Label Guide: Specialty

Specialty Records was launched as Juke Box Records in 1944 by producer Art Rupe in Los Angeles. The label is noted for its rhythm & blues, blues, gospel and early rock and roll music recordings. The biggest success for Specialty was rock'n'roller Little Richard who started recording for the label in 1955 after Art Rupe bought him out of his contract with Peacock Records. One of Little Richard's first Specialty recordings, "Tutti Frutti", became an all-time classic.

During Specialty's core period of business between 1955 and 1960, the label was primarily releasing singles, and only about 15 albums were released during that time. After an extended hiatus in the 1960s, Specialty resumed album releases in 1968, usually with old material from its vaults. The label was sold to Fantasy Records in 1991 and is now part of the Concord Music Group.