History of Henry Stone Music - Page 1 of 3

Henry Stone, T.K. Office, Hialeah, Florida (1975)

AMG Biography

Born June 3, 1921, in the Bronx, NY, Henry Stone began playing the trumpet in his teens, inspired by jazz great Louis Armstrong. Later at a military camp in New Jersey, he played in bands. After being discharged in 1946, he began selling records out of the back of his car in Los Angeles. 

Later he became a 78 rpm record salesman for the Bihari Brothers' Modern Records, selling to jukebox owners throughout California.  He was not solely employed by them as a salesman. He did sell for them but also had his own things going on the side... one of which was the 'Indi Index', the forerunner to the 'Phono-Log'. In 1952, he established his own recording studio, Crystal Recording Company, and started a blues label, Rockin', and a gospel music label, Glory, in Florida. A big hit on Glory was Rev. A. Johnson's God Don't Like It. 

Ray Charles

Stone did some pre-stardom recording with Ray Charles at his Flagler Street Studio, in Miami, Florida. The resulting songs were released on Rockin and Delux labels. 

Otis Williams and the Charms

Stone leased some of his labels' other releases to DeLuxe Records. Most notable was the Cincinnati, OH, vocal group Otis Williams and the Charms. Originally recording for Stone's Rockin' label in 1953, the group scored a few hits: "Hearts of Stone" (number one R&B for nine weeks); "Ling, Ting, Tong" (number five R&B) and its flip side, "Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')," which went to number five R&B in January 1955; and "Two Hearts," which hit number eight R&B in March 1955. 

Stone formed Chart Records in 1955 and two music publishing companies, Pelican and Sherlyn. His roster included the Champions, the Evergreens, and bandleader/pianist Sonny Thompson. 

At the end of the decade, he formed two other labels, Glades and Marlin. 

In 1960, Stone cut "(Do The) Mashed Potatoes" by Nat Kendrick and the Swans for the Dade label. The group was James Brown's backup band, the JBs, and scored a number eight R&B hit in February of that year. 

James Brown & Henry Stone

Many years later, Stone recorded Brown himself on his TK imprint: "Rapp Payback" in 1980 and "Stay With Me" in April 1981. 

Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas & Clarence Reid

During the late '60s, Stone began Alston Records, signing Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas, and Clarence Reid. Wright's "Clean Up Woman" was a gold number two R&B/number six pop hit single in November 1971. Reid's biggest hit was "Nobody but You Babe," a number seven R&B hit in July 1969. 

Latimore

For Stone's Glades label, Benny Latimore aka Latimore hit with the late-night blues anthem "Let's Straighten It Out," which stayed at number one R&B for two weeks in September 1974. The singer/songwriter also broke the R&B Top Ten with "Keep the Home Fire Burnin'" and "Something 'Bout 'Cha." 

K.C. & The Sunshine Band - 1977

With the signing of KC and the Sunshine Band to his TK label, Stone found his pot of gold (and platinum) at the end of the rainbow. The band racked up five number one pop singles, four number one R&B singles, and gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.

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