Speed Label
Speed Label is an independent record label associated with the Ohio psychedelic and hard-rock band Morly Grey.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Speed Label is an independent American record label established in 1969 in Alliance, Ohio, primarily to issue recordings by Morly Grey. The label emerged from the activities of Paul Cassidy, Randy Byron, and brothers Mark and Tim Roller, who were connected with the band and its early recordings. Its first release was the 45 rpm single “Yas” backed with “Sleepy Softness,” a small-scale local issue that later became part of Morly Grey’s archival discography. The label’s central project was Morly Grey’s first album. The record was initially associated with the title “The First Supper,” but the album was ultimately issued as The Only Truth through the band’s relationship with the unpublished or limited Starshine Records operation. Floyd Philips, identified as Morly Grey’s manager, was involved in the distribution arrangement, while the band produced and self-published its recordings. This arrangement reflects the label’s original role as a vehicle for artist-controlled releases rather than as a conventional, broadly distributed commercial record company. Speed Label also appeared in connection with the 1973 LP The Roller Bros. Band, released through the subsidiary vanity imprint RBB Records. The label’s early output achieved only modest contemporary circulation, but The Only Truth acquired a longer afterlife through bootleg editions issued by different labels in several countries. That later collector interest helped preserve the Speed Label and Morly Grey catalog, despite the company’s limited initial commercial reach. In 2005, Morly Grey revived and reorganized the original Speed Label. The reorganization was based in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Rick Cassidy, the brother of Paul Cassidy. The surviving Roller brothers remained in Alliance, Ohio, and Rick Cassidy also operated Morly Grey Publishing, an ASCAP-affiliated publishing business. The revival brought the catalog back into circulation, including a CD edition of The Only Truth and a CD single containing “The First Supper” material, identified as “Be Your King” and “I’ll Space You.” Speed Label’s later strategy centered on archival restoration rather than a broad roster of contemporary artists. In 2009, the label negotiated an exclusive arrangement with Sundazed Music to remaster and reissue The Only Truth with previously unreleased bonus tracks. At around the same time, it was preparing unreleased material for possible future releases, including live recordings from 1973 and studio recordings made during a 1995–1997 reunion period. The label is therefore best understood as a boutique catalog and artist imprint devoted chiefly to documenting and redistributing Morly Grey’s recordings.
History
Speed Label was formed in 1969 in Alliance, Ohio, as an artist-centered imprint associated with Morly Grey. The label’s founding group comprised Paul Cassidy, Randy Byron, and brothers Mark and Tim Roller. Its first release was the 45 rpm single “Yas/Sleepy Softness,” which introduced the label’s small but enduring catalog. The label’s principal early undertaking was Morly Grey’s first album. The project was initially referred to as The First Supper, but the completed album became known as The Only Truth. In 1972, distribution was arranged through Starshine Records, an operation connected to Morly Grey’s manager Floyd Philips. The band produced and self-published the material, making Speed Label part of a largely independent production and distribution network rather than a conventional major-label structure. In 1973, the related LP The Roller Bros. Band was issued through the vanity subsidiary RBB Records. Although Speed Label’s releases had limited initial commercial success, The Only Truth remained visible through unauthorized or bootleg editions distributed by labels in several countries over the following decades. This circulation helped create collector and archival interest in Morly Grey’s work. The label’s later identity was consequently shaped less by a large active roster than by stewardship of a historically unusual regional rock catalog. In 2005, the original Speed Label was revived and reorganized in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Rick Cassidy, Paul Cassidy’s brother. Mark and Tim Roller remained in Alliance, Ohio. Rick Cassidy also operated Morly Grey Publishing, an ASCAP publishing entity associated with the band’s compositions. The revival produced a CD edition of The Only Truth and a CD single presenting recordings linked to The First Supper. These releases represented an effort to establish an authorized version of material that had previously circulated unevenly. The archival program expanded in 2009, when Speed Label negotiated an exclusive contract with Sundazed Music for the remastering and reissue of The Only Truth. The planned edition was to include previously unreleased bonus tracks. The label also reported work on other unreleased recordings, including RAW live recordings and a live music-video project from 1973, as well as Reunion studio recordings made between 1995 and 1997. The available record does not establish the eventual publication status of all of these projects. Speed Label is therefore best characterized as a boutique independent record imprint whose historical and current significance rests almost entirely on Morly Grey. Its activities span original regional releases, artist-controlled publishing, catalog restoration, and partnerships for specialist reissues. The label’s known history illustrates how a small self-publishing imprint can preserve a band’s work across multiple decades through reissues and archival projects.
- 2009
Sundazed Music reissue arrangement is negotiated
[1]Speed Label negotiates remastering and reissue of The Only Truth with previously unreleased bonus material.
- 2005
Speed Label is reorganized in Las Vegas
[1]Rick Cassidy reorganizes the label and begins a renewed Morly Grey catalog program.
- 1973
The Roller Bros. Band is issued
[1]The Roller Bros. Band LP is released through RBB Records, a related vanity imprint.
- 1972
The Only Truth is distributed through Starshine Records
[1]The band’s first album is distributed through an arrangement involving Starshine Records and manager Floyd Philips.
- 1969
Speed Label is established in Alliance, Ohio
[1]Paul Cassidy, Randy Byron, Mark Roller, and Tim Roller establish the imprint in connection with Morly Grey.
- 1969
First single is released
[1]The label issues Morly Grey’s “Yas/Sleepy Softness” on a 45 rpm single.
Products and positioning
A boutique, artist-controlled record label and archival imprint focused on Morly Grey’s psychedelic and hard-rock recordings, including historical reissues and unreleased material.
45 rpm single · 1969
Yas/Sleepy Softness
Speed Label’s first documented release, a Morly Grey single pairing “Yas” with “Sleepy Softness.” Issued in 1969, it represents the label’s original role as a self-directed outlet for the band’s early recordings.
Album · 1972
The Only Truth
Morly Grey’s first album, originally associated with the title The First Supper. The album was distributed through the Starshine Records arrangement in the early 1970s and later became Speed Label’s principal archival property, receiving an authorized CD edition and a planned Sundazed remaster with bonus tracks.
LP album · 1973
The Roller Bros. Band
A 1973 Morly Grey-related LP issued through the RBB Records vanity imprint in association with Speed Label. It forms part of the label’s early regional catalog.
CD single · 2008
The First Supper CD single
A 2008 CD single presenting “Be Your King” and “I’ll Space You,” material connected with the earlier album project known as The First Supper.
Live recordings and live music video · 1973
RAW
An unreleased archival project comprising Morly Grey live recordings and a live music-video document from 1973. The available source describes the material as being prepared for possible future release.
Studio recordings · 1995
Reunion
Unreleased studio recordings made during a Morly Grey reunion period between 1995 and 1997 and identified as potential future archival material.
Brand decisions
2009
Commission a remastered edition of The Only TruthOtherBackground
The album had accumulated international collector interest through earlier editions and bootlegs.
Action taken
Speed Label negotiated an exclusive agreement with Sundazed Music to remaster and reissue the album with previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Aftermath
The label also reported work on additional unreleased material for possible future releases; the source does not confirm the final publication of every planned project.
2005
Reorganize and revive the original imprintStrategyBackground
After decades in which Morly Grey recordings circulated partly through bootleg editions, the label sought to restore an authorized home for the catalog.
Action taken
Speed Label was reorganized in Las Vegas under Rick Cassidy, with renewed releases of Morly Grey material.
Aftermath
The revival led to a CD edition of The Only Truth and further archival releases, although the source does not provide sales or distribution figures.
Recent events
- 2009
Speed Label negotiates Sundazed Music reissue agreement[1]
M&A · Product generation
The label negotiated an exclusive arrangement with Sundazed Music to remaster and reissue The Only Truth with previously unreleased bonus tracks.
- 2008
The First Supper material appears as a CD single[1]
Product launch
Speed Label released a CD single containing “Be Your King” and “I’ll Space You,” identified with the earlier The First Supper project.
- 2005
Morly Grey catalog is revived under a reorganized Speed Label[1]
Product generation
Speed Label was reorganized in Las Vegas under Rick Cassidy, accompanying a renewed effort to circulate Morly Grey recordings.
- 2005
The Only Truth receives a CD release[1]
Product launch
A CD edition of Morly Grey’s The Only Truth was issued as part of the label’s catalog revival.
- 1972
The Only Truth enters the label’s early album history[1]
Product launch
Speed Label and its associated Starshine Records arrangement were used to distribute Morly Grey’s first album, later known as The Only Truth.
- 1969
Speed Label issues its first 45 rpm single[1]
Product launch
The newly established imprint released Morly Grey’s “Yas” backed with “Sleepy Softness,” marking the label’s first documented release.
Sources1 sources
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