop fans, the music industry, however, was not ready for the new sound, and the record failed to hit nationwide.
Robinson then went on to commercial success with other old school hip hop artists, including Pumpkin and Friends, the Funky Four Plus One More, Spoonie Gee (Robinson's nephew), and Kool Moe Dee with the Treacherous Three.
Robinson chalked up yet another success when he produced Doug E. Fresh's "Just Having Fun (Do The Beatbox)", which introduced beatboxing to the record-buying public.
Robinson died on January 7, 2011 at the age of 93, after a period of declining health.
505 – Chuck Bradford – You're Gonna Miss Me / Say It Was A Dream
506 – Tarheel Slim & Little Ann – Forever I'll Be Yours / Can't Stay Away From You
507 – Buster Brown – I'm Going Out But I'll Be Back / Sugar Babe
508 – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford – I Need Your Lovin' / Tell Me
509 – ?
510 – Bobby Marchan – Yes It's Written All Over Your Face / Look At My Heart
511 – Chuck Bradford – You Can't Hurt Me Anymore / Wherever You Are
512 – Linda Martell & The Anglos – A Little Tear / The Things I Do For You
513 – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford – Don't You Worry / I'm Coming Home To Stay
514 – Dr Horse – Jack The Cat Was Clean / Salt Pork West Va
515 – ?
516 – Buster Brown – Raise A Ruckus Tonight / Gonna Love My Baby
517 – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford – Lead Me On / Tcb (Taking Care Of Business)
1501 – Arthur Crudup – Rock Me Mama / Mean Ole Frisco
1502 – Arthur Crudup – Katie Mae / Dig Myself A Hole
1503 – Elmore James – Strangerblues / Anna Lee
2020 – Elmore James – Pickin' The Blues / It Hurts Me To
2021 – Buster Brown – Sugar Babe / Don't Dog Your Woman
2022 – Larry Dale – Rock A While / The Things I Used To Do
5001 – Darwin Nelson – Mary Sue / Good Gosh Gerty – 1959
Fire LP discography
FLP-100 – Here Are The Hits! – Various Artists [1959] Original cover has photograph of teenagers dancing. Record label is white with red printing. Deserie – Charts/Mary Lee – Rainbows/Dear One -Scarlets/I've Lost – Scarlets/I – Velvets/I Cried – Velvets//My Love Will Never Die – Channels/Bye Bye Baby – Channels/Evening – Rainbows/Oh Gee Oh Gosh – Kodaks/I'm So Happy – Teen Chords/Lydia – Teen Chords
FLP-100 – Memory Lane – Various Artists [1959] Second cover called "Memory Lane, Hits by the Original Groups", there is no picture. Record label is red with black printing. Deserie -Charts/Mary Lee – Rainbows/Dear One -Scarlets/I've Lost – Scarlets/I – Velvets/I Cried – Velvets//My Love Will Never Die – Channels/Bye Bye Baby – Channels/Evening – Rainbows/Oh Gee Oh Gosh – Kodaks/I'm So Happy – Teen Chords/Lydia – Teen Chords
FLP-101 – Buster Brown New King Of The Blues – Buster Brown [1960] Label is white with red printing. FLP-101 in trail off area of LP. Fannie Mae/John Henry/Madison/St. Louis Blues/When Things Go Wrong/Lost In A Dream//Is You Is Or Is You Ain't/Don't Dog Your Woman/Blue Berry Hill/Sincerely/I'm Goin' But I'll Be Back
FLP-102 – Buster Brown New King Of The Blues – Buster Brown [1960] Cover is blue with drawing of Buster Brown, label is red with black printing. FLP-101 in trail off area of LP even though the cover and label say FLP-102. Fannie Mae/John Henry/Madison/St. Louis Blues/When Things Go Wrong/Lost In A Dream//Is You Is Or Is You Ain't/Don't Dog Your Woman/Blue Berry Hill/Sincerely/I'm Goin' But I'll Be Back
FLP-103 – Mean Ol' Frisco – Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup [1960] Label is red with black printing. Mean Ole Frisco/Look On Yonder Wall/That's Alright/Ethel Mae/Too Much Competition/Standing At My Window//Rock Me Mama/Greyhound Bus/Coal Black Mare/Katie Mae/Dig Myself A Hole/So Glad You're Mine
FLP-104 – Mojo Hand – Lightnin' Hopkins [1962] Label is red with black print. Mojo Hand/Coffee For Mama/Awful Dream/Black Mare Trot/Have You Ever Loved A Woman//Glory Bee/Sometimes She Will/Shine On Moon!/Santa
FLP-105 – I Need Your Lovin' – Don Gardner/Dee Dee Ford [1962] Need Your Lovin'/Now It's Too Late/Nobody But You/Make The Girl Love Me/You Said/Tell Me//I Need You/I'm Coming Home To Stay/What A Thrill/Honey Sweet/Don't You Worry
Fury 7" discography
1000 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – I'm So Happy (Tra La La La La La) / Lydia
1001 – The Miracles – Your Love (Is All I Need) / I Love You So
1002 – Hal Paige & The Whalers – Don't Have To Cry No More / Pour The Corn
1003 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – Honey Honey (You Don't Know) / Please Tell The Angels
1004 – Little Bobby Rivera & The Hemlocks – Cora Lee / Joys Of Love
1005 – The Federals – While Our Hearts Are Young / You're The One I Love
1006 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – I'm Not Too Young To Fall In Love / Falling In Love
1007 – The Kodaks With Pearl McKinnon – Teenager's Dream / Little Boy And Girl
1008 – Bobby & Buddy – What's The Word – Thunderbird / I Cried
1009 – The Federals – Dear Loraine / She's My Girl
1010 – The Emotions – Candlelight / It's Love
1011 – The Du Mauriers – All Night Long / Baby I Love You
1012 – The Velvets – Dance Honey Dance / I – I – I (Love You So – So – So)
1013 – The Duals – Wait Up Baby / Forever And Ever
1014 – Sherman & Darts – Remember (It's Only You And I) / Rockin' At Midnight
1015 – The Kodoks Featuring Pearl McKinnion – Oh Gee, Oh Gosh / Make Believe World
1017 – The Southwinds – Build Me A Cabin / They Call Me Crazy
1018 – Curtis Carrington – I'm Gonna Catch You / You Are My Sunshine
1019 – The Kodaks – Kingless Castle / My Baby And Me
1020 – The Kodaks – Run Around Baby / Guardian Angel
1021 – The Channels – My Love Will Never Die / Bye Bye Baby
1022 – The Vibra-Harps – The Only Love Of Mine / Be My Dancing Partner
1023 – Wilbert Harrison – Kansas City / Listen My Darling
1024 – Hal Paige & The Whalers – Going Back To My Home Town / After Hours Blues
1025 – Gino – Catastrophe / Right From The Start
1026 – The 3 Emotions – Night We Met / The Girl I Left Behind
1027 – Wilbert Harrison – Cheating Baby / Don't Wreck My Life
1028 – Wilbert Harrison – 1960 / Goodbye Kansas City
1029 – The Premiers – I Pray / Pigtails Eyes Are Blue
1030 – June Bateman – Believe Me Darling / Come On Little Boy
1031 – Wilbert Harrison – C C Rider / Why Did You Leave
1032 – Clarence "Junior" Lewis – Cupid's Little Helper / Half A Heart
1033 – Gil Hamilton – Much Obliged / Pretty Baby
1034 – The Starlites – Valarie / Way Up In The Sky
1035 – Sammy Myers – You Don't Have To Go / Sad Sad Lonesome Day
1036 – The Scarlets – Truly Yours / East Of The Sun
1037 – Wilbert Harrison – Since I Fell For You / Little School Girl
1038 – Delmar – Depending On You / Lizzie Mae
1039 – Little Junior Lewis – Come On Back Where You Belong / And That's All I Need
1040 – Little Junior – Can She Give Me Fever / Your Heart Must Be Made Of Stone
1041 – Wilbert Harrison – The Horse / Da-De-Ya-Da (Anything For You)
1042 – Helen Bryant – That's A Promise / I've Learned My Lesson
1043 – Riff Ruffin – Hucklebuck Scratch / Dig That Rock & Roll
1044 – Buddy Skipper – The Clock / No More Doggin'
1045 – The Starlites – Ain't Cha' Ever Coming Home / Silver Lining
1046 – Ike Nesbit – I Want You / I'm Lonely
1047 – Wilbert Harrison – Happy In Love / Calypso Dance
1048 – Pearl & The Deltars – Teenage Dream / Dance Dance Dance
1049 – Charles Baker – Love Will Make You / Darling Here You Are
1050 – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Every Beat Of My Heart / Room In Your Heart
1051 – Buddy Skipper – Make Believe Baby / Back On The Beach Again
1052 – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Guess Who / Stop Running Around
1053 – Lee Dorsey – Ya Ya / Give Me You
1054 – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Letter Full Of Tears / You Broke Your Promise
1055 – Wilbert Harrison – Drafted / My Heart Is Yours
1056 – Lee Dorsey – Do-Re-Mi / People Gonna Talk
1057 – Jackie & The Starlites – I Found Out Too Late / I'm Coming Home
1058 – Barry & The Tots – Christmas Each Day Of The Year / I'm A Happy Little Christmas Tree
1059 – Wilbert Harrison – Let's Stick Together / Kansa City Twist
1060 – Little Joe Cook – This I Know / These Lonely Tears
1061 – Lee Dorsey – Eenie Meenie Miny Moe / Behind The 8 Ball
1062 – Buddy Skipper – Don't Be A Shame / Baby Please
1063 – Wilbert Harrison – Let's Stick Together / My Heart Is Yours
1064 – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Operator / I'll Trust In You
1065 – ?
1066 – Lee Dorsey – You Are My Sunshine / Give Me Your Love
1067 – The Pips – Darling / Linda
1068 – Slim & Little Ann – Send Me The Pillow You Dream On / I Love You Because
1069 – Tyron Rowe – Mama Don't Allow / I'm A Go'fer
1070 – Jimmy Ricks – I Wonder / Let Me Down Easy
1071 – The Channels – My Love Will Never Die / Bye Bye Baby
1072 – ?
1073 – Gladys Knight – Come See About / I Want That Kind Of Love
1074 – Lee Dorsey – Hoodlum Joe / When I Met My Baby
5000 – Billy Habric – Human / Talk To Me Baby
5001 – Wilbert Harrison – (If Women Are) Trouble / Let's Have Some Fun
5002 – Willie Hightower – If I Had A Hammer / So Tired
5003 – Man U Huffman – Things Go Better With You / School Boy In Love
5004 – Willie Hightower – Let's Walk Together / I Love You
5005 – Billy Hambrick – You're A Sweetheart / Flaming Mamie
5006 – Billy Hambre – This Is My Prayer / Everybody Needs Love
5050 – Johnny Jones – Tennessee Waltz / I Find No Fault
5051 – Ricky Lewis – Cupis / Somebody's Gonna Want Me
5052 – Joe Haywood – Ghost Of A Love / Debt Of Love
Fury LP discography
FULP-1001 – Letter Full Of Tears – Gladys Knight & Pips [Unissued?] The trail off wax of FULP-1003 also has FLP-1001 which is scratched out. This would indicate that the Gladys Knight album was intended to be Fury 1001.
FULP-1002 – Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey [1962] Yellow label with black printing. Ya Ya/Give Me You/Do-Re-Me/People Gonna Talk/Chin Chin/Mess Around//Eenie Meenie Mini Mo/One And One/Yum Yum/Ixie Dixie Pixie Pie/Behind The Eight-Ball
FULP-1003 – Letter Full Of Tears – Gladys Knight & Pips [1962] The label is yellow with black printing. Trail off wax contains FU-LP-1003 and FLP 1001 which is scratched out. Letter Full Of Tears/You Broke Your Promise/Operator/I'll Trust In You/Morning Noon And Night/I Can't Stand By//Every Beat Of My Heart/Room In Your Heart/Guess Who/Stop Running Around/What Shall I Do?
Enjoy 7" discography
1000 – King Curtis – Soul Twist / Twisting Time
1001 – King Curtis – Wobble Twist / Twisting With The King
2015 – Elmore James – It Hurts Me Too / Pickin' The Blues
2016 – Joe Haywood – When You Look In The Mirror (You're Looking At The One You Love) / Talk To Me Baby (Put Some Sugar In My Ear)
2017 – Jay Dee Bryant – You're Hurting Me / Get It
2018 – Riff Ruffin – Home Cookin / Hot Waffles
2019 – Willie Hightower – Too Late / What Am I Living For
2020 – Elmore James – Mean Mistreatin' Mama / Bleeding Heart
2021 – Bobby Porter – Foxy Devil / Searching For Love
2022 – Elmore James – Look On Yonder Wall / Shake Your Moneymaker
2023 – Sammy Taylor – Ain't That Some Shame / Next In Line
2024 – Les Cooper – Owee Baby / Let's Do The Boston Monkey
2025 – Ster-Phonics – Roamin' Heart
2026 – ?
2027 – Elmore James – Dust My Broom / Everyday I Have The Blues
2028 – Sammy Taylor – Don't Lie / Your Precious Love
5000 – Rocky O'Neal – Here I Go / Where Am I Going Wrong
5001 – Ricky Lewis – Welcome Home / Somebody's Gonna Want Me
5050 – Ricky Lewis – Cupid / Somebody's Gonna Want Me
6009 – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five / Super Rappin' No. 2 / Super Rappin' Theme
6016 – Treacherous Three / Feel The Heartbeat (Have Fun)
Enjoy label – 12" Discography
EN-6002 – Spoonie Gee & Treacherous Three, The* – Love Rap / The New Rap Language (12")
ER-6011 – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – Super Rappin' No.2 (12", RP)
6000 – Funky Four Plus One More – Rappin' And Rocking The House (12")
6001 – Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five* – Superappin' (12")
ER-6002 – Spoonie Gee & Treacherous Three, The* – The New Rap Language / Love Rap (12")
ER-6006 – Kool Kyle The Starchild – Do You Like That Funky Beat (Ahh Beat Beat) (12")
ER-6007 – Treacherous Three, The* – The Body Rock (12")
ER-6008 – Treacherous Three, The* – At The Party (12")
ER-6010 – Disco Four, The* – Move To The Groove (12")
ER-6011 – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – Super Rappin' No.2 (12")
ER-6012 – Doctor Ice (2) – Calling Doctor Ice (12")
ER-6013 – Treacherous Three – Feel The Heartbeat (12")
ER-6014 – Kool Kyle (The Starchild)* – It's Rockin Time (12")
ER-6017 – Disco Four – Do It, Do It (12")
ER-6018 – Treacherous Three, The* – Put The Boogie In Your Body (12")
ER-6021 – Midnight Blue – Enjoy With Me (12")
ER-6022 – Spanish Fly & The Terrible Two – Spanglish (12")
ER-6023 – Higher Ground (2) – Shake 'Em Up (12")
ER-6023 – Higher Ground (2) – Shake 'Em Up (12")
EN-1163 – Packman, The – I'm The Packman (Eat Everything I Can) (12")
EN-1163 / EN-1164 – Packman, The – I'm The Packman (Eat Everything I Can) (12", Promo)
EN-6032 – Masterdon Committee, The – Funk Box Party (12")
ER-6024 – Fearless Four, The – It's Magic (12")
ER-6024 – Fearless Four, The – It's Magic (12", RE)
ER-6025 – Silver Star – Eei Eei O (12")
ER-6026 – Disco Four – Country Rock And Rap (12")
ER-6028 – Fearless Four, The – Rockin' It (12")
ER-6029 – Masterdon Committee, The – Gonna' Get You Hot (12")
ER-6029 – Masterdon Committee, The – Gonna' Get You Hot (12", Promo)
ER-6031 – Packman, The – I'm The Packman (Eat Everything I Can) (12")
ER-6032 – Masterdon Committee, The – Funkbox Party (Live) (12")
EN-6033 – Masterdon Committee, The – Musicgram (12")
EN-6035 – Doug E. Fresh – Just Having Fun (Do The Beat Box) (12", Promo)
ER-6034 – Source, The (2) – The Ghetto (12")
ER-6035 – Doug E. Fresh – Just Having Fun (Do The Beat Box) (12")
EN-6036 – Spoonie Gee – New Love Rap (12")
EN-6037 – Crazy Eddie (3) & Jazaq – Come On Party People (Lets Ge Down) (12")
EN-6038 – New York City Trooper – Here We Go (12")
EN-6039 – Ninga – Crack Attack (12")
EN-6040 – DLB (The Microphone Wizard)* – Magic (12")
EN-6044 – Masterdon – I Paid The Cost To Be The Boss (12")
ER-6041 – Deuce II, The – Are You Ready (For The Big Throwdown) (12")
Enjoy LP discography
ENLP-2001 – Soul Twist – King Curtis [1962] Label is gold with blue printing. Soul Twist/Twisting Time/What'd I Say/I Know/Sack O' Woe Twist/Camp Meetin'//Wobble Twist/Irresistible You/Big Dipper/Twisting With The King/Midnight Blue
Everlast LP discography
ELP-201 – Our Best To You – Various Artists [1960] Label is orange with black printing. Deserie – Charts/Zoop – Charts/Why Do You Cry – Charts/Dance Girl – Charts/You're The Reason – Charts/I've Been Wondering – Charts//I Want To Know – Ladders/Counting The Stars – Ladders /My Love Has Gone – Ladders /Lorraine – Harmonaires/Come Back – Harmonaires/Baby – Bop-Chords
ELP-202 – Wiggle Wobble – Les Cooper and the Soul Rockers [1963] Label is white and orange with black printing. Popeye Dance/Wiggle Wobble No. 2/Jungle Pony/Dig Yourself/Shimmy Rock/Wiggle Wobble//The Monkey/Hippity Hop/Wobble Party/Twistin' One More Time/Bossa Nova Dance/At The Party
Front Page 7" discography
1000 – Joe Haywood – I'm Walkin' / Strong Feelin'
1001 – The Victones – I Need You So / My Baby Changes
1002 – Jim And Lee – Adam And Eve / I'll Never Change
1003 – Joe Haywood – I Cross My Heart And Hope To Die / In Your Heart You Know I Love You
2301 – Lee Moses – Time And Place / I Can't Take No Chances
2302 – The Victones- Somebody Really Loves You / Two Sides To Love