In 1974, George McCrae and T.K. Records went #1 everywhere on Earth. Every country where American records were sold, George McCrae was there and chart topping, and Henry Stone made sure of it. From Norway, to Germany, France, England, Brazil, Colombia, Angola, Italy, Canada, Spain, Portugal, and beyond.
Henry Stone distributed the record himself all over the U.S.A via his T.K. Productions company, and international distribution was licensed to RCA. Tens of millions shipped, and the Miami Sound was heard around the world.
But that’s only half the story. Just take a look at some of the classic artists and songs that McCrae displaced in order to get there. Yes, “Rock Your Baby” topped the Billboard Pop chart too, but pictured above is a great page from Cash Box Magazine that really tells the story.
Here are just some of the records that were less popular and impactful in the culture than “Rock Your Baby:”
2. Jackson Five – “Dancing Machine” – Motown
3. Eddie Kendricks – “Son of Sagittarius” – Tamla
4. Aretha Franklin – “Ain’t Nothin’ Like The Real Thing” – Atlantic
5. O’Jays – “For The Love of Money” – Philadelphia International
6. The Impressions – “Finally Got Myself Together” – Curtom
7. James Brown – “Payback” – Polydor
8. BT Express – “Do It Till You’re Satisfied” – Scepter
9. William DeVaugh – “Be Thankful For What You Got” – Roxbury
10. Main Ingredient – “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – RCA
Furthermore, Henry Stone’s other labels were represented on this end of year Top 100 chart as well. They are:
33. Betty Wright – “Secretary” – Alston
62. Clarence Reid – “Funky Party” – Alston
84. Latimore – “Let’s Straighten It Out” – Glades
95. Little Beaver – “Party Down” – Cat
From 1946 to 2014, Henry Stone ruled the Florida music industry with an iron fist, a brick of cash, and a warehouse full of vinyl. HSM is the last of over one hundred record labels he personally founded. The HSM record label includes works from every decade in his sixty-five year career right up until today. Licensing available for film, samples, advertising, movies, video games, and more. Family owned and operated.