Morgan Clyde "Bobby" Robinson (April 16, 1917 – January 7, 2011)[1] was an American independent
record producer and songwriter in
New York City, most active from the 1950s through the mid-1980s.
Born in
Union, South Carolina,[2] Robinson served in the
US Army in
World War II.[5] After the war, Robinson moved to
New York City and opened "Bobby's Record Shop" (later "Bobby's Happy House") in 1946.[6] There were only a few Black-owned businesses on
125th Street in
Harlem during this period. Robinson's record shop became one of them.[7] Located on the corner of 125th St. and
Frederick Douglass Boulevard. His shop remained open until January 21, 2008, only being forced to close because the landlord planned to raze the building.
Robinson's store became a focal point for the independent
record producers establishing themselves in New York. During this time, Robinson spent time assisting
Ahmet Ertegun at
Atlantic Records.[6] He produced his first recording in 1951, "Bobby's Boogie" by
saxophonist Morris Lane and his band. Robinson normally specialised in recording vocal groups including the Mello-Moods, the Rainbows, the Vocaleers and
the Du Droppers. He also recorded
blues performers such as
Sonny Terry and
Brownie McGhee
Robinson's first major success was "Shake Baby Shake" by
Champion Jack Dupree in 1953. The record was released on
Red Robin Records, which Robinson had established the previous year. The label was originally named Robin Records, but legal threats forced him to change it.[3][8]
Robinson produced top-selling records by
Wilbert Harrison,
The Shirelles,
Lee Dorsey, and
Dave "Baby" Cortez, many of whom were signed to the label by
A&R man
Marshall Sehorn. One of his earliest hits was Harrison's "
Kansas City", over which he faced legal action brought by
Herman Lubinsky of
Savoy Records, who claimed he had Harrison under contract.[5] Robinson produced
Gladys Knight & the Pips' first hit, "Every Beat of My Heart" (after he signed them to Fury; the original version was recorded in Atlanta, issued locally on Huntom and leased to
Vee Jay, who had the bigger hit). Robinson produced several
Elmore James records as well as recordings by
Lightnin' Hopkins,
Arthur Crudup, and
Buster Brown.[3]King Curtis's "Soul Twist" was the first release of his Enjoy label in 1962, and over twenty years later, he released the hit, "I’m The Packman (Eat Everything I Can)" by The
Packman, on the same label. The rights to Robinson's recordings on Fire and Fury were sold to
Bell Records in 1965.[5]
The common thread that connected all of Robinson's various record labels was his uncanny ability to bring out the best in his artists. While most producers at that time attempted to soften the edges of rhythm & blues singers in hopes of appealing to the pop market, Robinson delighted in capturing raw-edged artists like Elmore James and Buster Brown just as they were.[9]
In the 1970s, Robinson produced some of the first
hip-hop music records for his "Enjoy" label . In 1979, he recorded
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's first record, "Superrappin'", an innovative record which was influential in hip-hop's early years. A local hit in New York, the record failed to hit nationwide. Robinson then produced records by
Pumpkin and Friends, the
Funky Four Plus One More,
Spoonie Gee (Robinson's nephew), and
Kool Moe Dee with the Treacherous Three. He produced
Doug E. Fresh's "Just Having Fun (Do The Beatbox)", which introduced
beatboxing to the record-buying public.[citation needed]
Robinson died on January 7, 2011, at the age of 93, after a period of declining health.[10]
510 – Bobby Marchan – Yes It's Written All Over Your Face / Look At My Heart
511 – Chuck Bradford – You Can't Hurt Me Anymore / Wherever You Are
512 – Linda Martell & The Anglos – A Little Tear / The Things I Do For You
513 – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford – Don't You Worry / I'm Coming Home To Stay
514 – Dr Horse – Jack The Cat Was Clean / Salt Pork West Va
515 – ?
516 – Buster Brown – Raise A Ruckus Tonight / Gonna Love My Baby
517 – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford – Lead Me On / Tcb (Taking Care Of Business)
1501 – Arthur Crudup – Rock Me Mama / Mean Ole Frisco
1502 – Arthur Crudup – Katie Mae / Dig Myself A Hole
1503 – Elmore James – Strangerblues / Anna Lee
2020 – Elmore James – Pickin' The Blues / It Hurts Me To
2021 – Buster Brown – Sugar Babe / Don't Dog Your Woman
2022 – Larry Dale – Rock A While / The Things I Used To Do
5001 – Darwin Nelson – Mary Sue / Good Gosh Gerty – 1959
Fire LP discography
FLP-100 – Here Are The Hits! – Various Artists [1959] Original cover has photograph of teenagers dancing. Record label is white with red printing. Deserie – Charts/Mary Lee – Rainbows/Dear One -Scarlets/I've Lost – Scarlets/I – Velvets/I Cried – Velvets//My Love Will Never Die – Channels/Bye Bye Baby – Channels/Evening – Rainbows/Oh Gee Oh Gosh – Kodaks/I'm So Happy – Teen Chords/Lydia – Teen Chords
FLP-100 – Memory Lane – Various Artists [1959] Second cover called "Memory Lane, Hits by the Original Groups", there is no picture. Record label is red with black printing. Deserie -Charts/Mary Lee – Rainbows/Dear One -Scarlets/I've Lost – Scarlets/I – Velvets/I Cried – Velvets//My Love Will Never Die – Channels/Bye Bye Baby – Channels/Evening – Rainbows/Oh Gee Oh Gosh – Kodaks/I'm So Happy – Teen Chords/Lydia – Teen Chords
FLP-101 – Buster Brown New King Of The Blues – Buster Brown [1960] Label is white with red printing. FLP-101 in trail off area of LP. Fannie Mae/John Henry/Madison/St. Louis Blues/When Things Go Wrong/Lost In A Dream//Is You Is Or Is You Ain't/Don't Dog Your Woman/Blue Berry Hill/Sincerely/I'm Goin' But I'll Be Back
FLP-102 – Buster Brown New King Of The Blues – Buster Brown [1960] Cover is blue with drawing of Buster Brown, label is red with black printing. FLP-101 in trail off area of LP even though the cover and label say FLP-102. Fannie Mae/John Henry/Madison/St. Louis Blues/When Things Go Wrong/Lost In A Dream//Is You Is Or Is You Ain't/Don't Dog Your Woman/Blue Berry Hill/Sincerely/I'm Goin' But I'll Be Back
FLP-103 – Mean Ol' Frisco – Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup [1960] Label is red with black printing. Mean Ole Frisco/Look On Yonder Wall/That's Alright/Ethel Mae/Too Much Competition/Standing At My Window//Rock Me Mama/Greyhound Bus/Coal Black Mare/Katie Mae/Dig Myself A Hole/So Glad You're Mine
FLP-104 – Mojo Hand – Lightnin' Hopkins [1962] Label is red with black print. Mojo Hand/Coffee For Mama/Awful Dream/Black Mare Trot/Have You Ever Loved A Woman//Glory Bee/Sometimes She Will/Shine On Moon!/Santa
FLP-105 – I Need Your Lovin' – Don Gardner/Dee Dee Ford [1962] Need Your Lovin'/Now It's Too Late/Nobody But You/Make The Girl Love Me/You Said/Tell Me//I Need You/I'm Coming Home To Stay/What A Thrill/Honey Sweet/Don't You Worry
Fury 7" discography
1000 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – I'm So Happy (Tra La La La La La) / Lydia
1001 – The Miracles – Your Love (Is All I Need) / I Love You So
1002 – Hal Paige & The Whalers – Don't Have To Cry No More / Pour The Corn
1003 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – Honey Honey (You Don't Know) / Please Tell The Angels
1004 – Little Bobby Rivera & The Hemlocks – Cora Lee / Joys Of Love
1005 – The Federals – While Our Hearts Are Young / You're The One I Love
1006 – Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords – I'm Not Too Young To Fall In Love / Falling In Love
1007 – The Kodaks With Pearl McKinnon – Teenager's Dream / Little Boy And Girl
1008 – Bobby & Buddy – What's The Word – Thunderbird / I Cried
1009 – The Federals – Dear Loraine / She's My Girl
1010 – The Emotions – Candlelight / It's Love
1011 – The Du Mauriers – All Night Long / Baby I Love You
1012 – The Velvets – Dance Honey Dance / I – I – I (Love You So – So – So)
1013 – The Duals – Wait Up Baby / Forever And Ever
1014 – Sherman & Darts – Remember (It's Only You And I) / Rockin' At Midnight
1015 – The Kodoks Featuring Pearl McKinnion – Oh Gee, Oh Gosh / Make Believe World
1055 – Wilbert Harrison – Drafted / My Heart Is Yours
1056 – Lee Dorsey – Do-Re-Mi / People Gonna Talk
1057 – Jackie & The Starlites – I Found Out Too Late / I'm Coming Home
1058 – Barry & The Tots – Christmas Each Day Of The Year / I'm A Happy Little Christmas Tree
1059 – Wilbert Harrison – Let's Stick Together / Kansa City Twist
1060 – Little Joe Cook – This I Know / These Lonely Tears
1061 – Lee Dorsey – Eenie Meenie Miny Moe / Behind The 8 Ball
1062 – Buddy Skipper – Don't Be A Shame / Baby Please
1063 – Wilbert Harrison – Let's Stick Together / My Heart Is Yours
1064 – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Operator / I'll Trust In You
1065 – ?
1066 – Lee Dorsey – You Are My Sunshine / Give Me Your Love
1067 – The Pips – Darling / Linda
1068 – Slim & Little Ann – Send Me The Pillow You Dream On / I Love You Because
1069 – Tyron Rowe – Mama Don't Allow / I'm A Go'fer
1070 – Jimmy Ricks – I Wonder / Let Me Down Easy
1071 – The Channels – My Love Will Never Die / Bye Bye Baby
1072 – ?
1073 – Gladys Knight – Come See About / I Want That Kind Of Love
1074 – Lee Dorsey – Hoodlum Joe / When I Met My Baby
5000 – Billy Habric – Human / Talk To Me Baby
5001 – Wilbert Harrison – (If Women Are) Trouble / Let's Have Some Fun
5002 – Willie Hightower – If I Had A Hammer / So Tired
5003 – Man U Huffman – Things Go Better With You / School Boy In Love
5004 – Willie Hightower – Let's Walk Together / I Love You
5005 – Billy Hambrick – You're A Sweetheart / Flaming Mamie
5006 – Billy Hambre – This Is My Prayer / Everybody Needs Love
5050 – Johnny Jones – Tennessee Waltz / I Find No Fault
5051 – Ricky Lewis – Cupis / Somebody's Gonna Want Me
5052 – Joe Haywood – Ghost Of A Love / Debt Of Love
Fury LP discography
FULP-1001 – Letter Full Of Tears – Gladys Knight & Pips [Unissued?] The trail off wax of FULP-1003 also has FLP-1001 which is scratched out. This would indicate that the Gladys Knight album was intended to be Fury 1001.
FULP-1002 – Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey [1962] Yellow label with black printing. Ya Ya/Give Me You/Do-Re-Me/People Gonna Talk/Chin Chin/Mess Around//Eenie Meenie Mini Mo/One And One/Yum Yum/Ixie Dixie Pixie Pie/Behind The Eight-Ball
FULP-1003 – Letter Full Of Tears – Gladys Knight & Pips [1962] The label is yellow with black printing. Trail off wax contains FU-LP-1003 and FLP 1001 which is scratched out. Letter Full Of Tears/You Broke Your Promise/Operator/I'll Trust In You/Morning Noon And Night/I Can't Stand By//Every Beat Of My Heart/Room In Your Heart/Guess Who/Stop Running Around/What Shall I Do?
Enjoy 7" discography
1000 – King Curtis – Soul Twist / Twisting Time
1001 – King Curtis – Wobble Twist / Twisting With The King
ER-6029 – Masterdon Committee – Gonna' Get You Hot (12")
ER-6031 – The Packman – I'm The Packman (Eat Everything I Can) (12")
EN-6032 – Masterdon Committee – Funk Box Party (12")
EN-6033 – Masterdon Committee – Musicgram (12")
ER-6034 – The Source – The Ghetto (12")
ER-6035 –
Doug E. Fresh – Just Having Fun (Do The Beat Box) (12")
EN-6036 – Spoonie Gee – New Love Rap (12")
EN-6037 – Crazy Eddie (3) & Jazaq – Come On Party People (Lets Ge Down) (12")
EN-6038 – New York City Trooper – Here We Go (12")
EN-6039 – Ninga – Crack Attack (12")
EN-6040 – DLB (The Microphone Wizard) – Magic (12")
EN-6044 – Masterdon – I Paid The Cost To Be The Boss (12")
ER-6041 –
The Deuce II – Are You Ready (For The Big Throwdown) (12")
Enjoy LP discography
ENLP-2001 – Soul Twist – King Curtis [1962] Label is gold with blue printing. Soul Twist/Twisting Time/What'd I Say/I Know/Sack O' Woe Twist/Camp Meetin'//Wobble Twist/Irresistible You/Big Dipper/Twisting With The King/Midnight Blue
Everlast LP discography
ELP-201 – Our Best To You – Various Artists [1960] Label is orange with black printing. Deserie – Charts/Zoop – Charts/Why Do You Cry – Charts/Dance Girl – Charts/You're The Reason – Charts/I've Been Wondering – Charts//I Want To Know – Ladders/Counting The Stars – Ladders /My Love Has Gone – Ladders /Lorraine – Harmonaires/Come Back – Harmonaires/Baby – Bop-Chords
ELP-202 – Wiggle Wobble – Les Cooper and the Soul Rockers [1963] Label is white and orange with black printing. Popeye Dance/Wiggle Wobble No. 2/Jungle Pony/Dig Yourself/Shimmy Rock/
Wiggle Wobble//The Monkey/Hippity Hop/Wobble Party/Twistin' One More Time/Bossa Nova Dance/At The Party
Front Page 7" discography
1000 – Joe Haywood – I'm Walkin' / Strong Feelin'
1001 – The Victones – I Need You So / My Baby Changes
1002 – Jim And Lee – Adam And Eve / I'll Never Change
1003 – Joe Haywood – I Cross My Heart And Hope To Die / In Your Heart You Know I Love You
2301 – Lee Moses – Time And Place / I Can't Take No Chances
2302 – The Victones- Somebody Really Loves You / Two Sides To Love