A publisher is writing the story of Jerry Dennon and Northwest music of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  He wanted to have a photo of the group The Frantics and Dolton Records owner Bob Reisdorff. I found one taken in 1959 at the KGW radio studios in Portland with Bob (shown on the left in the photo), the band and myself.

Bob and singer Bonnie Guitar formed the company. It was originally called Dolphin Records but there was a record company by that name in Florida so they changed it to Dolton Records.  Bonnie recorded Candy Apple Red on the label and she signed the Fleetwoods from Olympia (Mr. Blue, Tragedy, and Come Softly to Me) plus Tacoma band The Ventures (Walk Don’t Run and Hawaii 5-0). In addition they signed a singer named Vic Dana.

The company was outrageously successful and Bob and Bonnie never had to worry again financially as they eventually sold all the masters to Liberty Records in California.  It was a wonderful era where if you had talent you could get a record out and the proliferation of small labels throughout Canada and the U.S. made it possible for many more artists to be heard.