John Dolphin | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | John Grayton Dolphin |
Also known as | Lovin John, The Toast of the Coast |
Born | Beatrice, Alabama, US | April 9, 1902
Died | February 1, 1958 Los Angeles, California, US | (aged 55)
Occupation(s) | Record store owner, music producer, concert promoter, DJ |
Years active | 1946–1958 |
Labels | Recorded In Hollywood, Cash Records, Money Records, Lucky Records, Ball Records, Dolphin's Of Hollywood |
John Grayton Dolphin (April 9, 1902 – February 1, 1958), also known as Lovin John, was an American businessman, independent record label owner, concert promoter and music producer, who established Dolphin's of Hollywood, an influential record store that remained open 24 hours a day.[1] Dolphin was one of the first and most well respected and successful black businessmen and independent record label owners, whose contributions to the music industry, jazz, R&B, and the formative years of rock and roll have often been overlooked.