Dick Griffey

Dick Griffey
Dick Griffey in 1974
Born	Richard Gilbert Griffey (1938-11-16)November 16, 1938 Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Died	September 24, 2010(2010-09-24) (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, USA
Cause of death	Complications following coronary artery bypass surgery
Occupation	music executive, record producer, concert promoter, songwriter, talent coordinator
Years active	1962 - 2010

Richard Gilbert "Dick" Griffey (November 16, 1938 – September 24, 2010) was an American record producer and music promoter who founded SOLAR Records, an acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records". The label played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s. As a concert promoter, Griffey arranged bookings for artists including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jon Gibson,Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Richard Gilbert Griffey was born on November 16, 1938, and grew up in the housing projects of Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a drummer in local clubs in his teens. After briefly attending Tennessee State University, he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He served as a medic and worked as a private-duty nurse after completing his military service.

After moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, Griffey became part owner of Guys and Dolls, a nightclub which featured performances by such rising stars as Isaac Hayes and Ike & Tina Turner. Griffey worked as talent co-ordinator on Soul Train, the musical variety show created by Don Cornelius, and together they established Soul Train Records in 1975.

Griffey formed his own label, SOLAR Records (an acronym for Sound of Los Angeles Records) in 1977. Music critic Stephen Holden, of The New York Times, predicted a bright future for the label in the pop market, writing a profile under the headline "Solar Could Be the Motown of the 80's". SOLAR acts included Shalamar, which produced such hits as "The Second Time Around" and "This Is for the Lover in You". With The Whispers, SOLAR released such hits as "And the Beat Goes On" (co-written by Griffey) and "Rock Steady". Other acts signed by SOLAR during the 1980s were The Deele, Dynasty, Klymaxx, Lakeside, Midnight Star and The Whispers. As a promoter, Griffey booked tours for artists including James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson, earning the moniker "Kingpin of Soul Promoters".