Juggy Murray

Juggy Murray (November 24, 1923 – February 8, 2005) was an American record label owner, producer and singer-songwriter.[1] He co-founded Sue Records which launched the career of Ike & Tina Turner. Subsidiary labels under the Sue were Symbol, Broadway, Eastern and Crackerjack.[2] Murray recorded artists, including Don Covay, Jimmy McGriff, Inez Foxx, and Baby Washington, as well as releasing solo records.[3]

Juggy Murray
Birth nameHenry Murray Jones Jr.
BornNovember 24, 1923
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedFebruary 8, 2005(2005-02-08) (aged 81)
Bronx, New York City
Occupation(s)Record-label owner, producer, singer-songwriter
LabelsSue, Symbol, Crackerjack, Eastern, Juggy, Jupiter

Life and career

Murray was born in Charleston, South Carolina and raised in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. His nickname, "Juggy", derived from his near-blind grandfather, who would ask Murray to bring his favorite jug and fill it up with liquor.[1]

Murray worked in real estate in Harlem before he and producer Bobby Robinson co-founded Sue Records in 1957. Initially, they intended to sell R&B music to the African American community in New York, but in 1958 with "Itchy Twitchy Feeling" by Bobby Hendricks was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.[1]

In 1960, Murray signed Ike & Tina Turner to Sue Records. He offered a $25,000 advance for a four-year contract after hearing their demo.[1] Their debut single, "A Fool in Love", peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart and crossed over into Hot 100.[1] Their success continued with a string of hits, including "I Idolize You," "It's Gonna Work Out Fine," and "Poor Fool." Murray even managed them for a period. In 1962, Ike & Tina Turner along with Placid Music Corporation sued Murray, Sue Records and Sue's publishing affiliate Saturn Music for breach of contract and royalties.[4]

In 1962, Murray signed Barbara George to the label. He paid $25,000 for her contract from A.F.O. Records.[5][6] A.F.O. Records were distributed by Sue.[7] As the Sixties progressed, Sue's sub labels produced hits such as "Mockingbird" by brother-and-sister duo Inez & Charlie Foxx and "She Blew a Good Thing" by The Poets on Symbol Records. In July 1965, Murray signed guitarist Jimi Hendrix to an exclusive two-year contract to Sue Records, but no recordings were released.[8][9]

Sue was originally licensed by Decca Records and issued on London Records until 1964, after Murray reached an agreement with Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records.[10] After a breach of contract involving Decca issuing recordings which weren't affiliated with Sue, Murray terminated their agreement and returned to Decca in 1966.[1] In 1968, Murray took a $100,000 loan from United Artists that was secured by Sue assets. After failing to pay off the debt, United Artists assumed ownership of Sue Records masters and Saturn Music publishing. He also lost the "Sue building" which consisted of offices and Juggy Sound Studio in Manhattan.

Murray moved to California and recorded a few singles. In the 1970s, he launched Juggernaught and Jupiter Records. He released his debut album Inside America on his Jupiter label in 1976, which was popular on the UK dancefloors. The title track made the Top Forty in Britain.[1] That album was followed by Rhythm and Blues in 1977. He continued to work into the new millennium, producing and promoting up and coming artists. Speaking of Baby Washington, Murray once said, "I would rather record her than eat."[11]

Death

Murray died on February 8, 2005, at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Though Murray was 81 and suffering from Parkinson's disease, he and Baby Washington had been working on recording comeback material.

Discography

Albums
  • 1976: Inside America (Jupiter 1101)
  • 1977: Rhythm And Blues (Jupiter 1402)

Singles
  • 1966: "Soul At Sunrise" / "Just A Minute" (Sue 45-140/142)
  • 1969: "Oily" / "The Spoiler" (SUE 9)
  • 1970: "Buttered Popcorn" / "Thock It To Me Honi" (SUE 14)
  • 1972: "Built For Speed (Part 1 And 2)" / "Built For Speed (Part 1)" (Pony 1A / 1B)
  • 1976: "Inside America — Pt. I" / "Inside America — Pt. II" (Jupiter JUP-902)
  • 1976: "Disco Extraordinaire (Part I)" / "Disco Extraordinaire (Part II)" (Jupiter JUP-903)

References
  1. "Juggy Murray". The Independent. April 20, 2005.
  2. "English Issue For Sue On Island". Billboard. December 21, 1963. p. 18.
  3. Talevski, Nick (2010). Knocking on heaven's door : rock obituaries. London: Omnibus. p. 454. ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2. OCLC 804890832.
  4. "Sue Gets Sued In 330G Suit" (PDF). Billboard. November 24, 1962. p. 6.
  5. "Music As Written" (PDF). Billboard. April 21, 1962. p. 14.
  6. Simmons, Rick (2018). Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia. Jefferson, North Carolina. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-4766-6767-6. OCLC 1000050650.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. "Artist Biographies: Barbara George" (PDF). Billboard. December 18, 1961. p. 21.
  8. "Jimi Hendrix's Landmark Final Album, 'Band Of Gypsys,' Celebrated With Remastered 50th Anniversary Vinyl Editions". AP NEWS. February 6, 2020.
  9. Lawrence, Sharon (2005). Jimi Hendrix: The Man, the Magic, the Truth. Harper Collins. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-06-056299-1.
  10. "English Issue For Sue On Island" (PDF). Billboard. December 21, 1963. p. 18.
  11. Freeland, Davis (2001). Ladies of soul. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 194. ISBN 978-1-60473-727-1. OCLC 434080574. I would rather record her than eat murray.
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