Age Records was a short-lived Chicago blues and R&B subsidiary label owned and operated by songwriter-producer Mel London as part of his Chief Records group. Active primarily from 1961 to 1964, it issued roughly 25 singles and focused more squarely on contemporary electric blues and emerging soul-blues sounds than the parent Chief label or the more pop-oriented Profile imprint. Although it never achieved the commercial height of larger Chicago labels, Age captured important late-period work by guitarist Earl Hooker and launched the recording career of vocalist Ricky Allen, while also documenting solid sides by A.C. Reed and others.
Founding and Ownership
Melvin R. “Mel” London (1932–1975) founded Chief Records in Chicago in 1957 after success as a songwriter for Chess artists (including hits for Willie Mabon, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters). To expand his operation he launched two subsidiaries: Profile (more pop/R&B-leaning, circa 1960) and Age (blues-focused, beginning around 1961). London owned, produced, and often wrote material for all three labels. Age operated from the same Chicago base and shared session musicians and studios (frequently Universal Recording) with the parent company. Earl Hooker served as a de-facto house guitarist and bandleader on many Age dates.
Like the rest of London’s operation, Age struggled with the distribution and cash-flow problems common to independent blues labels of the early 1960s. Chief and Profile were phased out first; Age continued a bit longer before the entire company folded in 1964. Some later related releases appeared on Mel-Lon and other small imprints, but Age itself ceased activity that year.
Notable Artists and Recordings
Age’s catalog is relatively compact yet high in quality, emphasizing strong vocals, inventive guitar work, and a bridge between classic Chicago blues and early-1960s R&B/soul.
Ricky Allen (vocals) The most prolific and commercially successful artist on Age, Nashville-born Ricky Allen (sometimes billed simply as Ricky) arrived in Chicago around 1960 and quickly became a London favorite. He cut multiple singles for the label, often backed by Earl Hooker. Key releases include:
- “You’d Better Be Sure” / “You Were My Teacher” (Age 29102, 1961) — an uptempo local favorite.
- “Ouch!” / “I Don’t Got It” (Age 29115, 1963).
- “Cut You A-Loose” / “Faith” (Age 29118, 1963) — written by Mel London; Allen’s biggest hit, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard R&B chart.
- Other titles such as “I Wanna Hear From You,” “Heartbreaking,” “Help Me Mama,” and “The Big Fight.” Allen’s soulful, passionate delivery and the tight band support made these sides standout examples of early soul-blues.
Earl Hooker (guitar) One of the finest and most versatile guitarists of the postwar era, Hooker was central to Age’s sound both as leader and sideman. His instrumentals and vocal sides remain highly prized:
- “Apache War Dance” / “This Little Voice” (Age 29101, 1961; the B-side sometimes credited with A.C. Reed).
- “Blue Guitar” / “Swear to Tell the Truth” (Age 29106, 1961/1962) — the instrumental “Blue Guitar” was later overdubbed with vocals by Muddy Waters and released by Chess as “You Shook Me.”
- “How Long Can This Go On” / “These Cotton Pickin’ Blues” (Age 29111, 1962).
- “Win the Dance” (a.k.a. “Crying Blues”) / “That Man” (Age 29114, with the Earlettes, 1962). Hooker’s fluid slide, single-note runs, and early experimentation with effects (including volume pedal and wah-like techniques) shine throughout these recordings.
A.C. Reed (saxophone, vocals) Saxophonist and singer A.C. Reed contributed several solid blues and R&B sides:
- “Come On Home” / “I Wanna Be Free” (Age 29103, 1961).
- “Mean Cop” / “That Ain’t Right” (Age 29112, 1962).
- “Whole Lotta Lovin’” (or “Lotta Loving”) / “I Stay Mad” (Age 29123, 1964) — one of the label’s final releases. Reed’s gritty tenor and straightforward vocals fit well with the Age house-band sound.
Other notable contributors
- Big Moose Walker (piano/organ, sometimes with the Jams): “Bright Sounds” (or “The Bright Sound”) / “Off the Hook” (Age 29113, 1962) — lively instrumental and vocal tracks highlighting the keyboardist’s energetic style.
- Reggie “Guitar” Boyd: “Nothing but Poison” / “Nothing but Good” (Age 29110, 1962).
- Occasional appearances or related sessions involved Jackie Brenston (of “Rocket 88” fame) and other Chicago players, some of which spilled onto the related Mel-Lon imprint.
Suggested Listening
Buy from AmazonThe Electrifying Blues Guitar Of Earl Hooker: Ride Hooker Ride 1953-1962
Legacy
Age Records represents the final, more contemporary phase of Mel London’s Chief empire. While it never scored the same early breakthroughs as Chief (e.g., Junior Wells’s “Messin’ with the Kid” or Elmore James sides), it preserved excellent work by Earl Hooker at a creative peak and gave Ricky Allen a platform that produced a genuine national R&B hit. The label’s output bridges classic electric Chicago blues and the soul-blues hybrid that would flourish later in the decade. Original Age 45s are scarce and sought after by collectors; many tracks have been reissued on compilations documenting the Chief/Age catalog and Earl Hooker’s career.
