Dick Griffey

Richard Gilbert "Dick" Griffey (November 16, 1938 – September 24, 2010) was an American record producer and music promoter who founded SOLAR Records, an acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records". The label played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s. As a concert promoter, Griffey arranged bookings for artists including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jon Gibson,Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Life and career

Richard Gilbert Griffey was born on November 16, 1938, and grew up in the housing projects of Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a drummer in local clubs in his teens. After briefly attending Tennessee State University, he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He served as a medic and worked as a private-duty nurse after completing his military service.

After moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, Griffey became part owner of Guys and Dolls, a nightclub which featured performances by such rising stars as Isaac Hayes and Ike & Tina Turner. Griffey worked as talent co-ordinator on Soul Train, the musical variety show created by Don Cornelius, and together they established Soul Train Records in 1975.