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5 unusual facts about Art Rupe


Bessie Griffin

After moving to Los Angeles she was signed in 1956 by Art Rupe of Specialty Records.

Don and Dewey

Later that year they were signed by Art Rupe's Specialty Records label and for the next two years produced rock and roll.

Lloyd Price

When Art Rupe of Specialty Records came to New Orleans scouting for talent and heard Price's song, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", he wanted to record it.

Rupe

Art Rupe (born 1917), the founder of the record label Specialty Records

Wynona Carr

Being tipped by The Pilgrim Travelers, who shared a bill with Carr in the late 1940s, Art Rupe signed her to his Specialty label, giving Carr her new stage name "Sister" Wynona Carr (modelled after pioneering gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and cutting some twenty sides with her from 1949 to 1954, including a couple of duets with Specialty's biggest gospel star at the time, Brother Joe May.



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