Modern Records was a pioneering independent American record label founded in Los Angeles in 1945 by the Bihari brothers. Specializing in rhythm and blues, blues, and related styles, it became one of the most important postwar labels for Black music, releasing influential recordings that helped shape early rock and roll. The company operated under the name Modern Music Records initially before shortening it to Modern, and expanded through subsidiaries including RPM, Flair, Meteor, Crown, and later Kent.
Founding and Ownership
The Bihari brothers—Jules, Saul, Joe, and (to a lesser extent) Lester—were the sons of Hungarian Jewish immigrants. Jules Bihari worked servicing jukeboxes in Los Angeles’s Black neighborhoods (particularly Watts) and recognized a shortage of suitable blues and R&B records for the machines. In 1945, Jules, Saul, and Joe founded Modern to fill that gap. They quickly built an integrated operation that included their own pressing plant and distribution network, giving them greater control than many rivals.
The brothers divided responsibilities: Jules focused on talent and recording, Saul on manufacturing, and Joe on scouting (especially in the South and Memphis). Ike Turner served as an important talent scout and session musician for the label in the early 1950s, helping bring artists such as B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Rosco Gordon, and Howlin’ Wolf into the fold. The Biharis were known for aggressive business practices, including frequent use of songwriting pseudonyms (e.g., Jules Taub, Joe Josea, Sam Ling) that credited them on many compositions.
Modern thrived in the late 1940s and 1950s but faced increasing competition and financial pressures. In 1958 the brothers shifted primary activity to the Kent label and largely ceased new Modern singles. A brief revival occurred in the mid-1960s (notably with the Ikettes), but the company eventually went bankrupt. The catalog was later licensed and then sold to Ace Records (UK), which has extensively reissued the material.
Notable Artists and Recordings
Modern and its subsidiaries recorded a wide array of blues, R&B, and early rock and roll talent. Here are key figures with specific examples:
John Lee Hooker One of the label’s earliest and biggest blues successes. His raw, hypnotic style defined early Modern hits:
- “Boogie Chillen’” (Modern 627, 1948) — a massive R&B No. 1 that became a blues standard.
- “Crawlin’ King Snake” (Modern 714, 1949).
- “I’m in the Mood” (Modern 835, 1951) — another major R&B chart-topper.
B.B. King Joe Bihari and Ike Turner were instrumental in bringing King to the label (primarily on the RPM subsidiary). Early sides helped establish him as a star:
- “Three O’Clock Blues” (RPM, early 1950s) — a major hit that boosted his national profile.
- “You Know I Love You,” “Everyday I Have the Blues,” and numerous other singles that showcased his single-note guitar style and emotive vocals. King’s Modern/RPM output remains foundational to his legacy.
Etta James Signed as a teenager, she scored major early hits on Modern:
- “The Wallflower” (also known as “Roll with Me Henry” or “Dance with Me Henry”) (Modern 947, 1955) — an R&B No. 1 answer song to Hank Ballard’s “Work with Me Annie,” featuring the Peaches.
- “Good Rockin’ Daddy” (Modern 962, 1955) — another strong seller. These recordings launched her career before she moved to Chess/Argo.
Other major blues and R&B artists
- Pee Wee Crayton — “Blues After Hours” (Modern 624, 1948), an R&B No. 1 instrumental.
- Elmore James — Powerful slide-guitar sides, including material issued on Flair and related imprints (e.g., “Happy Home”).
- Lightnin’ Hopkins and Lil’ Son Jackson — Masters purchased from Gold Star and issued on Modern.
- Jimmy Witherspoon, Smokey Hogg, Little Willie Littlefield, Rosco Gordon, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Howlin’ Wolf (early sides leased or recorded via Memphis connections).
- Jesse Belvin — The ballad “Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)” (Modern 1005, 1956), a major R&B hit.
- Joe Houston — Instrumental hits such as “Blow, Joe, Blow.”
- Vocal groups including the Jacks/Cadets (“Why Don’t You Write Me,” “Stranded in the Jungle”) and the Teen Queens (“Eddie My Love”).
Later and related activity In the mid-1960s revival, the Ikettes (associated with Ike & Tina Turner) scored hits such as “Peaches ’N’ Cream” and “I’m So Thankful” on Modern. Little Richard also appeared on later issues.
Suggested Listening
Buy from Amazon Dirty Work Going On: Kent & Modern Records Blues Into The 60s Vol 1
Buy from AmazonThe Modern Records Blues Story
Legacy
Modern Records stands as one of the most important independent labels of the postwar era. By focusing on blues and R&B that the major companies largely ignored, the Bihari brothers helped document and popularize the music that fed directly into rock and roll. The label’s early hits by John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Etta James, and others remain cornerstones of American music history. Despite controversies over business practices and songwriting credits, the sheer volume and quality of the Modern/RPM/Flair catalog—now extensively reissued by Ace—ensure its lasting influence on blues, R&B, and popular music.
