Archive for April, 2007

Harlem – Week of 4/23/07 – Imperial Records Story

19th April
2007
written by Matt The Cat

This week, HARLEM salutes one of the most influential record labels in the development of rock n’ roll…

Imperial Records


Lew Chudd formed IMPERIAL RECORDS in 1946 in Los Angeles to better serve the Mexican and ethnic community. By 1949 his sights were set on another musical form that was being ignored by the major labels, New Orleans rhythm & blues. He hired bandleader Dave Bartholomew to be his New Orleans A&R; man and producer and rest is R&B; history. Bartholomew signed Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis and The Spiders and Imperial had a soul bucket full of hit records that would end up becoming Rock n’ Roll staples. Get the story behind the story of IMPERIAL RECORDS with Matt The Cat, this week on HARLEM.

Harlem Airs On The 50s on 5:
Monday afternoon 4/23 @ 1pm over Baltimore, MD
Tuesday evening 4/24 @ 9pm PST and Midnight EST
Friday night 4/27 @ 6pm over Seaside Heights, NJ
Sunday morning 4/29 @ 11am over Philly, PA

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Harlem – Week Of 4/16/07 – Smiley Lewis

11th April
2007
written by Matt The Cat
This Week on HARLEM…

Smiley Lewis

Smiley Lewis was New Orleans R&B; through and through, even though he never sold more than 100,000 copies of any of his many Imperial Singles. Today, he’s usually remembered as the guy who recorded the original version of the 1955 classic “I Hear You Knockin'”, but there’s so much to Smiley than that. Get the story behind the story on Smiley Lewis from Matt The Cat, this week on HARLEM.

Harlem Airs on The 50s on 5:
Monday 4/16 @ 1pm over Boston & Noon Over New Orleans
Tuesday 4/17 @ 9pm in LA and Midnight in NYC
Friday 4/20 @ 6pm over Baltimore
Sunday 4/22 @ 11am over Miami

Thanks and remember, whatever you do, do it with a little bit o’ soul baby.

Matt The Cat

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Harlem – Week Of 4/9/07 – Joe & Jimmy Liggins!

5th April
2007
written by Matt The Cat
Joe Liggins & Jimmy Liggins



Pianist/singer Joe Liggins and younger brother, guitarist/singer Jimmy Liggins didn’t record together. They each had impressive and hit laden careers apart. Joe made history with “The Honeydripper” which sat at #1 on the R&B; charts for over 10 weeks in 1945, while Jimmy’s biggest R&B; hit was “Drunk” in 1953. This week, Matt The Cat focuses on both brothers, who contributed greatly to the R&B; scene of the late 40s and early 50s.

Harlem Airs On The 50s on 5:

Monday, 4/9 @ 1pm EST

Tuesday, 4/10 @ 9pm PST – Midnight EST

Friday, 4/13 @ 6pm EST

Sunday, 4/15 @ 11am EST

Thanks for helping me keep the soul alive!

Matt The Cat

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