Reasons For Uk Release?

[Liamgp]

Just curious. What were the reasons that a US Soul/RnB record would be released in the UK? OK, Tamla Motown were a conduit specifically for the Detroit label(s) releases, and the UK Sue label seemed to be based on what Guy Stevens liked. 

 

But what about other stuff? Was it because they were regional or national hits in the US or did someone decide this was what the budding soul fans in the 60s wanted?

 

[Steve G]

A hundred reasons.....early 60s there were import controls, if you wanted your record released in the US, then you had to release a US record here....often they took the first one available. But essentially it was either because it was a regional hit, or because someone somewhere thought it had the potential to be a hit in the UK. Radio Luxemborg and Forces abroad radio also played their part. Some genuine soul fans also played their part (Vicki Wickham who ran Toast records for example), and there were plenty of early visitors to the US championing the music back here (Godin, John Abbey, James Hamilton, Guy Stevens, David Nathan etc.) or running fan clubs and writing to the record companies asking for the records to be released. Stateside for example was set up to release American music here. Sorry rushed answer.....running to meeting...

Edited March 27, 2014 by Steve G

[Only Dreaming]

There was also a UK Market due to the number of Jamacian Immigrants.

 

Dave