Parent company Warner Music Group Status Defunct Genre Various Founder Bob Keane Ceased operations 2003 | Defunct 2003 (2003) Distributor(s) Self-distributed Country of origin U.S. Founded 1958 | |
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Artists Ritchie Valens, Bobby Fuller, The Lively Ones, Chan Romero, The Sentinals Albums Ritchie Valens In Concert a, International Pop Overthrow, Ritchie | ||
Bobby curtola three rows over del fi records 4223 1963
Del-Fi Records was an American record label based in Hollywood, California and owned by Bob Keane. The label's first single released was "Caravan" by Henri Rose released in 1958; however, the label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. Valens' first single for the label was "Come On Let's Go", which was a hit. His next single, "Donna"/"La Bamba", was an even bigger big hit, and brought notability to the label. Johnny Crawford, the co-star of the television series The Rifleman, was the Del-Fi artist who recorded the most hit singles. Del-Fi ceased operating in 1974.
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Sister labels
Stereo-Fi Records and Donna Records were soon started as sister labels by Keane. Donna records was started in 1959, named after Ritchie Valens' hit of the same name. By 1965, Bob Keane felt the Del-Fi and Donna labels were aging, so the Mustang Records and Bronco Records labels were started in their place, capitalizing on their new, exciting themes. The Mustang label achieved fame through the Bobby Fuller Four (previously on the Donna label), producing their biggest hit, "I Fought the Law" in 1965. Their fame continued into 1966 ran with assistance from Barry White; however, Bobby's death later that year brought a halt to the label, and Mustang closed down in 1967.
Legacy
Del-Fi was briefly revived in 1987 for 7" and 12" releases of "La Bamba '87" featuring new remixes of the Richie Valens classic, capitalizing on the success of the film, "La Bamba." Keane again resurrected the Del-Fi label in 1995 and reissued many original recordings on CD (some under the Donna label), and signed some new acts to the label as well. In September of 2003, Bob Keane sold the Del-Fi and its subsidiaries to the Warner Music Group. Today, it is now running under Rhino Entertainment and reissues some of its older material.
Various artist compilations
In 1999, the label released Del-Fi Girl Groups: Gee Baby Gee. It featured 21 vintage tracks from the Del-Fi label. They were by girl groups and singers such as The Ladybugs, Brenda Holloway, Pippy Shannon, Lori Martin, Pierre And Anne-Lyse, Desda, Mary Sawrey, and 7 tracks by The Sisters, a group that featured Ersi Arvizu.