Art Rupe, founder of Specialty Records, dies aged 104

[Amsterdam Russ]

Quote

Art Rupe - the music executive who helped R&B go mainstream - has died aged 104.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member founded Specialty Records in Los Angeles in 1946 - giving an early break to the likes of Sam Cooke, Little Richard and John Lee Hooker.

https://news.sky.com/story/art-rupe-the-music-executive-who-helped-r-b-go-mainstream-dies-aged-104-12592177

[The Yank]

    Sad to hear this!  Lloyd Price and Larry Williams also got their starts on Specialty. 

[Robbk]

Yes.  sad to hear this.  He was very nice to me, back in 1980, making up a special big batch of Specialty hard card stock company sleeves for me.  But, he lived a long life to 104.  Condolences to his family.

[The Yank]

Here's a pic of Art with Little Richard from Cashbox-