DETROIT RECORD LABELS Part 1

Anna was owned by Billy Davis and Gwen Gordy, sister of Berry and Anna Gordy. In operation from 1959 to early 1961. The label was distributed by Chess Records except the first two issues (distributed by Gone Records). Anna Records was sold to Berry Gordy in April 1961.

Blaze was a subsidiary of the Prodigal label. Only one record was released!

Check-Mate was a subsidiary of the Chicago-based Chess label. When Anna was bought by Berry Gordy in April 1961, Gwen Gordy and Billy Davis continued to sell Anna's master tapes to Chess. Check-Mate was started to release Detroit- area artists, and a number of Anna masters were released on Check-Mate during 1961 and 1962.

Golden World was owned by Ed Wingate and Joanne Bratton. Golden World operated from 1962 to 1968. The label and its subsidiaries were purchased by Berry Gordy in 1968.

H.P.C. was a subsidiary of the Harvey label and owned by Harvey Fuqua & Gwen Gordy. H.P.C. stands for Hardye Producing Company. It operated only 1960 and was purchased by Berry Gordy 1963.

The Harvey label was owned by Harvey Fuqua and Gwen Gordy Fuqua. It operated from 1961 through early 1963, when it was purchased by Berry Gordy.

Hot Wax was the first label started by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland after leaving Motown. The label was first distributed by Buddah Records. CBS Records distributed the last three issues. Hot Wax was in operation during 1969 - 1977. The number sequence is a bit odd. The first two digits tell what year the record was released.

The Impact label was owned by Harry Balk, John Rhys and Barney "Duke" Browner. It was in operation for three years, 1965 - 1967. Berry Gordy bought out Impact in 1968.

The Inferno label was owned by Harry Balk, John Rhys and Barney "Duke" Browner. It was in operation for two years, 1967 and 1968. Berry Gordy bought out Inferno in 1968.

Invictus was the second label started by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland after leaving Motown. The label was first distributed by Capitol Records. CBS Records distributed the 1200 series. Invictus was in operation from 1969 to 1977.

Maltese was a subsidiary to Golden World and owned by Ed Wingate. Maltese operated from 1966 to early 1967. The label was purchased by Berry Gordy in 1968.

After Invictus and Hot Wax, Music Merchant was the third label started by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland after leaving Motown. The label was distributed by Buddah Records and in operation during 1972 - 1973.

Prodigal was a Detroit label owned by Barney Ales. It was started 1974 and was discontinued in June 1979. Catalog numbers 0611 - 0620 were pre-Motown releases. Numbers 0621 onwards were manufactured and distributed by Motown.

The label name Rayber derives from Berry Gordy's second wife, RAYnoma Liles and from BERry Gordy himself. This record was the second to be published by Jobete, Motown's music publishing company, named after Berry Gordy's first three children: Hazel JOy, BErry IV and TErry. Only one single released.

Ric-Tic was owned by Ed Wingate and was purchased by Berry Gordy 1968 together with Golden World and Wingate.

Stephanye was owned by Gene Redd and probably Ed Wingate. Stephanye was the name of Gene Redd's daughter. The label operated only 1966 and was purchased by Motown 1968.

Tri-Phi was owned by Harvey Fuqua and Gwen Gordy Fuqua. The label started in early 1961 and was purchased by Berry Gordy 1963.

Wingate was a subsidiary of Golden World, and was in operation from early 1965 until early 1967. The label was owned by Ed Wingate but was purchased by Berry Gordy 1968.