Our Blue Thumb Records Label History, Albums And Artists article is the first in a new series that looks at classic rock’s most important record labels and the albums and artists that made those labels successful. The history of record labels can be a difficult one to write because of all the mergers and acquisitions that involve record labels. This series will focus on certain labels and select artists and articles from those labels that gave those particular labels their identity. Record collectors are intrigued by record labels and their varying forms of identity printed right on the vinyl record label. It’s the old 1841 Broadway concept. For those who may not understand what that means, there are collectors who will only buy Atlantic Record albums with an 1841 Broadway address on the label because that signifies the album was printed before Atlantic Records moved their offices to 75 Rockefeller Plaza. For some that is trivial, but for others its extremely important. This should be fun.
Blue Thumb Records was first started in 1968. The record label was found by  Bob Krasnow, Tommy LiPuma and Don Graham. The label’s first signing was the brilliant Captain Beefheart In fact it was Captain Beefheart who came up with the name for Blue Thumb Records. However, it was not Captain Beefheart‘s intentions to name a record label but rather give the name to his back up band. Record label executive Bob Krasnow convinced Captain Beefheart to give his band a different name and then used Captain Beefheart’s idea to name the record label.
Blue Thumb Records lasted only ten years from 1968 to 1978. They were not a big label and had a limited roster of artists. Distribution is always a problem for small record labels. If you can’t get your product into the record stores, your not going to sell any albums. At least that the way it worked before the internet. The label started out distributing independently but then signed with Capitol/EMI distribution in 1970. The huge corporation Gulf & Western which was buying everything from supermarkets like New York Bohack’s to Paramount Movies and Television to Simon and Shuster began handling distribution of Blue Thumb Records in 1971. ABC Records eventually acquired Blue Thumb Records in the late 1970s When ABC was sold to MCA Records in 1979, Blue Thumb Records was shutdown.
Blue Thumb Records was revived in 1995. The label lasted another 10 years until Verve started to replace the Blue Thumb label with Verve Forecast. Over the years Blue Thumb Records signed a diverse cast of artists ranging from rock to folk to r&b to jazz. Below is what we believe were some of the most important albums released on the Blue Thumb label.
Strictly Personal – Captain Beefheart
The first Blue Thumb Album release. Issued in 1968
Aynsley Dunbar
Aynsley Dunbar was one of the labels most respected artists. He is also one of the most important drummers in classic rock history having worked with such legends as Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Sammy Hagar, Ian Hunter and so many more. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band Journey.
Below is a list of albums released by Aynley Dunbar on Blue Thumb Records
The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation – 1968
Doctor Dunbar’s Prescription – 1969
To Mum From Aynsley and the Boys – 1970
Ike & Tina Turner
The great team of Ike & Tina Turner released two fabulous album on Blue Thumb Records in 1969.
Outta Season – 1969
The Hunter – 1969
Dave Mason
The legendary ex member of the classic rock band Traffic signed to Blue Thumb Records in 1970. Dave Mason released 4 studio albums,1 live album and a few greatest hits packages for the label.
Alone Together – 1970
Dave Mason & Cass Elliot – 1971
Headkeeper – 1972
Dave Mason is Alive! – 1973
Split Coconut – 1975
Ben Sidran
Ben Sidran was a jazz / pop artist in similar fashion to Mose Allison.
I Lead a Life – 1972
Puttin’ in Time on Planet Earth – 1973
Don’t Let Go – 1974
The Crusaders
The Crusaders were a great jazz group that blended a bit of r&b grooves behind their material. They released more studio albums on the label than any other artist that was ever signed to Blue Thumb Records
The Crusaders 1 – 1972
Scratch – 1974
Chain Reaction – 1975
Those Southern Knights – 1976
Free as the Wind – 1977
Images – 1978
There were many artists that just released one album on the label or two at the most. The following are some more albums released by Blue Thumb that we think our readers should check out. Nit all of them were musical like the ones released by Lenny. However these were records that had an impact on pop culture and should be included as important releases by the label. They jad been listed by the year
Selected 1969 Blue Thumb Records
Unicorn – Tyrannosaurus Rex
Truckin’ with Albert Collins – Albert Collins
Sweet Black Angel – Earl Hooker
Sam Lay in Bluesland – Sam Lay‘s Bluesband
Alegria! – Bossa Rio
Selected 1970 Blue Thumb Records
Buddy and the Juniors – Buddy Guy, Junior Mance & Junior Wells
A Bad Donato – João Donato
False Start – Love Â
This one featured Jimi Hendrix
Magical Connection – Gábor Szabó
Selected 1971 Blue Thumb Records
What a Place to Land – Southwind
High Contrast – Gábor Szabó &  Bobby Womack
Where’s the Money? – Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks
Naturally – Jessie Hill
Selected 1972 Blue Thumb Records
Mark-Almond II – Mark-Almond
Radio Dinner – National Lampoon
The Barbeque of Deville – Hoodoo Rhythm Devils
Private Tonight – Arthur Adams
Stardancer – Tom Rapp
Selected 1973 Blue Thumb Records
Sylvester and the Hot Band – Sylvester and the Hot Band
Singing/Playing – Larry Carlton
The Pointer Sisters – The Pointer Sisters
At Last – The Last Poets
Can I Have My Money Back? – Gerry Rafferty
Butts Band – Butts Band – (members of the Doors)
Selected 1974 Blue Thumb Records
America, Wake Up – Paul Humphrey
The Missing White House Tapes – National Lampoon
I Am Not Afraid – Hugh Masekela
Selected 1975 Blue Thumb Records
Hear and Now – Butts Band
New Year, New Band, New Company – John Mayall
Steppin’ – The Pinter Sisters
Selected 1977 Blue Thumb Records
Having a Party – The Pointer Sisters
Come Into Knowledge – Ramp
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