State Records is a record label established by Wayne Bickerton

Wayne Bickerton

Wayne Bickerton is an English songwriter, record producer, and music business executive. He became well known, with Tony Waddington, as writer and producer of a series of UK chart hits in the 1970s for The Rubettes, and is now a leading figure in SESAC, the Society of European Stage Authors &...

, Tony Waddington and John Fruin in 1975. The label released hits by many successful artists including The Rubettes

The Rubettes

The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...

, Mac & Katie Kissoon and Delegation

Delegation (band)

Delegation was a British soul musical group with a lengthy career, and an amount of international success. They are generally viewed in the U.S. as a one-hit wonder, based on the crossover hit, "Oh Honey"...

.

History

Bickerton and Waddington's relationship started began in the 1950s, they began supporting ex-Beatles drummer Pete Best

Pete Best

Pete Best is a British musician, best known as the original drummer in The Beatles. He was born in the city of Madras, British India...

, making up the Pete Best Trio and touring around the world as a band, concluding with Bickerton and Waddington living in New York.

Upon returning to Britain Bickerton became a producer with Decca Records

Decca Records

Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....

 and Waddington joined Decca Records

Decca Records

Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....

' publishing company - Burlington Music. Shortly afterwards the two were signed to Burlington Music as a songwriting duo. Their first gold disc came with the release of Tom Jones

Tom Jones

Tom Jones is the name of:* Tom Jones , Welsh singer* Tom Jones , Australian politician representing Collie-Wellington district...

' 'Can't Stop Loving You'.

In 1973 Bickerton and Waddington penned the song 'Sugar Baby Love

Sugar Baby Love

"Sugar Baby Love", recorded in autumn 1973 and released in January 1974, is a bubblegum pop song, and the debut single of the Rubettes. Written by Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington and produced by Wayne Bickerton, engineered by John Mackswith at Lansdowne Recording Studios, "Sugar Baby Love" was...

' and recorded it with some session musicians, releasing the record under the name The Rubettes

The Rubettes

The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...

, it quickly became a number one hit. Other Rubettes hits followed, plus hits for Mac & Katie Kissoon.

The label continued to enjoy success throughout the 1970s and 1980s until 1983 when the label released their last single 'You Don't Care About I' by Elite. In total State released over 100 singles and over 20 albums between 1975 and 1983.

State found success in America too, most notably with the 1978 release 'Oh Honey' by Delegation

Delegation (band)

Delegation was a British soul musical group with a lengthy career, and an amount of international success. They are generally viewed in the U.S. as a one-hit wonder, based on the crossover hit, "Oh Honey"...

, which peaked at number 6 in the US R&B chart, the song has gone on to be sampled countless times including by artists such as Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...

 ('Boy I Need You'), Dizzee Rascal

Dizzee Rascal

Dylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...

 ('Chillin' Wiv Da Mandem') and Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...

 ('Wonder What It Do').

Notable Artists

The Rubettes

The Rubettes

The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...

Mac & Katie Kissoon

Delgation

Delegation (band)

Delegation was a British soul musical group with a lengthy career, and an amount of international success. They are generally viewed in the U.S. as a one-hit wonder, based on the crossover hit, "Oh Honey"...

Gary Benson

Gary Benson

Gary Benson is a professional poker player and sports bettor. He has won a World Series of Poker bracelet in addition to other titles as a poker player.- Early life and career :...

Rokotto

Liverpool FC Squad 1977

British Top 40 Singles

Release Date	Artist	Title	Peak Position
2nd March 1975	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	I Can Do It	7
27th April 1975	Mac & Katie Kissoon	Don't Do It Baby	10
15th June 1975	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	Foe-Dee-O-Dee	15
3rd August 1975	Gary Benson Gary Benson Gary Benson is a professional poker player and sports bettor. He has won a World Series of Poker bracelet in addition to other titles as a poker player.- Early life and career :...	Don't Throw It All Away	20
24th August 1975	Mac & Katie Kissoon	Like A Butterfly	18
16th November 1975	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	Little Darling	30
11th April 1976	Laurie Lingo & The Dipsticks	Convoy GB	4
24th May 1976	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	You're The Reason Why	28
19th September 1976	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	Under One Roof	40
6th February 1977	The Rubettes The Rubettes The Rubettes were an English pop band assembled in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, then the head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington, after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts...	Baby I Know	10
17th April 1977	Delegation Delegation (band) Delegation was a British soul musical group with a lengthy career, and an amount of international success. They are generally viewed in the U.S. as a one-hit wonder, based on the crossover hit, "Oh Honey"...	Where Is The Love (We Used To Know)	22
22nd May 1977	Liverpool Football Team	We Can Do It	15
16th October 1977	Rokotto	Boogie On Up	40