King - founded in
Cincinnati, Ohio by Sydney Nathan in 1945
Rhythm and Blues (instrumental): Tiny Bradshaw, Lucky Millinder,
Todd Rhodes, Bill Doggett, Big Jay McNeeley, Sonny Thompson, Earl
Bostic
Vocal: Roy Brown, Wynonie Harris, Bullmoose Jackson, Little
Willie Littlefield, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Jimmy
Witherspoon, Annie Laurie, Lula Reed
Country and Western: Moon Mullican, Cowboy Copus, Grandpa Jones,
Delmore Brothers, Hackshaw Hawkins, Wayne Raney, Hank Penny,
Jimmie Osborne, Clyde Moody
Groups: Royals, Platters, Midnighters, Dominoes, "5"
Royals, Otis Williams and the Charms
Gospel Blues: Little Willie John, James Brown
Rock and Roll: Hank Ballard, Mac Curtis, Hayden Thompson, Charlie
Feathers, Latie Moore, Bonnie Lou, Boyd Bennett and the Rockets.
Chess - founded 1947 in
Chicago by Leonard and Phil Chess. First called Aristocrat:
Renamed Chess in 1949
Rhythm and Blues: Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John lee Hooker,
Jimmy Rogers, Willie Mabon, Gene Ammons, Eddie Boyd
Groups: Moonglows
Rock and Roll: Chuck Berry, Bobby Charles, Johnnie and Joe,
Monotones
Checker-formed 1953
Blues: Little Walter, Lowell Fulson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little
Milton
Groups: Flamingos, Tune Weavers
Rock and Roll: Bo Diddley, Dale Hawkins
Argo founded 1956
Rock and Roll: Clarence "Frogman" Henry
Vee Jay formed in 1953
by Vivian Carter and James Bracken. Producers: Calvin Carter , Al
Smith
Blues: Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Rosco Gordon,.Big Jay
McNeely, Gene Allison
Doo-Wop Groups :Spaniels, Eldorados, Dells, Magnificents,
Impressions
Rhythm and Blues: Dee Clark, Gene Chandler