Paradise Records was a U.S. record label started by Leon Russell in 1976. The company established offices in Los Angeles. Paradise Records was the second record label company started by Russell. The first was Shelter Records started by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell that operated from 1969 to 1981. Shelter Records had offices in both Los Angeles and Tulsa, Russell's home town, where the label sought to promote a "workshop atmosphere" with a recording studio in a converted church, adjoining houses for artists working at the studio, and other facilities. Russell remained with Shelter until 1976, when he and Cordell fell out. In a settlement, Cordell then became sole owner of the Shelter Records label and Russell then departed to start his own label, Paradise Records. Leon Russell had already received five US Gold records under Shelter Records. Paradise Records had a recording studio in Burbank, California and also made music videos in the recording studio. Paradise Records was learning place for members of Concrete Blonde and Steve Ripley, both later started the country retro group, The Tractors. Leon also took the First Church of God at Third and Trenton in Tulsa and transformed it into The Church Studio. Church Studio still stands and is now home of Steve Ripley and The Tractors. Paradise Records are currently made and distributed by Warner Bros. Records. Leon Russell also released a few items on his own independent record labelLeon Russell Records, like Hymns of Christmas, while other works were released on other labels like Virgin RecordsAnything Can Happen.
Distribution History
In 1976 Paradise Records released its first album, the Wedding Album by Leon and Mary Russell. It is a studio album with his then wife, Mary Russell, otherwise known as Mary McCreary. It was distributed by Warner Bros. Records. Leon and Mary Russell were producers of the album, with the exception of the final track, "Daylight", which was produced by its writer, Bobby Womack. Leon and then-wife Mary Russell were musical guests on the May 15, 1976, episode of Saturday Night Live in its first season, hosted by Dyan Cannon.
In 1976 Leon & Mary Russell released Rainbow In Your Eyes/ Love's Supposed To Be That Way a Single
In 1976 Leon & Mary Russell released Satisfy You / Windsong a 7" Promo single.
In 1997 Leon & Mary Russell released Make Love to the Music a LP, Album
In 1977 Gary Ogan released Gary Ogan a LP, Album.
In 1977 Gary Ogan released The Road a 7" single
In 1977 Leon & Mary Russell released Say You Will 7" single
In 1977 Leon & Mary Russell released Love Crazy 7" single
In 1977 Leon & Mary Russell released Easy Love 7" single
In 1977 Gary Ogan released Make Me Sing
In 1978 Leon Russell released Elvis And Marilyn a 7" single.
In 1978 Leon Russell released Americana a LP Album
In 1978 Leon Russell released From Maine To Mexico a 7" single
In 1978 Leon Russell released Elvis And Marilyn / Anita Bryant a 12" Promo
In 1979 Leon Russell released Life And Love a LP Album.
In 1979 Mary Russell released Heart Of Fire Album
In 1979 Wornell Jones released Wornell Jones a LP, Album.