Recorded in Hollywood

Book excerpt: Legendary Los Angeles music producer John Dolphin was one of the first and most well respected and successful black businessman and independent record label owner, well before Motown ever existed. In 1948 he open his World Famous Dolphin's of Hollywood Record Shop in Los Angeles on the legendary Central Avenue, the music mecca on the west coast. His contributions to music and the formative years of Rock'n'Roll are often overlooked. John Dolphin was the epitome of a record businessman, a big man with a big cigar, and big talk. A mini-mogul he would have nearly every facet of the record business covered. His record shop Dolphin's of Hollywood soon became the most famous record shop in America and the Dolphin's of Hollywood radio show the most popular black radio show in America. Recording artist appeared at the store and performed live on-air interviews as well as greet and signed autographs for customers. Dolphins of Hollywood record store was the first business to open 24 hours even on Sundays, also first to offer "Buy One Get One Free" for purchases of any record in the store. The creator and innovator of the crossover music concept he knew white teenagers loved black music. He went on white radio station KRKD and played a black music format, marketing black music to whites. White kids would pack the Dolphin's of Hollywood record shop in the all black neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, nightly. Dolphin hired the most deejays including famous Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg, who drew white teenagers to the shop in ever increasing numbers. Dolphin's of Hollywood radio show featuring Huggy Boy as deejay was the first to play and break the song "Earth Angel" by the Penguins and within weeks of its release it shot to the top of the charts. His contributions to music spans from Jazz to Rock'n'Roll, the many great artist who's careers he help are astonishing, artist such as Sam Cooke, Jesse Belvin, Charles Mingus, Pee Wee Crayton, Major Lance and many more. The Dolphins of Hollywood legendary DJs in the store window like Huggy Boy, Hunter Hancock, Charles Trammel, spinning records all nights. Read and discover his contributions goes beyond music, his record shop and radio show would bring together all races during a time of segregation, his protest against LAPD harassment of black business. An incredible never told story of John Dolphin's life journey to the day of his murder in 1958. A great tale of American history, African American history, Music history, and Los Angeles history all in this one story.