Battle Records (record label)


Battle Records was an American independent record label, founded as J.V.B. Records in Detroit, Michigan, United States, by the record shop owner Joe Von Battle in 1948. The label specialized in gospel music, jazz and rhythm and blues.
In 1962, the J.V.B. label was replaced by the Battle label which was taken over by Bill Grauer Productions, which also owned Riverside Records.
Among the artists who recorded for J.V.B./Battle were Rev. C. L. Franklin, his daughter Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon and Mongo Santamaria, who recorded the label's biggest hit, "Watermelon Man".
The label operated into 1966.

Discography