Reaction Records
Encyclopedia
Reaction Records was an independent
British
record label
, run by music executive Robert Stigwood
in 1966 and 1967. Although Reaction released only three albums, one EP and eighteen singles in its brief existence, its roster included two of the most popular British bands of the time, The Who
and Cream
. The label's first single, the Who's "Substitute", was released several times with different B-sides due to the band's legal dispute with their former record producer
, Shel Talmy
. This experience could be seen as one of the deciding factor in the Who's manager's Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp deciding to form their own Track Records
label which was also distributed by Polydor Records
. Polydor's involvement with these two "independent" labels can be seen as a learning process by Polydor who were interested in expanding their base and had little or no experience in the 1960s pop
/rock
market; at the time, most of their business was done in the easy listening
genre, as exemplified by Bert Kaempfert
.
Stigwood operated the RSO Records
label in the 1970s and 1980s. As with Reaction, RSO was distributed through Polydor Records
.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, run by music executive Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood is an impresario and entertainment entrepreneur who relocated to England in 1954...
in 1966 and 1967. Although Reaction released only three albums, one EP and eighteen singles in its brief existence, its roster included two of the most popular British bands of the time, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. The label's first single, the Who's "Substitute", was released several times with different B-sides due to the band's legal dispute with their former record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, Shel Talmy
Shel Talmy
Shel Talmy is an American record producer, songwriter, arranger best known for his work in London with The Who and The Kinks in the 1960s, with a role in many other English bands including Cat Stevens and Pentangle...
. This experience could be seen as one of the deciding factor in the Who's manager's Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp deciding to form their own Track Records
Track Records
Track Records is an English record label founded in London in 1966 by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, then managers of hard rock band The Who. The most successful artists whose work appeared on the Track label were The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Thunderclap...
label which was also distributed by Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. Polydor's involvement with these two "independent" labels can be seen as a learning process by Polydor who were interested in expanding their base and had little or no experience in the 1960s pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
market; at the time, most of their business was done in the easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
genre, as exemplified by Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
.
Stigwood operated the RSO Records
RSO Records
RSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
label in the 1970s and 1980s. As with Reaction, RSO was distributed through Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
.
Albums
- Cream: Fresh Cream (Reaction 593 001 mono/594 001 stereo)
- The Who: A Quick OneA Quick OneA Quick One is the second album by English rock band The Who, released in 1966. The American record company executives at Decca Records released the album under the title Happy Jack, rather than the sexually suggestive title of the original UK release, and due to "Happy Jack" being a top 40 hit in...
(Reaction 593 002 mono/594 002 stereo) - Cream: Disraeli GearsDisraeli GearsDisraeli Gears is the second album by British supergroup Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on the American charts...
(Reaction 593 003 mono/594 003 stereo)
Singles
- The Who: "Substitute" / "Circles" / "Instant Party" (Reaction 591 001) Released 4 March 1966
- The Who: "Substitute" / The Who OrchestraGraham BondGraham John Clifton Bond was an English musician, considered a founding father of the English rhythm and blues boom of the 1960s....
: "Waltz for a Pig" (Reaction 591 001) Re-released 14 March 1966
- The Who: "Substitute" / The Who Orchestra
- Paul DeanPaul NicholasPaul Nicholas is an English actor and singer who has had considerable success on stage, screen and in the pop charts.-Biography:Nicholas was born as Paul Oscar Beuselinck in Peterborough, England...
: "She Can Build A Mountain" / "A Day Gone By" (Reaction 591 002) - OscarPaul NicholasPaul Nicholas is an English actor and singer who has had considerable success on stage, screen and in the pop charts.-Biography:Nicholas was born as Paul Oscar Beuselinck in Peterborough, England...
: "Club Of Lights" / "Waking Up" (Reaction 591 003) - The Who: "I'm a BoyI'm a Boy"I'm a Boy" is a 1966 rock song written by Pete Townshend for his band The Who. The song, like other early recordings by the band, such as "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright" and "Happy Jack", centers around the early power pop genre...
" / "In the City" (Reaction 591 004) - Birds BirdsThe Birds (band)The Birds were a popular rhythm and blues band in the United Kingdom during the mid 1960s, although they recorded fewer than a dozen songs and released only four singles. Starting out with a hard R&B sound, they later began infusing it with Motown-style vocal harmonies...
: "Say Those Magic Words" / "Daddy Daddy" (Reaction 591 005) - OscarPaul NicholasPaul Nicholas is an English actor and singer who has had considerable success on stage, screen and in the pop charts.-Biography:Nicholas was born as Paul Oscar Beuselinck in Peterborough, England...
: "Join My Gang" / "A Day Gone By" (Reaction 591 006) - Cream: "Wrapping PaperWrapping Paper"Wrapping Paper" is a song with music composed by Jack Bruce and lyrics by Pete Brown, performed by Cream and originally released as a single in 1966 with "Cat's Squirrel" as the B side. It is featured on The Very Best of Cream...
" / "Cat's Squirrel" (Reaction 591 007) - Lloyd Banks: "We'll Meet Again" / "Look Out Girl" (Reaction 591 008)
- The Maze: "Hello Stranger" / "Telephone" (Reaction 591 009)
- The Who: "Happy JackHappy Jack (song)"Happy Jack" is a rock song from British rock band, The Who, released in December 1966 in the UK and peaking at #3. It was their first top forty hit in the USA, released in March 1967 and peaking at #24. It was included on the USA version of their second album...
" / "I've Been Away" (Reaction 591 010) - Cream: "I Feel FreeI Feel Free"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by British rock group Cream. The song's lyrics were written by Pete Brown, its music by Jack Bruce. It was the first track on the US issue of their debut album, Fresh Cream , and the band's second hit single...
" / "N.S.U." (Reaction 591 011) - OscarPaul NicholasPaul Nicholas is an English actor and singer who has had considerable success on stage, screen and in the pop charts.-Biography:Nicholas was born as Paul Oscar Beuselinck in Peterborough, England...
: "Over The Wall We Go" / "Every Day of My Life" (Reaction 591 012) - West Point Supernatural: "Time Will Tell" / "Night Train" (Reaction 591 013)
- Billy J. KramerBilly J. KramerBilly J. Kramer is a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer. In the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennon and McCartney compositions.-Early life and career:He grew up as the youngest of seven siblings and attended the St George of...
& The Dakotas: "Chinese Girl" / "Town Of Tuxley Toymaker" (Reaction 591 014) - Cream: "Strange BrewStrange Brew (song)"Strange Brew" is a 1967 song by British supergroup Cream. Released in late May of that year as the lead single from their album Disraeli Gears, this song features Eric Clapton on lead vocals rather than the usual lead by Jack Bruce. The single peaked at number 17 on the UK charts in June of that...
" / "Tales of Brave UlyssesTales of Brave Ulysses"Tales of Brave Ulysses" is a song performed by the 1960s group Cream. The lyrics were written by artist Martin Sharp, and the music was composed by Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Arranged by Robert Stigwood, the song is featured on Cream's album Disraeli Gears. Sharp had written the words on the...
" (Reaction 591 015) - OscarPaul NicholasPaul Nicholas is an English actor and singer who has had considerable success on stage, screen and in the pop charts.-Biography:Nicholas was born as Paul Oscar Beuselinck in Peterborough, England...
: "Holiday" / "Give Her All She Wants" (Reaction 591 016) - The Sands: "Mrs Gillespie's Refrigerator" / "Listen To The Sky" (Reaction 591 017)
- Marian Montgomery: "Love Makes Two People Swing" / "Monday Thru Sunday" (Reaction 591 018)