Shrine Records - The rarest of the rare...

Shrine Records was an American soul and R&B record label based in Washington, D.C. The label was cofounded in 1964 by the label's primary songwriter Eddie Singleton along with wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton (who also previously cofounded the legendary Motown Records label with ex-husband, Berry Gordy). Its headquarters was a townhouse located at 3 Thomas Circle NW within Washington, D.C.

From 1964 to 1967, Shrine released a total of twenty vinyl 45 singles comprising forty different tracks. However, none of the Shrine singles were significant hits, and the label ceased operations in 1967. Shrine's stock of unsold records was destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1968 Martin Luther King riots. As a result, very few Shrine records remain today and are highly sought-after by collectors.

In addition to the released material, a small catalog of tracks from various artists was recorded by Shrine but never issued. Fortunately, much of this previously unreleased material has been rediscovered and released on various modern-era labels such as Horace's Records, Kent Records, and Ace Records.

Notable artists involved with Shrine included Ray Pollard (who later released material on Decca), Linda Tate, Eddie Daye & The Four Bars, and The Cavaliers.

The Shrine Records logo was a line drawing of an eternal flame.



The complete discography of Shrine Records
SR-100 Linda (Tate) & Vistas – Bad Apple / He Went Away (commemorates death of JFK that same month)
SR-101 Leroy Taylor & The Four Kays – Taking My Time / I’ll Understand (1964)
SR-102 Jimmy Armstrong – I’m About To Say Goodbye / Mystery
SR-103 Ray Pollard – No More Like Me / This Time
SR-104 Cautions – Watch Your Step / Isn’t It Right
SR-105 Jimmy Armstrong – I Believe I’ll Love On / It’s Gonna Take Love (Unreleased)
SR-106 Epsilons – Mad At The World / I’m So Devoted
SR-107 D.C. Blossoms – I Know About Her / Hey Boy (1966)
SR-108 J.D. Bryant – Walk On / I Won’t Be Coming Back
SR-109 Sidney Hall – The Weekend / I’m A Lover
SR-110 Shirley Edwards – It’s Your Love / Dream
SR-111 The Cairo’s – Stop Overlooking Me / Don’t Fight It
SR-112 Eddie Daye & The Four Bars – Guess Who Loves You / What Am I Gonna Do
SR-113 Bill Dennis – I’ll Never Let You Get Away / Poor Little Fool
SR-114 Les Chansonettes – Don’t Let Him Hurt You / Deeper
SR-115 Cautions – No Other Way / Poor Loser
SR-116 Prophets – If I Had (One Gold Piece) / Huh Baby
SR-117 The Counts – Peaches Baby / My Only Love
SR-118 Enjoyables – Shame / I’ll Take You Back (1966)
SR-119 The Cavaliers – Do What I Want / Tighten Up