Sonja Records was a Los Angeles-based record label founded by musician Ike Turner in 1963.[1] Turner set up the label to release singles from the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, which included his then wife, R&B singer Tina Turner, as well as other artists he was producing. Tina Turner's first record as a solo artist was released on Sonja Records in 1964.
While Sonja Records may not have achieved the same level of commercial success as some major record labels of the time, it played a role in Ike Turner's career and allowed him to release his music independently. Ike Turner is also known for his work with Tina Turner and their iconic performances as a duo, but their biggest hits together came later when they were signed to different record labels.[2]
In the Northeast, Sonja was distributed by Superior Record Sales Company, Inc. in New York, and Schwartz Brothers Inc. in the Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia markets. In the Midwest, Concord Record Sales in Cleveland and All State Record Distributing Company in Chicago. On the West Coast, California Records in Los Angeles.[1]