Juggy Murray

Juggy Murray (November 24, 1923 – February 8, 2005) was an American record label owner, producer and singer-songwriter. He co-founded Sue Records which launched the career of Ike & Tina Turner. Subsidiary labels under Sue were: Symbol, Broadway, Eastern and Crackerjack. Murray recorded artists Don Covay, Jimmy McGriff, Inez Foxx, and Baby Washington, as well as releasing solo records.

Life and career Murray was born in Charleston, South Carolina and raised in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. His nickname, "Juggy", derived from his near-blind grandfather, who would ask Murray to bring his favorite jug and fill it up with liquor.

In 1962, Murray signed Barbara George to the label. He paid $25,000 for her contract from A.F.O. Records. A.F.O. Records were distributed by Sue. As the Sixties progressed, Sue's sub labels produced hits such as "Mockingbird" by brother-and-sister duo Inez & Charlie Foxx and "She Blew a Good Thing" by The Poets on Symbol Records. In July 1965, Murray signed guitarist Jimi Hendrix to an exclusive two-year contract to Sue Records, but no recordings were released.

Sue was originally licensed by Decca Records and issued on London Records until 1963. When Murray reached an agreement with Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records. to issue Sue US recordings under a new Sue Records imprint in the UK. Some time after a breach of contract involving Sue Records UK issuing recordings that were not affiliated with Sue Records (US), Murray terminated their agreement and returned to Decca in 1966.

Death Murray died on February 8, 2005, at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Though Murray was 81 and suffering from Parkinson's disease, he and Baby Washington had been working on recording comeback material.

Discography

Albums

1976: Inside America (Jupiter 1101) 1977: Rhythm And Blues (Jupiter 1402)

Singles

1966: "Soul At Sunrise" / "Just A Minute" (Sue 45-140/142) 1969: "Oily" / "The Spoiler" (SUE 9) 1970: "Buttered Popcorn" / "Thock It To Me Honi" (SUE 14) 1976: "Inside America — Pt. I" / "Inside America — Pt. II" (Jupiter JUP-902) 1976: "Disco Extraordinaire (Part I)" / "Disco Extraordinaire (Part II)" (Jupiter JUP-903)