Bobbin Records was an American, St. Louis–based independent record label, founded by blues musician Little Milton and KATZ-AM disc jockey Bob Lyons in 1958. The label was instrumental in exposing Milton and other local artist to wider audiences. As the head of A&R, Milton recruited Albert King, Oliver Sain, and Fontella Bass to record for Bobbin. Bobbin was eventually distributed by the Chess Records.
The Bobbin catalog consists of 44 records between 1958 and 1963. The first release on the label was Milton's "I'm A Lonely Man" in 1958 which sold 60,000 copies. Altogether Milton released seven singles on the label, including two that were released after Leonard Chess bout out Lyons and signed Milton and other artists on Bobbin to his Checker Records label.
In October 1961, Bobbin released Albert King's "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" which featured musician Ike Turner on piano. The single did well enough locally that King Records leased the recording from Bobbin and released it as a single the next month. It became King's first hit, peaking No.14 on the Billboard R&B chart.
In 1996, Ace Records released the compilation CD St. Louis Blues Revue: The Classic Bobbin Sessions.
Discography highlights +Catalog No.Release dateSingle (A-side, B-side)ArtistNotes101Nov 1958A: "That Will Never Do" B: "I'm A Lonely Man"Little Milton102Jan 1959A: "Limited Love" B: "Unlimited Love"Roosevelt Marks Orchestra With Clayton Love103Feb 1959A: "Long Distance Operator" B: "I Found Me A New Love"Little Milton105Mar 1959A: "Rock And Roll Blues" B: "Gamblin' Man"Jules Blattner And His Teen TonesBillboard review (Mar 30, 1959)106May 1959A: "Midnight Jump" B: "Bring Your Clothes Back Home, Baby"Walter J. Westbrook and his Phantom Five108May 1959A: "Bye Bye, Baby" B: "Mistreated"Roosevelt Marks Orchestra With Clayton Love112Sep 1959A: "Strange Dreams" B: "I'm Tryin'"Little Milton114Oct 1959A: "Ooh-Ee Baby" B: "Why Are You So Mean To Me?"Albert KingCash Box review (Nov 7, 1959)117Nov 1959A: "Hold Me Tight" B: "Same Old Blues"Little MiltonCash Box review (Dec 5, 1959)124Sep 1960A: "It's Best To Know Who You're Talking To" B: "I Don't Want No Woman"Grandpappy Gibson126Sep 1960A: "Let's Have A Natural Ball!" B: "Blues At Sunrise"Albert King129Jan 1961A: "I Walked All Night Long" B: "I've Made Nights By Myself"Albert KingCash Box review (Feb 4, 1961)131Oct 1961A: "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong" B: "This Morning"Albert King"Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong" was leased to King Records (R&B No. 14)132Feb 1962A: "Give Me Your Love" B: "Gotta Find My Baby"Delores Johnsonwritten by Ike Turner produced by Ike & Tina Turner133Apr 1962A: "Hucklebuck Twist" B: "Harlem Nocturne"Oliver SainBillboard review (Apr 21, 1962)134Apr 1962A: "I Don't Hurt Anymore" B: "Brand New Love"Fontella BassBillboard review (Apr 21, 1962)135Jun 1962A: "I Get Evil" B: "What Can I Do To Change Your Mind"Albert King139Oct 1962A: "Heavy Sugar" B: "Eastside Blues"Oliver Sain140Sep 1962A: "Honey Bee" B: "Bad Boy"Fontella Basswith Oliver Sain's Orchestra Billboard review (Sep 15, 1962)
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