Episode #838 – Imperial Records, Pt. 11 – 1957-58

Episode #838 – Imperial Records, Pt. 11 – 1957-58

From Juke In The Back by Matt The Cat

May 24, 2026 · 59 min

About this episode

This episode concludes the Imperial Records series, focusing on the label's R&B releases from late 1957 to early 1958.

Air Week: May 25-31, 2026 Imperial Records, Pt. 11 – 1957-58 Imperial Records was a major player among the indie labels of the late 1940s and the entirety of the 1950s. Started in Los Angeles in 1946 by Lew Chudd, a Canadian raised in Harlem, Imperial began filling the ethnic and cultural voids left by the majors at the time. Chudd knew there was a large market for Latino Music in America, so he headed to Mexico City and recorded some Mexican jump bands that sold very well. He then included square dance records which also racked up sales as now square dances could be held without callers. He began recording Rhythm & Blues in 1947 and by ’49, he had hired Dave Bartholomew to scout talent in fertile New Orleans. The Braun Brother had beat him to The Crescent City by recording Paul Gayten and Annie Laurie first, but with Bartholomew’s help, Chudd was able to sign Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Archibald and Jewel King, dominating the New Orleans R&B scene. This week, we conclude our Imperial series with part eleven, focusing on Imperial’s R&B releases from the end of 1957 and the beginning of 1958. There’s a new hit-maker in town as Imperial…

People in this episode

Host: Matt The Cat

Topics covered

  • Imperial Records
  • Rhythm & Blues
  • Rockabilly
  • music history
  • 1950s music

Keywords

  • Imperial Records
  • R&B
  • Fats Domino
  • Ricky Nelson
  • 1950s music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Imperial Records

Places: Los Angeles, Mexico City

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