Label It: SOLAR Records

Capitol, EMI, Atlantic - there are thousands of record labels in U.S. history alone; although most trace back to a few parent companies, the label determines a lot about the genre, era and style of the music. Although they were distributed by RCA Records, SOLAR Records was its own label that helped define the funk and soul sound of Los Angeles in the 70s and 80s.

All Aboard

While SOLAR stands for “Sound of Los Angeles Records,” the label’s story has origins in Chicago. First working as a news reporter and DJ, then later switching to TV, Don Cornelius helped spread soul music by writing, producing and hosting “Soul Train.” Originally launched as a daily show at WCIU-TV in 1970, according to NPR, Cornelius was foundational not only to the show’s success, but to the popularization of soul music.

After a year on the air, Soul Train was already such a massive triumph that it moved to Los Angeles, becoming a nationally syndicated show with Cornelius still at the helm. During the show’s run in Los Angeles, Dick Griffey worked as its talent coordinator, according to the New York Times. Before working at Soul Train, Griffey was already established in the music industry as a part owner of Guys and Dolls nightclub, which featured acts like Ike and Tina Turner and Issac Hayes, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

As the show continually gained popularity with all audiences, Cornelius and Griffey joined forces on another project in 1975, Soul Train Records. However, the title quickly changed alongside ownership. When Cornelius wanted to focus solely on the show, Griffey bought out his share of Soul Train Records and reconstituted it as SOLAR.

Movin' & Groovin'

When SOLAR was still Soul Train, the first act signed to the label was a quartet of Cornelius and Griffey’s creation - The Soul Train Gang. Although this group found some success alongside the namesake label, both were history by 1978, making way for another group’s formation under Griffey’s vision. 

Introducing Shalamar, a vocal trio whose first record, “Uptown Festival,” was a hit. Due to their popularity, two Soul Train dancers were chosen as permanent members of Shalamar (Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel), joining original singer Gary Mumford. 

The SOLAR label signed many other noteworthy acts during its run into the early 90s, including: The Whispers, Dynasty, Klymaxx and Lakeside. Despite the label’s continued success, it jumped around from distributor to distributor for most of the 80s. In 1981, Griffey formed a second label, Constellation Records, for more “contemporary” acts in comparison to the more “urban” sound of SOLAR. 

Although Constellation and SOLAR were their own labels, Constellation was formed under Elektra’s distribution, leading to the logical decision to distribute SOLAR through the same parent company. Three years later, however, Constellation and SOLAR changed distribution again to MCA Records, and Griffey reconsolidated the two to refocus on retaining a sonic theme. 

So Long SOLAR

By the 90s, SOLAR's influence dwindled, and the label was essentially defunct by the mid-90s. While the label’s history is incredibly intertwined with a range of distributors and goals from both Cornelius and Griffey, the heart of SOLAR was always in spreading soul music. As music shifted from soul to R&B and hip-hop, SOLAR didn’t fade into insignificance, but rather paved the way for future African American music to find mainstream success. 

Through both Soul Train and SOLAR, black artists were not only given a platform to perform, but they were also surrounded by those who understood their struggles and stories. From editing to management, SOLAR elevated black voices and gave them a home not exclusive to their LA namesake, but across America.