Back Beat Records


Back Beat Records was an American record label launched in 1957 as the Houston-based soul sub-label of Duke Records, when it was run by Don Robey. ABC Records assumed ownership of Back Beat on May 23, 1973 as part of ABC's acquisition of Back Beat's parent label Duke. The label's biggest hits included "Treat Her Right" by Roy Head & The Traits, "Tell Me Why" by Norman Fox & The Rob-Roys and "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton. The last of these was the title cut of an album intended to be issued on Back Beat in December 1974, but ABC ended up issuing the album on their main label, as they had discontinued Back Beat at the last minute.
There are many records from Back Beat that found fame but not fortune, as the records are part of the underground movement known as Northern Soul. Carl Carlton probably recorded the most tracks that fall into the Northern Soul sound.

Back Beat label variations

Independent distribution