Businessman, record producer, record shop proprietor, jukebox distributor, radio presenter, composer and record company owner Stanley Joseph Lewis was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on 5 July 1927. He first set up a juke box distribution and maintenance service. He also presented a series of radio programmes highlighting rhythm and blues and gospel music.
He was 21 when he set up his first record shop in Shreveport, "Stan's", at 728 Texas Street, which cost $2,500 to purchase. As well as selling records he also acted as a ticket agency for music performances.
He became a distributor for Chess, Atlantic, Specialty and hundreds of other labels, and advertised frequently on KWKH Shreveport, KAAY Little Rock, and WLAC-AM Nashville. Among his customers were Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan.
He began producing R&B and rock and roll recordings in 1954, leasing their distribution to companies like Chess. In 1957 he was credited as co-writer of the song "Susie Q" with Dale Hawkins, one of his record shop employees.
His cousin was D. J. Fontana, the drummer who was associated with the rising career of Elvis Presley.
From 1964 he founded the Jewel, Ronn and Paula labels. His most successful release was John Fred and His Playboy Band's song "Judy in disguise with glasses". By 1973 he had 200 employees and a very busy telephone centre.
His business empire went bankrupt in 1983 and the masters of more than 1,000 records were purchased in 1999 by EMusic.com.
In 2009 he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. A series of "Stan the Record Man" festivals was held by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
Mr Lewis died in Ruston, Shreveport, on 15 July 2018, age 91.
Image: News Radio 710 KEEL
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