Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Hello everyone! This is GN from Radiae Applis Soul. Today’s topic is Dick Griffey - Solar Records.

Dick Griffey was a record producer and music promoter who founded SOLAR Records - Sound of Los Angeles Records". The label played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s. As a concert promoter, Griffey arranged bookings for artists such as James Brown, The Sylvers, Aretha Franklin, Jon Gibson, Stevie Wonder and the Jacksons.

SOLAR Records was a record label founded in 1977 by Dick Griffey, reconstituted out of Soul Train Records only two years after it was founded with Soul Train television show host and creator Don Cornelius.

SOLAR began in 1975 as Soul Train Records, founded by Dick Griffey and Soul Train creator Don Cornelius. The first act they signed was an R&B vocal quartet they named The Soul Train Gang who performed one of Soul Train's many themes, Their first album was entitled Don Cornelius Presents The Soul Train Gang. In 1976, their second album, The Soul Train Gang, produced by Philly's Norman Harris, was released. The Gang broke up in 1977.

Griffey reorganized Soul Train Records into the newly founded SOLAR label in late 1977. Griffey and Cornelius remained good friends, and as a result SOLAR maintained close ties to the Soul Train show.

SOLAR was known for several others who enjoyed success, including: The Whispers, Dynasty, Lakeside, Midnight Star, Klymaxx, Calloway, Carrie Lucas, Collage and The Deele — which introduced singer/songwriter/producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and future music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid. Griffey had always believed in giving new talents the opportunity to create and develop their craft, and he was introduced to songwriters/producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis by his A & R rep Dina R. Andrews (Dina Andrews Management Inc) who was the team's first manager, Reggie and Vincent Calloway, and Leon F. Sylvers III.

By 1987, the label began to see its commercial fortunes decline. From 1977 to 1981, SOLAR was distributed by RCA Records, which had also distributed the Soul Train Records label during its two-year run.

Griffey died at the age of 71 on September 24, 2010. He was survived by his wife Carrie Lucas, a singer he married in 1974; four children and five grandchildren. His daughter, Carolyn Griffey, joined Shalamar in 2005. She currently performs as a member.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed today’s episode, Dick Griffey. Thanks for tuning into Radiae Applis a soul on Sound Flave.