Atlantic Records Story
…radio show

The Rock’n’Roll Unravelled Show, with a look Atlantic Records. It started in 1947 and was a pioneer for R&B and doo wop in the 1950s, soul music in the 1960s and rock in the 1970s – Atlantic Records Story radio show.

First broadcast
…..1 February 2021
on Access North West

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Atlantic Records Story radio show

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Atlantic Records Story radio show

Atlantic Records Story

In this Rock’n’Roll Unravelled Show, we’re taking a look at one of the truly pioneering record labels – Atlantic Records.

The label was established in 1947 by Ahmet Ertehun and Herb Abramson.

In the 1950s Atlantic was well known for its R&B, doo wop and jazz artists. R&B singer Ruth Brown was one of the first to find success at the label. Indeed, Atlantic Records became known as, “the house that Ruth Built.

Many of the artists who started out in R&B and doo wop transitioned to soul music in the 1960s. The Drifters were formed by Clyde McPhatter when he signed to Atlantic in May 1953. Their debut single, Money Honey stayed at #1 on the R&B charts for 11 weeks.
The Drifters were one of the most successful Atlantic vocal groups to embrace 1960s soul music. Ahmet Ertegun called them, “the all-time greatest Atlantic group”.

In the mid-1960s rock music emerged on both sides of the Atlantic. The 1950s/’60s R&B and soul artists and groups scored the majority of their hits on the R&B charts. The new rock bands had their roots in R&B but mostly charted on the mainsteam pop charts.

Atlantic Records has continued its success story to the modern day.

PLAYLIST
Atlantic Records Story radio show

1 The Coasters – Yakety Yak
2 Ray Charles – What’d I Say Part 1
3 The Top Notes – Twist and Shout
4 The Drifters – Sweets for My Sweet
5 Sam & Dave – Soul Man
6 Wilson Picket – In the Midnight Hour
7 The Young Rascals – I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
8 Emerson Lake & Palmer – Lucky Man

ROCK’N’ROLL UNRAVELLED SHOW

How rock’n’roll came about, it’s transition into rock music in the mid-1960s and the array of rock genres which followed in the late 1960s and ‘70s.

Blues, R&B, rock’n’roll, rock, prog, folk rock, country rock, psychedelia, glam, early metal, punk, new wave +++… will all find their way into the shows. Plus artists and bands, some well known and others who are more on the cult side. Stories behind classic singles and albums, record labels, venues, gigs… Not forgetting the people behind the scenes: producers, managers, promoters, writers, Svengalis – the people who made it all happen.

If it’s relevant to the music of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, I’ll be talking about it.
All this and great music, although, some you’ll recognise and some you might well be hearing for the first time.

COMPETITION
Win a copy of
Rock’n’Roll Unravelled

For this month’s question and
TO ENTER the competition…

The names go into a hat and the lucky winner selected at random.
I’ll post the book to the lucky winner
anywhere in the world…

Rock’n’Roll Unravelled – THE BOOK

Derek Shelmerdine, author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled.

In its unique three-part format
Timeline + What Happened Today? + Pocket Histories
Rock’n’Roll Unravelled tells the story of rock’n’roll from its roots to mid-1970s punk.

Not just the story of the music but also the social events which shaped it. The Vietnam War, Civil Rights struggle and so many other factors because they had such an influence on the music of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.

Record Collector magazine review
“Shelmerdine has made a painstaking effort to document pretty much every event that would prove significant in shaping popular music … a comprehensive guide… invaluable.”

TO BUY the book Rock’n’Roll Unravelled

RADIO APPEARANCES

Atlantic Records Story radio show

First broadcast on Access North West 1 February 2021

For all Derek Shelmerdine‘s Rock’n’Roll Unravelled Shows.
…..and appearances on all radio stations.

Atlantic Records Story radio show

A look at one of the all-time great record labels…