Planetone
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| Planetone | |
|---|---|
 Sonny Roberts plaque | |
| Founder | Sonny Roberts |
| Genre | Ska |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Location | Kilburn, London |
Planetone Studios was a London-based recording studio and independent record label that issued ska recordings in the early 1960s.[1] It has been credited as the first black owned record label in England, and a catalyst for the later British labels Trojan and Island Records.[2]
The label's founder was Sonny Roberts (1932-2021). The basement studio, which operated from 1961 until 1965, was located at a now demolished site at 108 Cambridge Road, Kilburn, London.[3] Some of the early recordings were by Rico's Combo,[4] a group led by Jamaican trombonist Rico Rodriguez. Mike Elliott (future saxophonist for The Foundations), Jackie Foster,[5][6] Tito ‘Sugar’ Simone and Jamaican singer Dandy Livingstone[7] also released some recordings on the label.[8] Other associated musicians included Jackie Edwards, Millie Small and The Marvels (band).[9]
Chris Blackwell's Island Records took over the space in 1965 when Roberts returned to his original profession, carpentry.[10]
