Shrine Records
Encyclopedia
Shrine Records was an American
soul
and R&B record label based in Washington, D.C.
The label was cofounded in 1964 by the label's primary songwriter Eddie Singleton along with wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton
(who also previously cofounded the legendary Motown Records
label with ex-husband, Berry Gordy
). Its headquarters was a townhouse located at 3 Thomas Circle NW within Washington, D.C.
From 1964 to 1967, Shrine released a total of twenty vinyl 45 singles comprising forty different tracks. However, none of the Shrine singles were significant hits, and the label ceased operations in 1967. Shrine's stock of unsold records was destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1968 Martin Luther King riots. As a result, very few Shrine records remain today and are highly sought-after by collectors.
In addition to the released material, a small catalog of tracks from various artists was recorded by Shrine but never issued. Fortunately, much of this previously unreleased material has been rediscovered and released on various modern-era labels such as Horace's Records, Kent Records, and Ace Records.
Notable artists involved with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later released material on Decca), Linda Tate, Eddie Daye & The Four Bars, and The Cavaliers.
The Shrine Records logo was a line drawing of an eternal flame.
UK label Kent Records has issued two CD releases of both originally released and previously unreleased Shrine material: 1998's Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label (cat# CDKEND 160) followed by 2002's Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label Vol 2 (cat# CDKEND 190).
Additionally, UK label Goldmine (Soul Supply) Ltd has issued the following five vinyl 45 singles of Shrine material:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and R&B record label based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The label was cofounded in 1964 by the label's primary songwriter Eddie Singleton along with wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton
Ray Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
(who also previously cofounded the legendary Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
label with ex-husband, Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
). Its headquarters was a townhouse located at 3 Thomas Circle NW within Washington, D.C.
From 1964 to 1967, Shrine released a total of twenty vinyl 45 singles comprising forty different tracks. However, none of the Shrine singles were significant hits, and the label ceased operations in 1967. Shrine's stock of unsold records was destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1968 Martin Luther King riots. As a result, very few Shrine records remain today and are highly sought-after by collectors.
In addition to the released material, a small catalog of tracks from various artists was recorded by Shrine but never issued. Fortunately, much of this previously unreleased material has been rediscovered and released on various modern-era labels such as Horace's Records, Kent Records, and Ace Records.
Notable artists involved with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later released material on Decca), Linda Tate, Eddie Daye & The Four Bars, and The Cavaliers.
The Shrine Records logo was a line drawing of an eternal flame.
Reissues
UK label Horace's Records has issued two vinyl LPs of Shrine material: 1990's Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label (cat# HRH 101) followed by Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label, Volume 2 (cat# HRH 102). The label has also released various split-artist vinyl 45s of originally released Shrine material.UK label Kent Records has issued two CD releases of both originally released and previously unreleased Shrine material: 1998's Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label (cat# CDKEND 160) followed by 2002's Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label Vol 2 (cat# CDKEND 190).
Additionally, UK label Goldmine (Soul Supply) Ltd has issued the following five vinyl 45 singles of Shrine material:
- The Cairos: "Stop Overlooking Me" / "Don't Fight It" (cat# SRG 101)
- Eddie Daye & The Four Bars: "Guess Who Loves You" / "What Am I Gonna Do" (cat# SRG 102)
- Les Chasonettes: "Don't Let Him Hurt You" / "Deeper" (cat# SRG 105)
- DC Blossoms: "Hey Boy" / "I Know About Her" (cat# SRG 108)
- Bobby Reed: "Caldonia Brown" / "Baby Don't Leave Me" (previously unreleased track) (cat# SRG 114)