Bob Blythe was an American ball point pen manufacturer and owner of BB pens. Later he was president of a record company, Tops Records, as well as founder of budget record label Sutton Records.
Background Blythe was a former vaudevillian who drove around in a yellow convertible. He would hire actors to work in his pen factory.
BB Pens He partnered up with Jack Stein, a Los Angeles surgeon. They began the pen operation in Mrs. Stein's kitchen, but as a result of making a mess in the sink, they moved it to Stein's garage. Later they were on the verge of having a $1,250,000 contract for a chain of jewelry stores signed but it didn't eventuate because a pen exploded in the face of the director of the stores. After that they had to start again. By 1949, it was forecasted that year that the company would produce 20 million pens.The Evening Independent Saturday February 5, 1949 Ball-Point Pen Is Still Big Business - Robert C. Ruark
Tops Records In 1958 Blythe was hired by Tops Records.Both Sides Now Publications Tops/Mayfair Story By Mike Callahan, David Edwards, and Patrice Eyries In early April 1959, Blythe bought into Tops Records and became the largest shareholder. At the time, Blythe who had 25 years experience in chain store merchandising was entering his first venture into the record business.The Billboard March 7, 1960 Page 14 Diners Acquire Tops Label Continued from page 2The Billboard April 6, 1959 Page 2 Penman Buys Tops Interest As of March 1960, he still retained his position, vice-president of sales. He was no longer the owner of BB Ball Point Pen Company by that time.The Billboard March 7, 1960 Page 14 Diners Acquire Tops Label Continued from page 2
In August 1960, Blythe embarked on a 3-week trip across the United States to meet with distributors.Billboard August 15, 1960 Page 23 MUSIC AS WRITTEN, New York
Sutton Records By 1963, Tops Records was in liquidation. A liquidation sale was advertised in the March 9 issue of Billboard.Billboard Page 30 Liquidation Sale
In 1963, it was reported in the March 2 issue of Billboard that Blythe had launched a new record label called Sutton Records, a subsidiary of his recently formed Sutton Enterprises. This low-budget label was one that would cater outlets serviced by rack jobbers. On board with Blythe was stockholder Manny Kopelman and sales vice-president Danny Weston.Billboard March 2, 1963 Page 6 Bob Blythe Starts New Name Talent Low-Budget LP Line
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