Meteor Records was formed in 1952 by Lester Bihari (a younger brother of the Bihari brothers, who formed Modern/RPM/Flair in 1945). This location was a record store and recording studio. Meteor Records Went out of business in May, 1957. Its artists included: Junior Thompson, Charlie Feathers, Wayne McGinnis, Jimmy Haggett, Mac Sales, Mason Dixon, the Velvetones, Smokey Hogg, BB King, Elmore James, and William Bell with Del Rios. It was a one stop record company. Elmore James and Rufus Thomas cut some legendary recordings at 1794 Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, just down the street from Plastic Products, who pressed and mastered Rockabilly records for Meteor, Sun, and others. In 1956 the likes of Charlie Feathers and Malcolm Yelvington and others were singing under the sign that read:

Elmore James cut "I Believe" another version of "I Believe I'll Dust My broom" which he had cut earlier in Jackson, Ms. before taking off before and leaving the Jackson Ms recording co. with just one side of a single. At Meteor he cut I Believe / I Held My Baby Last Night and Sinful Woman / Baby, What's Wrong.

Les Bihari invited Charlie Feathers to visit his studio on Chelsea Avenue to cut a demo. In the Meteor studio on 1794 Chelsea Avenue they recorded two new songs, "Tongue Tied Jill" and "Get With It" using only one mike and then Charlie returned to Sam Phillips with the tape. Sam Phillips showed little interest in the recordings but Bihari was impressed enough to release the songs. The single did good local business and furthered Charlie's fame in the mid-south resulting in an appearance on the Wink Martindale Dance Party on Channel 13 where he sang Tongue Tied Jill and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Charlie's Meteor single became the record for which he would is remembered and revered.

Malcolm Yelvington and his band turned up at Meteor Records, cutting music under the name "Mac Sales and the Esquire Trio" to avoid a lawsuit by Phillips, who still held their contract. They cut a regional hit "Yakity Yak".

As a teenager future Stax artist William Bell and his group "Del Rios", who were the one of the hottest groups in Memphis, won second prize at the annual Mid-South talent contest in 1955 or 1956. The prize was a trip to Chicago for a gig and a one record deal at Meteor Records in Memphis. At Meteor "Del Rios" recorded two Bell penned tunes "Alone On A Rainy Night" and the flip side "Lizzie". The "Del Rios" were backed by Rufus's band "the Bearcats"

Lester Bihari and his wife at the studio front in Memphis

BACK TO STUDIO PAGE

©2002 Joe Terry

HOME || NEWS || LINKS || MEDIA || CONTACT US