Chelsea Records
{{Short description|American record company}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{infobox record label
| name = Chelsea
| image =
| parent = Sony Music Entertainment
| founded = {{start date and age|1972}}
| status = Defunct since {{end date and age|1977}}
| distributor = Self-distributed
| genre = Various
| country = United States
}}
Chelsea Records was an American-based record company founded by musician, songwriter, and record producer Wes Farrell in 1972. Within the company's first four months, it released its first gold single, "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" by Wayne Newton.
{{cite magazine
| title = Chelsea Hits Gold—Fast
| magazine = Billboard
| volume = 84
| issue = 31
| date = July 29, 1972
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 3
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EigEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Chelsea+Records%22&pg=PA3
| access-date = 2012-11-25
}}
In addition to Newton, Chelsea featured a number of new and established artists like Tommy Boyce, Jim Gilstrap, Lulu, Jigsaw, New York City, and Rick Springfield.
{{cite magazine
| last = Sutherland
| first = Sam
| title = Studio Track
| magazine = Billboard
| volume = 85
| issue = 15
| date = April 14, 1973
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 18
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3ycEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Chelsea+Records%22+%22RCA%22&pg=PA18
| access-date = 2012-11-25
{{cite magazine
| last = Lichtman
| first = Irv
| title = Songwriter/Exec Wes Farrell Dies
| magazine = Billboard
| volume = 108
| issue = 11
| date = March 16, 1996
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 118
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Chelsea+Records%22+%22RCA%22&pg=PA118
| access-date = 2012-11-25
}}
History
A sublabel, Roxbury Records, focused on the soul and R&B market and scored a million-selling hit with William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful for What You Got" in 1974.Cash Box, May 11, 1974 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-05-11.pdf Page 56 CASH BOX/R&B TOP 70, 2 BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT William De Vaughn (Roxbury BRBO 0236) 8]
It was reported in the 22 February 1975 issue of Record World that Chelsea artist Ronnie Williams was the charter client for new company, Camillo /Marcucci Productions which was formed by Tony Camillo.Billboard, February 22, 1975 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-02-22.pdf Page 63 New Companies] Williams' single "Dreamin'" charted in the UK.Music Week, April 5, 1975 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1975/Music-Week-1975-04-05.pdf Page 27 Soul Chart, 18 16 DREAMIN': Ronnie Williams]
RCA Records originally handled distribution for Chelsea, but Farrell switched to independent distributors in 1974,
{{cite magazine
| title = Chelsea Switches From RCA to Indie Dist's.
| magazine = Billboard
| volume = 86
| issue = 25
| date = June 22, 1974
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 6
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YgkEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Chelsea+Records%22+%22RCA%22&pg=PA6
| access-date = 2012-11-25
}}
and later did its own distribution.
{{cite magazine
| last = Williams
| first = Jean
| title = Birthright Records in Campaign
| magazine = Billboard
| volume = 88
| issue = 42
| date = October 16, 1976
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 47
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5yQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22chelsea+records%22+%22rca%22+%22distribution%22&pg=PT46
| access-date = 2012-11-25
}}
Ultimately, RCA absorbed the label in 1977.
{{cite web
| url = http://rateyourmusic.com/label/chelsea_records/va/
| title = Chelsea Records
| website = RateYourMusic.com
| access-date = 2012-11-25
}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Defunct record labels of the United States