Ric Records
American record label
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ric Records, along with sister label Ron Records, were American record labels formed by Joe Ruffino in 1959.[1] Although most of Ric's releases did not rise above regional hits, the label was active during the golden era of New Orleans R&B and was an incubator for many artists who are now recognized as definers of the style.
| Ric Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Joe Ruffino |
| Defunct | 1962 |
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New Orleans |
After his first taste of the music industry at A-1 Distributors,[2] Joe Ruffino set out on his own with the Ric and Ron imprints, headquartered at 630 Baronne Street in New Orleans.[1] The labels were named after Joe's two sons.[1] Ric Records was focused exclusively on releasing local New Orleans talent. Edgar Blanchard was brought in to help with studio arrangements, and supervised all early Ric studio sessions.[1] He was later replaced by Harold Battiste.[1] Mac Rebennack (later "Dr. John") was also brought on as label president and helped with writing and producing.[3]
Artists on the label included Eddie Bo, Johnny Adams,[4] Lenny Capello, Al Johnson, Tommy Ridgley and Joe Jones. Jones provided Ric with its only sizeable hit, "You Talk Too Much", which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1960.[1] This record was the cause of legal issues with New York City-based outfit Roulette Records, for which Joe Jones previously recorded a version of the tune.[5][6]
Sister label Ron Records had a similar focus on local talent. Artists released include Professor Longhair (local favorite "Go to the Mardi Gras"[7]), Irma Thomas, Bobby Mitchell, Eddie Lang (not to be confused with the jazz guitarist Eddie Lang) and Martha Carter. After being discovered in a local club by Tommy Ridgley, Irma Thomas recorded her first single "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My Man" for Ron within a week.[1] She is now recognized as an important American singer,[8] and was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007.[9]
The Ric and Ron labels became dormant in 1962 when Joe Ruffino died.[1] Ruffino's brother in law Joe Assunt, owner of the One Stop Records store procured the Ric and Ron tapes and reissued various popular titles for the next decade, adding a couple of Johnny Adams 45s to the label listings.[10] On Assunto's death in August 1981 the tapes passed to his daughter Joel Ann Mcgregor.[10]