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IMPERIAL RECORDS

Started in 1946 by Lew Chudd and concentrating on local Mexican groups and ethnic folk artists. It produced a number of 10-inch LPs, which for a time was very popular in the Southwest. In late August/early September of 1947, Lew Chudd started a popular record series consisting of rhythm and blues/jazz recordings. By 1949, he was tapping into the rhythm and blues artists of New Orleans, which was largely ignored by the major record companies. He was the first to sign Antoine ("Fats" Domino) Dominique, a 22 year old piano player who sang with a Creole accent. In addition to "Fats", Imperial recorded T-Bone Walker, Smiley Lewis, Lil' Son Jackson. Most of these recordings were made in New Orleans, with the Dave Bartholomew band as accompaniment. Bartholomew served as the Artists & Repertoire (A & R) man for Imperial (Chudd), and was the arranger for many of the sessions. Bartholomew's band was popular in New Orleans at the time, and had two albums under his own name on the label.

In 1957, he signed, the young Ricky Nelson, who many at the time believed would over take Elvis Presley.

In 1958, Imperial was one of the first labels to issue stereo albums. They used a disctinctive black stereo label for those issues until the label was sold.

In 1960, Lew Chudd bought Aladdin Records catalog and reissued many of the masters on Imperial. Then in 1963 Minit Records of New Orleans was acquired from Joe Banashak. Imperial was the distributor for Minit from 1961, and with the acquisition of Minit, Imperial obtained the contracts of Irma Thomas, with that incredible voice, and Ernie K-Doe. Later in 1963, Imperial lost "Fats" Domino and Ricky Nelson to rival labels.

In 1964, Chudd sold the label to Liberty Records. Under Liberty's management, the label enjoyed success from such artists as Irma Thomas, Johnny Rivers, Jackie DeShannon, Classics IV and Cher.

During the British Invasion years, Liberty (whose recordings were distributed by EMI in the UK) licensed artists including The Hollies, Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas and The Swinging Blue Jeans from EMI, and they were released on the Imperial label. The most successful years for Imperial was from mid 1964 to early 1968 with records on the charts. In 1968, Transamerica Corporation, who owned United Artists, bought the Liberty/Imperial Labels and merged them with UA. Then, by 1970 the label was gone with its artists being transferred to United Artists. EMI now owns the Imperial Records catalogue.

Lew Chudd, 86, the founder of Imperial Records, died on June 15, 1998 of heart failure in Los Angeles.

Source for above: Schwann Catalogs; Wikipedia; http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117477730.html

We are always working to get YOU a complete list of IMPERIAL RECORDS

THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY!

We have no association with IMPERIAL RECORDS or any one in the recording industry.
Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed here (all of which are out of print),
we suggest you go back to our Label page and see what we have now, (remember we up date all the time so the list will change.)

Label Number - Artist - Album title [Issue Date when known][Billboard listing when known]
/ Between songs // other side (when known)

This list is incomplete:

100 Series - Both 10 inch and 12 inch Albums

NEED PHOTO LP-101 Harley Luse - Square Dances [1950] [12"]

NEED PHOTO LP-102 Eva Decker - American Folk Dances [1950] [10"]

NEED PHOTO LP-103 Bill Mooney and His Cactus Twisters - Square Dances [1951] [12"]

NEED PHOTO LP-104 Betty Kay - American Folk Dances [1950] [10"]

NEED PHOTO LP-105 Bill Mooney and His Cactus Twisters - Square Dance With Calls [1951] [12"]

NEED PHOTO DJLP-1 Various Artists - Imperial Sampler [10"]

500 Series - 10-inch Albums

NEED PHOTO IMP-501 Carl Myles - Square Dances [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-502 Lee Bedford Jr. - Square Dances With Calls [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-503 Bill Mooney and His Cactus Twisters - Bill Mooney and His Cactus Twisters [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-504 Mel Day - Square Dances [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-505 Lee Bedford Jr. - Square Dances [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-506 Manuel Acuna Quartet - Mexican Folk Dances [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-507 Manuel Acuna - Spanish Folk Dances [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-508 James O'Flynn - Folk Dances From Ireland [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-509 Juan Torrado - Sambas [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-510 Canadian Bagpipe Band - Scottish Folk Dances [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-511 Yascha Borowsky - Gypsy [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-512 Dominic Saragusa - Folk Dances From Italy [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-513 Various Artists - Folk Dances From Czechoslovakia [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-514 Various Artists - Folk Dances From Germany [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-515 Various Artists - Russian Folk Dances [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-516 Manuel Acuna - Spanish Folk Dances [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-517 Manuel Acuna - Spanish Folk Dances [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-518 Eva Decker - American Old Time Dances [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-519 Robert Hamilton - Broom Waltzes [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-520 Amador Bagasao Quartet - Folk Dances of the Philippine Islands [1951]

NEED PHOTO IMP-521 Hurtado Brothers - Marimba Music [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-522 Raymond Usera - Mambo Rhythms [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-523 Glencoe Highlanders - Folk Music From Scotland [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-524 Manuel Acuna - Manuel Acuna Orchestra [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-525 Manuel Acuna - Manuel Acuna Orchestra [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-526 Louie - German Folk Dances [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-527 Erik Lundquist - Baltic Folk Dances [1952]

NEED PHOTO IMP-528 Manuel Acuna - Manuel Acuna Orchestra [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-529 Gaylord Carter - Hawaiian Melodies [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-530 Gaylord Carter - Gaylord Carter At The Organ [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-531 Manuel Acuna - Songs Of Old Mexico [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-532 Gaylord Carter - Gaylord Carter [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-533 Gaylord Carter - Gaylord Carter [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-534 Tolin Moran - Rhumba Rhythms [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-535 Gaylord Carter - Wedding Bells [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-536 Harley Luse - American Folk Dances [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-537 Bill Mooney - Square Dances [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-538 Betty Kay - American Folk Dances [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-539 Bill Mooney - Square Dances [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-540 Harley Luse - Square Dances [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-541 Adolph Hofner - Adolph Hofner Orchestra [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-542 Manuel Acuna - Music Of The Americas [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-543 Mario Hurtado - Marimba Music [1955]

3000 Series - 10-inch Albums

NEED PHOTO IMP-3001 St. Paul's Choir - Religious Hymns [1950

NEED PHOTO IMP-3002 Charlie Ventura - Charlie Ventura Septet [1950]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3003 Robert Simms Organ - Sacred Hymns [1953]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3004 Slim Whitman - Slim Whitman [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3005 Frank Assunto & Dukes Of Dixieland - Dixieland Jazz From New Orleans [1954]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3006 Charlie Mariano Quartet - Charlie Mariano Quartet Volume 1 [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3007 Charlie Mariano Quartet - Charlie Mariano Quartet Volume 2 [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3008 Raymond Usera - Raymond Usera Orchestra [1955]

NEED PHOTO IMP-3009 George Girard - George Girard Band [1955]

9000 Series - 12 inch Albums

NEED PHOTO LP-9001 Glencoe Highlanders - Scotch Pipings [7/56][Mono]

Green Hills O' Tyrol/Millbank Cottage/Atholl And Breadalbane Gathering/74th Farewell To Edinburgh/Blowers Of Edinburgh/
Highland Schottische/Circassian Circle/Petronella/Miss Mac Cleod's Reel/Strip The Willow/Campbell's Are Coming/ Highland Fling

NEED PHOTO LP-9002 Manual S. Acuna Orchestra - Moment Of Truth (Music of the Bullring) [1956][Mono]

Madre Del Corderro/Fado Blanquita/Alma Andaluza/Alegrias/Espana Cani/Manton De Manila/Garrotin/
Currito De La Cruz/Cielo Andaluz/Malaguena/Bulerias/Gitanerias

NEED PHOTO LP-9003 Slim Whitman - Slim Whitman Favorites [1956] [Mono][Stereo LP-12100]

Love Song Of The Waterwheel/Bandera Waltz/Beautiful Dreamer/Rose Marie/Talk To The Waves/Indian Love Call/
China Doll/Amateur In Love/Keep It A Secret/How Can I Tell/Secret Love/Cattle Call

NEED PHOTO LP-9004 Fats Domino - Rock And Rollin' [1956] (3-57, #17) [Mono][Stereo LP-12387]

The Fat Man/Tired Of Crying/Goin' Home/You Said You Love Me/Going To The River/Please Don't Leave Me//
Rose Mary/All By Myself/Ain't It A Shame/Poor Me/Boo Weevil/Don't Blame It On Me

NEED PHOTO LP-9005 Danny "Kalauana" Stewart - Hawaiian Favorites [1956] [Mono]

Na Lei O Hawaii/Lovely Hula Hands/Hawaiian War Chant/Little Brown Gal/Fair Hawaii/Sweet Leilani/
Hawaiian Song Of Love/Ka Ulua/Beautiful Kahana/Ula No Weo/Hame Pila/Aloha Oe

NEED PHOTO LP-9006 Sonny Criss - Jazz U.S.A. [1956][Mono]

Willow Weep For Me/These Foolish Things/Blue Friday/Sunday/More Than You Know/Easy Livin'/Alabamy Bound/
Something's Gotta Give/West Coast Blues/Criss Cross/Ham's Blues/Sweet Georgia Brown

NEED PHOTO LP-9007 Anayogu Ukonu and Afro-Calypsonians - Afro U.S.A. [1956] [Mono][Stereo on LP-12003]

Bo Bo Wor Foro Satide/Ada Lee/War Dance/I'm Serious/Afro-Maringa/Mhuru-Gi-Nanya (I Love You)/
Where Is My Mama/Sapara/Agnese/Okorobia/Oboli/Elenwua

NEED PHOTO LP-9008 Manual S. Acuna - Mexican Folk Dances [1956] [Mono]

Jarabe Tapatio/Zandunga/Chiapanecas/Espuelas/Mas Bonito Pie/Mananitas/Cielito Lindo/Tanchera/Mexican Schottis/Corrido/
Jarand Yucateco/Fantasia Michoacana

NEED PHOTO LP-9009 Fats Domino - Rock And Rollin' With Fats [1956] (11-56, #18)[Mono][Stereo on LP-12388]

My Blue Heaven/Swanee River Hop/Second Line Jump/Goodbye/Careless/I Love Her//
I'm In Love Again/When My Dreamboat Comes Home/Are You Going My Way/If You Need Me/My Heart Is In Your Hands/ Fats' Frenzy

NEED PHOTO LP-9010 "Wild" Bill Davis - "Wild" Bill Davis On Broadway [1956] [Mono]

Autumn Leaves/Invitation/Cubano Chant/My Funny Valentine/Perdido/Take The "A" Train/I Miss You So/I Remember April/
I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

NEED PHOTO LP-9011 Raymond Usera Orchestra - Mambo! [1956] [Mono]

Caribbean Mambo/Gold Coast Mambo/Highlight Mambo/Park Avenue Mambo/Hay Que Tener/Mambiando El Mambo/Riff A La Iznaga/
Ricoland

NEED PHOTO LP-9012 Mario Hurtago Orchestra - Marimba Music [1956] [Mono]

Adelita Linda/Rumbarimba/Solamente Una Vez/Paquita/Tu Promesa/Altos Tren/Porque Enganar/Que Quieres Mas De Mi

NEED PHOTO LP-9013 James O'Flynn Orchestra - Irish Folk Dances [1956] [Mono]
Medley: Irish Washerwoman-Connaught Man-Father O'Flynn/Stack Of Barley/
Medley: Wind That Shakes The Barley-Rakes O'Mallow-Fairy Reel/
Medley: Miss MacCleod's Reel-Peas Upon A Teacher- White Cockade/Medley: O'Donnell Abu-James O'Flynn/
Medley: Rickett's Hornpipe-Fischer's Hornpipe- Duranges Hornpipe/Medley: Paddy Whack-Rory O'Moore-Larry O'Gaff/
Medley: Garry Owen-Paddy O'Rafferty-Spring O'Shellalagh

NEED PHOTO LP-9014 Roy Harrison Orchestra - Music At Midnight [1956] [Mono]

All Alone/Dusk/Lover/Kiss Me Again/Autumn Leaves/Night And Day/Time On My Hands/Say It With Music/
Yankee Doodle Dandy/La Paloma/When Day Is Done/Maila Waltz

NEED PHOTO LP-9015 "Wild" Bill Davis - "Wild" Bill Davis In Hollywood [1956] [Mono]

Supposin'/Jealousy/High And The Mighty/Tenderly/Let's Fall In Love/At Dawn With Davis/Mr. Wonderful/
All The Things You Are/Inter-Modulation/Love Is Here To Stay

NEED PHOTO LP-9016 Roy Harrison Orchestra - Care Free Mood [1956] [Mono]

Until Tomorrow/Temptation/Chesapeake Bay/I'm Getting Sentimental Over You/Negra/Deep Purple/Fascinating Rhythm/
John Peel/You And The Night And The Music/I Want To Be Happy/Linger Awhile/Waiting For The Robert E. Lee

NEED PHOTO LP-9017 Roy Harrison Orchestra - Music In A Tender Mood [1956] [Mono]

Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen/Londonderry Air/Two Little Girls In Blue/Goodnight Ladies/Carolina Moon/ Camptown Races/
Destiny Waltz/Brazil/Cock O' The North/I'm In The Mood For Love/I Kiss Your Hand Madame/Well Blow Me Down/ Arche De Triomphe

NEED PHOTO LP-9018 Roy Harrison Orchestra - Music For Lovers [1956] [Mono]

Saint Louis Blues/Siesta/String Operation/Oh What A Beautiful Morning/I'll See You Again/Liza/Mood Indigo/
The Man I Love/Black And Tan Fantasy/Hora Staccato/Mexican Hat Dance/Emperor Waltz/Neapolitan Love Song

NEED PHOTO LP-9019 Reginald G. Marshall Orchestra - Music For Romantic Moments [1956] [Mono]

Adios Muchachos/When Day Is Done/I'll See You Again/Time On My Hands/Dream Waltz/Phil The Fluter's Ball/Summertime/
Sweethearts/Linger Awhile

NEED PHOTO LP-9020 Sonny Criss - Go Man! [1956] [Mono]

Summertime/Memories Of You/Wailin' With Joe/How Deep Is The Ocean/Blues For Rose/Man I Love/ Until The Real Thing Comes Along/
Blue Prelude/After You've Gone/Come Rain Or Come Shine/How High The Moon/If I Had You

NEED PHOTO LP-9021 Leonard Rosenman - Tribute To James Dean [1956][Mono]

Theme From "East Of Eden"/Cal's Dance/Nocturne/Vindication Of Cal/Giant/There's Never Been Anyone Else But You/
Theme From "Rebel Without A Cause"/Jim's Ride To The Planetarium/End Of The World/Knife Fight/Death Of Plato

NEED PHOTO LP-9022 Ernie Freeman - Ernie Freeman Plays Irving Berlin [1956][Mono]

Alexander's Ragtime Band/How Deep Is The Ocean/Heat Wave/Say It Isn't So/Always/Blue Skies/Reaching For The Moon/
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm/All Alone/Song Is Ended/Now It Can Told

NEED PHOTO LP-9023 Bill Mooney & Cactus Twisters - Square Dances [1956][Mono]

My Gal Sal/Beer Barrel Polka/Spinning Wheel/Little Brown Jug/"H"/En El Rancho Grande/You Are My Sunshine/
I Like Mountain Music/There Is A Tavern In The Town/Pistol Packin' Mama/Blues Eyes/There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder

Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter LP-9024 Sonny Criss - Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter [1956][Mono]

What Is This Thing Called Love/Night And Day/Love For Sale/Just One Of Those Things/Anything Goes/
I Get A Kick Out Of You/Easy To Love/It's All Right With Me/I Love You/In The Still Of The Night

NEED PHOTO LP-9170 Fats Domino - Twistin' The Stomp [1962][Mono]

Twistin' The Spots/The Twist Set Me Free/I Know/Every Night/Town Talk/Wait And See//
Twistin' The Stomp/Don't Deceive Me/A Long Way From Home/The Girl I Love/Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?/ South Of The Border

Ray Martin & Orchestra - Love Of My Life LP-9083 Ray Martin & Orchestra - Love Of My Life [1959][Mono][Stereo on LP-12018]

Melodie D'Amour/Many Times/My One And Only Love/Minstrel Melody/Message Of Love/Plaisir D'Amour/Vivre/
Ca C'Est L'Amour/Heart To Heart/Moonlight In Vermont/Temptation Waltz/Melody Of Love

NEED PHOTO LP-9183 Jungle Drums - Jungle Drums [1962][Mono][Stereo on LP-12183]

Bo-Bo-Wero-Foro-Satide/Ade Le/I'm Serious/Afro-Maringa/
Mhuru-Gi- Nanya/Where Is My Mama/Sapara/Agnese/Okorobia Oboli/Klenwua

Rick Nelson - Million Sellers LP-9232 Rick Nelson - Million Sellers [1963][Mono][Stereo on LP-12232]

Travelin' Man/Never Be Anyone Else But You/It's Late/My One Desire/I Wanna Be Loved/Young Emotions//
Hello Mary Lou/Right By My Side/I'm Not Afraid/Yes Sir That's My Baby/You Are The Only One/Milk Cow Blues

NEED PHOTO 9339 The Hollies - Stop! Stop! Stop! [1966]

NEED PHOTO LP-12003 Anayogu Ukonu and Afro-Calypsonians - Afro U.S.A. [1958] [Stereo][Mono on LP-9007]

Bo Bo Wor Foro Satide/Ada Lee/War Dance/I'm Serious/Afro-Maringa/Mhuru-Gi-Nanya (I Love You)/Where Is My Mama/Sapara/
Agnese/Okorobia/Oboli/Elenwua

Ray Martin & Orchestra - Love Of My Life LP-12018 Ray Martin & Orchestra - Love Of My Life [1959][Stereo][Mono on LP-9083]

Melodie D'Amour/Many Times/My One And Only Love/Minstrel Melody/Message Of Love/Plaisir D'Amour/Vivre/
Ca C'Est L'Amour/Heart To Heart/Moonlight In Vermont/Temptation Waltz/Melody Of Love

NEED PHOTO LP-12100 Slim Whitman - Slim Whitman Favorites [1966] [Electronic Stereo][Mono LP-9003]

Love Song Of The Waterwheel/Bandera Waltz/Beautiful Dreamer/Rose Marie/Talk To The Waves/Indian Love Call/China Doll/
Amateur In Love/Keep It A Secret/How Can I Tell/Secret Love/Cattle Call

NEED PHOTO LP-12183 Anyaogu Ukonu - Jungle Drums [1962][Stereo][Mono on LP-9183
Bo-Bo-Wero-Foro-Satide/Ade Le/I'm Serious/Afro-Maringa/
Mhuru-Gi- Nanya/Where Is My Mama/Sapara/Agnese/Okorobia Oboli/Klenwua

Rick Nelson - Million Sellers LP-12232 Rick Nelson - Million Sellers [1963][Stereo][Mono on LP-9232]

Travelin' Man/Never Be Anyone Else But You/It's Late/My One Desire/I Wanna Be Loved/Young Emotions//
Hello Mary Lou/Right By My Side/I'm Not Afraid/Yes Sir That's My Baby/You Are The Only One/Milk Cow Blues

NEED PHOTO 12320 Cher - Cher [1965]

NEED PHOTO 12358 Cher - With Love [1967]

NEED PHOTO LP-12387 Fats Domino - Rock And Rollin' [1968][Stereo][Mono LP-9004]

The Fat Man/Tired Of Crying/Goin' Home/You Said You Love Me/Going To The River/Please Don't Leave Me//
Rose Mary/All By Myself/Ain't It A Shame/Poor Me/Boo Weevil/Don't Blame It On Me

NEED PHOTO LP-12388 Fats Domino - Rock And Rollin' With Fats [1968][Stereo][Mono on LP-9009

My Blue Heaven/Swanee River Hop/Second Line Jump/Goodbye/Careless/I Love Her//
I'm In Love Again/When My Dreamboat Comes Home/Are You Going My Way/If You Need Me/My Heart Is In Your Hands/ Fats' Frenzy

NEED PHOTO 1561351 James "Sugar Boy" Crawford & The Shaweez - New Orleans Classics [1985][Pathe Marconi (France) catalogue]

Morning Star/You Gave Me Love/She's Gotta Wobble (When She Walks)/I Don't Need You/The Facts/It's Over/I Need Your Love//
I Have A Feeling/No One But You Dear/She's The One/You Made Me Love You/No One To Love Me/Feeling Sad/Early Sunday Morning

T-Bone Walker - Hot Leftovers 1561451 T-Bone Walker - Hot Leftovers [1985]



Artists
on
Imperial

Cher, The Hollies, James "Sugar Boy" Crawford & The Shaweez, Sonny Criss

IMPERIAL RECORD SECTION part of Joe's Music Rack for YOUR KEY TO COLLECTIBLES© 1996 - 2008