Crimson Records

Crimson Records was an American independent record label founded by Jerry Greene in the early 1960s. It operated as a sister label to Lost Nite Records, a company associated with the collection and reissue of older and difficult-to-find recordings. Crimson focused on material from the doo-wop and rhythm-and-blues traditions, serving a specialist audience interested in records that were often unavailable through larger contemporary labels. Disc jockey Jerry Blavat was a co-owner of Crimson Records until the late 1960s. His involvement connected the label with the visibility and promotional influence of radio and live music culture, although the available reference material does not provide a complete account of the ownership structure, distribution arrangements, or the precise date on which his participation ended. The label’s documented catalogue was small. During its existence, Crimson issued two albums and approximately 18 singles. Its best-known release was “Expressway to Your Heart” by The Soul Survivors. The label also issued additional Soul Survivors recordings, including “Explosion (In My Soul)” backed with “Dathon’s Theme” and “Impossible Mission (Mission Impossible).” Other documented releases included “I Need Your Love” backed with “Not My Baby” by The Masters, a group associated with John Oates. Crimson’s catalogue illustrates the role of small independent labels in preserving and circulating regional, archival, and collector-oriented music. Rather than competing with major labels through a broad contemporary roster, it concentrated on a narrow but historically valuable repertoire. Its relationship with Lost Nite Records placed it within a wider independent-label ecosystem devoted to reissues and hard-to-find recordings. The label is no longer presented as an active operation in the available reference material, and there is no reliable information here about a successor company, catalogue ownership, or current commercial activity.

Crimson Records emerged in the early 1960s as an American independent reissue label established by Jerry Greene. Its work was closely related to the specialist record-collecting culture surrounding Lost Nite Records, which was identified as a sister label. The label’s purpose was not to develop a large roster of newly signed mainstream artists, but to make rare and difficult-to-find doo-wop and rhythm-and-blues recordings available to listeners and collectors. The label also had a connection to broadcast and popular-music personality Jerry Blavat, who was a co-owner until the late 1960s. The available historical account does not specify the full ownership arrangement or explain the circumstances of his departure. Nevertheless, his role indicates that Crimson operated within a network linking independent record production, radio exposure, disc jockey culture, and the revival of earlier popular music. Crimson maintained a relatively small catalogue. Its documented output consisted of two LPs and approximately 18 singles. One of its principal successes was “Expressway to Your Heart” by The Soul Survivors. The label subsequently issued other recordings by the group, including “Explosion (In My Soul)” with “Dathon’s Theme” and “Impossible Mission (Mission Impossible).” Its documented catalogue also included “I Need Your Love” backed with “Not My Baby” by The Masters, a release associated with John Oates. The album catalogue included Jerry Blavat Presents Guess What?, a various-artists LP issued in December 1966, and When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes by The Soul Survivors, issued in November 1967. These releases show the label’s combination of personality-led compilation material and artist-focused releases. The singles used catalogue numbers in the 1000 series, while the albums used LP-501 and LP-502. Crimson’s historical importance lies in its contribution to the circulation and preservation of music that might otherwise have remained obscure or unavailable. Its catalogue was modest compared with that of major record companies, but its specialization reflected the importance of independent labels in maintaining regional and collector-oriented musical traditions. The supplied reference material does not establish an exact closure date, a later corporate successor, or the present ownership of the recordings. The label is therefore treated as defunct based on the historical description of its activity rather than on a documented formal dissolution event.

• 1967

  Release of When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes

  [1]Crimson Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Soul Survivors album When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes is issued as LP-502 in November 1967.

• 1966

  Release of Jerry Blavat Presents Guess What?

  [1]Crimson Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Crimson issues the various-artists album Jerry Blavat Presents Guess What? as LP-501 in December 1966.

• Crimson Records is founded

  [1]Crimson Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Jerry Greene establishes Crimson Records as an American independent reissue label in the early 1960s.

• Jerry Blavat becomes a co-owner

  [1]Crimson Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Disc jockey Jerry Blavat participates in ownership of the label until the late 1960s.

A specialist independent label focused on rare, hard-to-find, and archival doo-wop and rhythm-and-blues recordings.

• Album · 1966

  Jerry Blavat Presents Guess What?

  A various-artists LP presented under Jerry Blavat’s name and issued by Crimson Records as catalogue number LP-501 in December 1966. It represents the label’s use of compilation-style album programming alongside its individual singles and artist releases.

• Album · 1967

  When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes

  An album by The Soul Survivors released by Crimson Records as LP-502 in November 1967. It is one of the two documented LPs in the label’s catalogue and reflects Crimson’s association with rhythm-and-blues-oriented releases.

• Single

  Expressway to Your Heart

  A single by The Soul Survivors and the most popular release associated with Crimson Records in the available reference material. The release is identified as part of the label’s early catalogue, although a specific issue year is not provided.

• Single

  Explosion (In My Soul) / Dathon's Theme

  A Crimson Records single by The Soul Survivors pairing “Explosion (In My Soul)” with “Dathon’s Theme.” It is one of several documented Soul Survivors releases issued through the label.

• Single

  Impossible Mission (Mission Impossible)

  A documented single by The Soul Survivors released through Crimson Records. The reference material lists the title but does not provide a release date or additional production information.

• Single

  I Need Your Love / Not My Baby

  A Crimson Records single credited to The Masters, with “I Need Your Love” and “Not My Baby” as the paired tracks. The release is noted in connection with John Oates, but the available material does not specify the recording or release chronology.

1. 1Crimson Recordsen.wikipedia.org