Essex Records
Essex Records was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1951 by David Miller primarily to record contemporary country and western, rhythm and blues as well as jazz and gospel. Jack Howard was the promotion manager. The label had little popular success, but is known for releasing early Bill Haley & His Comets recordings such as "Rock the Joint" (1952) and "Crazy Man Crazy", the latter of which was the first rock and roll recording to make the American record charts when it was released in 1953.
Essex Records
label scan · Public domain
- Name
- Essex Records
- Founded
- 1951
- Headquarters
- Philadelphia
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Essex Records was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1951 by David Miller primarily to record contemporary country and western, rhythm and blues as well as jazz and gospel. Jack Howard was the promotion manager. The label had little popular success, but is known for releasing early Bill Haley & His Comets recordings such as "Rock the Joint" (1952) and "Crazy Man Crazy", the latter of which was the first rock and roll recording to make the American record charts when it was released in 1953.
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wikidata · Q5399774 · wikipedia · Essex Records
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Overview
Overview
The label also scored success in 1954 with Eddie Calvert's recording of "O mein Papa". The label also released the first 12-inch album of rock and roll music with its 1954 Haley compilation Rock with Bill Haley and the Comets. Haley's first big hit, "Crazy Man, Crazy" was followed by two other chart hits, "Fractured", and "Live It Up". In 1954, Haley left Essex for Decca Records. The primary female vocalist on the label was Bunny Paul, who scored hits in 1954 with "Such a Night" and "Honey Love". The colour of the Essex label was primarily orange with the print in black, but several singles were released on a blue label.
Rock the Joint by Bill Haley with The Saddlemen, Essex 1952.
label scan
Rock the Joint and Rockin Chair on the Moon by Bill Haley, Essex 1954. EP title: Bill Haley's Dance Party.
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Essex Records • Founded — 1951 • Founder — David Miller • Status — Defunct • Genre — Jazz, gospel, country, R&B, rock • Country — U.S. • Location — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Illustration — Bill Haley & His Comets
Institutional history
Dated record
Institutional history
Explore 1951
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1951
Essex Records established.
1951
Essex Records is recorded from 1951.
1951
Essex Records was established or created in 1951.
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- United States
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Essex Records is associated with United States.
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authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5399774: Essex Records
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reference work
- “Essex Records”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
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Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Dawson, Jim. Rock Around the Clock. Backbeat Books. 46–56. 2005. 0-87930-829-X.
- 2.BUNNY PAUL. www.rockabilly.nl.
- 3.Essex Album Discography.
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The circumstances in which Essex Records stands. Records has its headquarters at Philadelphia. Established or created in 1951. Situated in United States. Recorded as record label.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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